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Do I need to look into this? little progress in y4 and again y5

4 replies

earwig1 · 04/07/2013 09:54

My y5 was 3b in y3, 3a y4 and 4c in year 5 in Reading, that's only one sublevel per year. Her writing has improved 2 sublevels per year, and it's been ahead of reading all this time. Should I look into this? This is clearly not good progress, especially considering the disparity with writing... usually it's the other way round, with writing behind reading? She's not a concern at school because she's doing fine, but I'm not happy thinking there might be a problem we are missing...I hate this system!

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PastSellByDate · 04/07/2013 10:34

Hi earwig:

I'd definitely raise this with the teacher. 4c is NC Level 4 standard (government notional target for average pupil) - so she's well on track - but if there is no obvious problem, then slow progress is concerning.

How much reading does she do at home?
Does she only read one type (genre) of story or a range?
Does she read classic children's literature - which might stretch her?
Does she belong to a library/ get regular access to reading material?

Several things occur - but first and foremost - doing more reading is actually fairly straightforward the question is comprehension (which usually is included in the 'reading' category).

So it may be your DD reads fine but when it comes to it she's not able to recall key facts about what she has read (maybe forgets characters names, doesn't fully understand emotions/ subtext and/or may not fully follow the plot.

If this is the problem, then I'd seriously suggest trying to also be involved in reading at home yourself:

Have your DD read to you - but ask her if she understands more difficult words or what she thinks about a characters behaviour or decisions. As what she thinks will happen next or why would someone decide to do that? Get her thinking beyond just reading out words.

Consider looking into reading comprehension materials (the 11+ has lots of resources for this kind of thing available at most book shops) but the school may also be able to recommend something.

I have also realised that if you type in the name of the book, quite often there are free comprehension worksheets with books (e.g. Lion, Witch & Wardrobe - www.cslewis.org/resource/) - so always worth trying to see what you can find. Sometimes you can get worksheets - but without answers. This used to panic me at first, but then I just relaxed about whether we were getting 'the right answer' and decided it was more worthwhile to go through the process, right or wrong, to help DD1 with comprehension.

Finally many libraries have summer reading schemes which aren't just about reading books, but include worksheets/ book report forms/ etc... - it may be worth going along to your local library and see what they've got planned for this summer.

Links to great book lists:

The Book Trust
www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/children/
scroll down below pictures and select Book Finder - then select age & then you can explore books by genre.

Guardian Children's library - ages 8 - 11
www.guardian.co.uk/books/2000/mar/24/childrens.library
all sorts of great recommendations

Richard & Judy Children's Book Club
www.richardandjudy.co.uk/childrens-current-reads/Autumn-2012/229 - archive of book selection also through menus on bottom left.
Looks like it isn't being updated now - but still some great books there.

Guardian/ Observer - recommended reads ages 8 - 10:
www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/oct/23/recommended-reads-children-8-10

& recommended reads ages 10 - 13: www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/oct/23/recommended-reads-children-11-13

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My advice would be to keep reading simmering along over the summer - and really try to make a point 3-4 times a week to sit with your DD and discuss what she's reading, listen to her read & ensure that tricky words don't just get ignored/ glossed over - but that you really enjoy the process of discovering new words, their meaning & their origin.

HTH

earwig1 · 04/07/2013 10:44

Brilliant suggestions there, thanks! She reads quite a lot, every night, and I encourage variety. She's just read Jaqueline Wilson Hetty Feather books, right now she's loving Alice in Wonderland, also Eva Ibbotson, Harry Potter books, comics... but when it comes to reading tests she doesn't seem to come up with the relevant answers. I'll follow your suggestions!

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PastSellByDate · 04/07/2013 10:54

Hi earwig1:

Yep - it sounds like comprehension:

So for example just typing in Alice in Wonderland worksheets on google gets you:

www.penguinreaders.com/pdf/downloads/pr/activity-worksheets/9781405878234.pdf

www.michellehenry.fr/carroll.htm

www.superteacherworksheets.com/reading-comp/5th-alice-wonderland.pdf - this is a preview - so some questions blocked out - but answers are there - and lots of good ideas there.

www.insideout.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/NAIO_e-lesson_Alice_in_Wonderland_220310S1.pdf

If you sign up to TES (Times Education Supplement) you can download teacher resources as well. (this is free - but meant for teachers).

That's quite a start - and just sitting with her and discussing difficult words and elements of the story will be beneficial as well!

HTH

earwig1 · 04/07/2013 11:44

That's just fantastic, thank you so much for taking the time! Flowers

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