Would this bother you?

[Cat98]

Ds (year 1) doesn't seem to get his reading book changes or listened to very often. I have no concerns wrt his reading and we read books at home, but I'm just wondering if there should be more reading at school. Some friends at a different school have new books every couple of days.
He brought home a book last weekend after a long wait, and it was a book he'd had before. We read it again and I sent it back on Monday with a note in the reading record that he'd had it before but we've had nothing since. I appreciate they're all busy with end of half term stuff, just wondered if it was usual. He had a lot more books home in year R.
No other issues with school (yet!) so I'm wondering if im overreacting to be a bit concerned.
Thanks!

I'd check what the school's normal procedure for changing reading books is.

Maybe he is meant to be changing the books himself, or waving it in front of the teacher when he wants a new one?

How often children read at school varies a lot by school, but less than once a week would probably be the minimum I'd hope for (guided reading in an appropriate level group)

Also remember, that if you want more books, it's fine to go to the library and just read whatever you want at home.

DD (yr1) gets 3 books a week (2 school ones and 1 library one) every Friday.

She does guided reading every Monday (although at a level way below what she is on) and has been listened to maybe 3 or 4 times 121 by the teacher. However the school have just started using bug club so she has books on that too.

Tbh I don't think it would bother me as long as I had the feeling that the teacher knew my child's level of reading and what they needed to do to improve iyswim.

I would just keep providing your own books instead and record them in the reading diary.

Thanks. The teacher told us at the beginning of term to bring it back when they've finished it and we'd get a new one. In practice there's a week to two weeks between receiving a new book. The teacher has listened to him twice so far this half term according to the reading diary, a parent helper twice and a TA once.
I am happy to get him books myself - we're signed up to reading chest and visit the library often so it's no problem. It was more if its indicative of a problem at school.
ds says he doesn't do much reading at school but I take his comments with a pinch of salt as he forgets stuff he's done all the time!
I'll just see how it goes, his reading is definitely improving so I suppose that's the main thing! Parents evening soon so I'll see what the teacher knows about how he's doing.
Thanks all.

In my DD's school she has the chance to change her reading book every day (currently Y1 but was same in reception). The teacher simply has a box of books for each book band and the children can help themselves to a new one each morning so it's not hard for the teachers to operate.

I don't think I would be happy with that. One book every week to two weeks is not a lot at all. I would have a word with the teacher, and find out what is going on there. You hear so much about the importance of parents reading at home with their DC, the school should surely be encouraging that as much as possible?

is it that he is on longer books so they think he is reading lots at home and so aren't so worried about giving him new ones?

my Yr1 DD gets a book change/reads 3 times a week but she takes her own books in now.

I personally think they should be listened to at least twice a week and certainly have 2-3 book changes a week if they need them. I would raise it with the teacher, I don't think it is an unreasonable question to ask. You need to know how to highlight it to them when he has finished his book, does he need to show it to them in the morning or put it in a box somewhere so they will log it and so on.

When he's finished his book he hands it to the ta on the door in the morning in his special book bag. Dh and I drop him at school and see him do it.
He is on longish books but I'm pretty sure there are others in the class in a similar position so I wouldn't say he's miles ahead in reading - though it's quite possible they are focusing on children that need more support.
I will mention it - just wary about keeping the teacher onside - not making a pain of myself by fussing about the little things! But I agree this might need addressing.

well it shouldn't really come down to them focusing on the other children who might be behind. I mean I would be ok if my daughter read twice a week say and others read more if they were finding it harder or were EAL or had less support at home but I would still expect her to be able to read and also change her book if needed.

Perhaps they don't think about how quickly he is getting through the books.

I think if you word things right then it doesn't have to sound like a complaint. Could you ask maybe for 2 books each monday or something so that he has a couple to get through the week? that way they don't have to change them every day/2 days but he still has some to do?

I worry about being a pain - I have 2 kids, one of whom always has a major issue with something or has forgotten something or needs something (a complex child) and I find myself having to decide which is the biggest issue for me to have to try and sort out based on how hysterical she gets about stuff. I worry the teachers must think 'oh no not them again, not another note in the bag' and so on but as my DD is upset then I feel it is important they know she is upset and can help her deal with it or sort it out rather than me try and firefight at home about things I haven't been in the classroom to see etc. I also think that if it comes down to my child's development then yes take a step back and see if it is a blip for a week or so or is it an ongoing thing and then decide to mention it. I think as long as parents are respectful to teachers, which I always try to do, then hopefully they will just see it as you being supportive not a nuisance. Asking for more than 1 book at a time means you aren't giving them more work to do on different days but you are ensuring your child gets enough reading from school.

that's a good idea thanks, and a useful post.
I think deep down I can be a bit pfb about ds (he's an only) so I often lack judgement as to how important perceived issues actually ARE - this is where MN is so useful!
Also ds's year R teacher was totally fab and really liked ds, I felt - she would often call me over at the end of the day (and other parents too) to mention something particularly amusing/nice/good he'd done that day, this year there's not anywhere near that level of communication, which I totally understand as they're so busy, I just think we were spoilt last year

It's a common gripe, and no, I would not be happy either.