I have heard Reading is usually higher than Writing...can anyone confirm?

[earwig1]

My DD has finished Y4 with a level 4c for writing and 3a for reading. Teachers always comment on her really good writing, but now I am a bit confused as her reading is not considered as good, as I thought t would be...I'd like to know if this is quite common. She has been in the top group for literacy all year, and I thought she was doing better, and she does enjoy reading, especially poetry which she just adores...

...we are a bilingual family, by the way, I don't know it it would make a difference...

In my experience it is often the other way around- but everyone is different

DS's reading is most definitely well ahead of his reading. His reading is fantastic, his writing is . . . improving! He's just finishing Y3. He'll probably be writing in pencil until he starts at the comp!

Urgh. His reading is well ahead of his writing. Bah!

DS's reading is well ahead of his writing. 2a for reading, 1a for writing (Year 1).

OP, I think those results just show that your DD's reading is just fine but here writing is very, very good for her age.

Like others, we were in the opposite camp as DS was a good reader who barely wrote 2 consecutive sentences until he went to secondary.

My dd has always had the same nc grade for reading as writing. Ds, however always seems to do better in writing. But he never shows much enthusiasm for books (apart from superhero or Lego ones) and is more interested in writing his own (Lego or superhero) stories.

Yes DS (Year 1) is a 3c reading and a 2c writing so a huge difference there.

His teacher said it is often the case, in particular with young readers who are a high level. He said in DSs case it is the content - in particular the variety of word choices are what hold him back with regards to levels. In fact his writing has not gone up even a sub-level in the last term unlike the other subjects.

It sounds as if she is doing absolutely fine anyway!

My year 5 dd has just finished the year on 5c for reading and 4a writing, my little one in year one has finished the year on 1c for both reading and writing.

Your dd sounds like shes doing fantastic with those levels

thanks, everyone...I hope it's ok and there is nothing we are missing that explains it... How do they mark reading?

Earwig, it's a comprehension test. They read a booklet with various writing styles and answer questions on it. Some are basic 'what does it say in the text' some asking about choice of words etc. The teacher assessment will include guided reading performance etc as well as the test result.

My year 3 was at one point ahead with writing and I to thought it to me unusual. She's evened out towards the end of the year. She is more of a sight reader and has had less experience with phonics. I think being more consistent with her home readers has helped. Is 1 sub level that much of a difference?

thanks, I was getting a bit worried. I want to help her achieve level 5 at Y6, so I suppose she's on track...

Hi - exTA here:

Reading involves 'decoding' to workout or recognise the words, then 'understanding' to know what the words mean.

I would certainly agree with other replies, that it sounds like she is doing fine, but in my experience most children are better at READING, than they are at WRITING. Young children can find pencil control, and forming the letter shapes difficult, so any creative ideas they might have get suppressed by the mechanics of writing. Or a child may be shy to really express their ideas or feelings on paper. Once, I had a small group of less-able Year 2 boys who couldn't get anything down on paper. But when I offered to type it if they dictated something to me, then the ideas really started to flow, and they felt pleased with their achievement.

The bilingual aspect may make some difference, particularly if there is a cultural difference as well. If DD reads stories in both languages she may absorb any cultural difference, and thus be able to express herself more confidently.

If you want to boost her reading, use unusual texts - quality newspapers, magazines; travel or estate agent brochures, etc. Invite plenty of comment and observations; and give plenty of praise and encouragement.

It may be she has a great imagination and writing allows her to express this. Reading is far more about reading and understanding. 3A is good and above NE for year 4 so she is doing just fine. She can obviously draw information from texts.

Children do vary loads, my yr 3 DS (7) has just got 2B for writing and 3B for maths. He's a 2A reader.

Thank you all! that's really helpful www.mumsnet.com/emo/te/thanks.png