Level 2C??

[Sopster]

Hi all,

My DS is 5.11 and just started Year 1. I go in to read with his class and in his reading notes this week it said 'coped well with Level 1a and 2C'. I have NO idea what that means and his teacher wasn't in to ask (plus I don't really like to abuse my time there to ask about my son!). His reading book is purple-level 8 now. Does anyone know what it means?? Thanks

He's doing fine - SATS are measured level 1, 2, 3 etc.....then sub levels so 1c 1b 1a - then level 2 2c 2b 2a and then up to level 3 - so by end of years 2 they are expected to achieve level 2b - 3a

Hope that makes sense? It was all different in my day too!

Levels go 1C, 1B, 1A, 2C, 2B, 2A etc all the way up to level 8 which will be reached by high performers in secondary school.

We were told that the average levels at the end of years are as follows:

Year 2 2B
Year 4 3B
Year 6 4B

So, he's doing really well if he's achieving 2C at the beginning of Year 1

Hes doing fantastic if hes at that level already :)

2C at this stage in year 1 is very good.

Agree, I only have two of those in my class, it is a great achievement in year 1.
Purple is 2c. There's a big difference between 1a and 2c though. To be secure at a 2c, children need to be able to answer questions about what they have read, quite hard questions. Also they need to be able to infer, ie what might have caused xxxxx to happen? What would have happened if xxx hadn't done that? Etc. also they need to be able to link what they have read to their own experience ie 'this reminds me of when I ....... ' or 'this is like the three bears' or something like that. (among other things!)
But it means they are above the national average already (1a at end of year 1).

All you have to do now is help the teacher get the rest of the class to the same level!!

DS (6) is 1C (on orange), and I think that's pretty good! I was sort of hoping he would be on purple by the end of year 1.....

Thanks everyone. Wow. I feel quite chuffed for the little man! I am aware he is doing pretty well within his class. There is on lad a couple of levels above him (!!) and a little girl on purple as well but definitely most on about yellow, blue or green but I was unaware how well he was doing from a National Curriculum point of view. His comprehension is pretty good but from what you say Goonatic I doubt he is a really solid 2C yet. Thanks so much for all your answers.

radical I would be delighted with your DS on orange, please send him my way!

Sopster you are privy to confidential information about the other children in your son's class. This is why I am really against mums helping in their own child's class.

Some mothers (not saying you ) would spread the info around the playground.

Alcofrolic - not sure if that was a criticism of me or not! However I can say that I take helping out very seriously as do the school. We practically have to sign a confidentiality style agreement!! I don't think posting on Mumsnet with complete anonymity counts! I would be booted out pretty quickly if I started discussing other children's ability in the playground. The whole thing would be a complete secret if it wasn't for the children going home saying ''so and so's mummy came in today to read!"

Thank you Goonatic!

No, it wasn't a criticism of you, but I think it highlights the danger of working in your child's class. Mumsnet is great because it's an anonymous forum.

However, unlike you, some parents working in their children's classes would be spreading confidential information like confetti! That's why I think that working with other classes other than your own child's is safer (for the teachers and other parents!)

I have come across parents who go in to help with reading purely and simply to 'bookbag snoop'. I started off volunteering in a different class to my son but he has now moved up into the class I help in. I implement a program for readers who need a bit of support (better reading partnership) with two children in his class (mixed y1/2) but also go to the mixed YR/1 class and read with the year 1s in there.

OP, I also listen to children read in my DD's class. She's in a mixed 1/2 class (she's y1) and she's the furthest ahead level wise. She's reading lime level with ease. I've heard grumblings in the playground about the fact that I move children on a level when I feel the need and that I've moved my DD ahead of the rest of the class when she shouldn't be, when in fact it's the teacher who levels the children as you'd expect! You'll learn to ignore the criticism from the other parents.

Your DS sounds like he's doing really well too. It might be worth asking the teacher for a quick run through of levels though if you're helping out in the class. Our teachers always give parent helpers half an hour at the beginning of every other term to explain what's happening regarding levels etc