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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

I know, I know... Book band levels.

15 replies

Galena · 04/12/2013 16:10

I know it's been done a million times before and I know it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things but I'm confused...

DD has brought home 'The Bear That Wouldn't Growl' from the Heinemann Storyworlds scheme. On their website it says that this book is on purple book band. However, here on their website they put it at orange book band.

DD's school has put a green sticker on the spine, and then a smaller orange sticker on it over the green one.

So... purple, orange or green? What do you think?

And no, it doesn't matter, and yes, she's doing well and no, I'm not comparing her to others in the class and no, I'm not going to brag about it on FB, the playground or anywhere else.

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TheCurseOfFenric · 04/12/2013 16:18

You could try looking at reading chest, as they have examples of texts from each book band, so you could match up the content?

It's not a book I'm familiar with, but I would be inclined to go with the orange/green school banding, as that is what counts, imo - how difficult the school perceive it as.

What book bands have other books home been? Eg if she is a consistent orange level, then I wouldn't expect a sudden jump to purple, as skipping an entire level is not usual . If she is a consistent purple, then I would ask why she had a green/orange (which could be for a whole load if reasons like examine he text more closely etc)

TheCurseOfFenric · 04/12/2013 16:20

Oh, and bugger the po-faced ones. Brag if you want to, she's doing brilliantly whichever way you look at it.

Iamnotminterested · 04/12/2013 16:35

Not if she's in year 6...

Original poster

Galena · 04/12/2013 16:40

She's in YR. She's doing well.

She's been on green since the start of the year, and reads them easily (is reading Little Animal Ark and Fairy Animals of Misty Wood independently with good understanding at home). I was just wondering whether they might possibly have moved her up... We'll have to see what others come home. Yesterday's book had an orange label on top of a green one too...

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columngollum · 04/12/2013 17:03

With one book it probably doesn't matter that much, but if all their books are messed around and badly labelled you might want to treat their reading scheme with a pinch of salt.

Reading schemes are worse than useless for children who can already read, anyway. So, it probably doesn't matter what colour the book is.

ARealPickle · 04/12/2013 17:05

Wow she's doing incredibly well in reception. Did you help her learn to read?

I'm tempted to say the emphasis on worrying about which book is which is a bit unnecessary - just read the books, sign the book and return and read what you like at home!

After all, the goal is good reading, not to progress colours.

Original poster

Galena · 04/12/2013 17:08

I know, I know. I did say it doesn't matter and we do exactly that... but I'm nosy and I like to see what they are doing with her (other than panic)! Yes, she is very academic, and has a great memory which helps her a lot.

Don't mind me...

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TheCurseOfFenric · 04/12/2013 17:29

Don't be embarrassed! A question is a question, no matter how well your dd is doing.

I had similar queries when my dd was in reception and Yr1, and couldn't ask anyone at school ,as didn't want to be seen to be boasting (which I wouldn't have been, but was just as confused by the different labels/colours/re-labelling as you).

It doesn't matter, except as mild curiosity, but it is always better to be interested in your dd's education rather than not...

columngollum · 04/12/2013 17:36

Interest is OK, but in the case of a child moving far beyond the curriculum goals the teachers may well respond unfavourably. This has happened to me enough times that I've given up and now I just do my own thing. Luckily my daughter has no problems with reading Dickens at home and doing phonics actions in school. She doesn't mind multiplying thousands at home and adding ones and twos in class. She's perfectly happy.

youarewinning · 04/12/2013 17:44

Hey Galena. The second link puts the book at story worlds stage 8 in orange band and the first link puts it in purple which the second link shows all purple books as story worlds stage 8.
The bands seem to relate to reading age as opposed to level.

Your DD is a fabulous reader though.

youarewinning · 04/12/2013 17:49

Mostly the school re labelling is because they accumulated various different schemes over the years and so had to re scheme - eg red = 1c etc. Then they may re scheme them because they start a different scheme. When DS school changed to read write inc they re schemed the old books to match the colour of the book they were on in read write inc.

But you know my DS reading is about the same level as your DDs!

Original poster

Galena · 04/12/2013 17:58

Thanks - I shall keep doing what I'm doing and keep my eye open for more stickers :)

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mammadiggingdeep · 04/12/2013 18:00

Does she have a reading record or home/school book? You could ask the teacher. She's doing really well! You must be proud :)

Original poster

Galena · 04/12/2013 18:05

She does, but I really don't want to come across as the type of mother who is bothered about it, if you see what I mean? She is doing fantastically, so it really doesn't matter. She loves school, is doing well, has recovered from major surgery and settled back in well after 4 weeks off. Her reading book level is really not something I need to worry about - I'm just interested!

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mammadiggingdeep · 04/12/2013 18:29

Bless her... Glad she's loving school. Long may it continue :)

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