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How do you know when a child is ready for the next level book?

38 replies

Living · 20/03/2014 22:30

Just that really. DS is 4 and in reception. He's on ORT pink and gets one reading book a week. I don't particularly care what level the school think he is but he reads his one book in about five minutes. I'm not in the UK and just don't have access to many learn to read type books. The ones I can get tend to be non-phoinc and just a bit too hard for him so he gives up.

I spoke to the teacher about whether he could have more library books a week but they just don't have enough books of the right level.

She suggested he might move to slightly harder books but it hasn't happened. I assume that's because she's decided he isn't ready .

That's fine but in just wondering how fluently he has to be reading pink level to move up to the exciting realms of whatever comes next. What does being able to read competently at pink (or any other level look like)? Or, alternative, what does not being able to read competently look like?!

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brettgirl2 · 11/04/2014 07:13

Are all reading schemes even the same? Dd is in reception and on blue. This was the next level from red and everyone else talks about yellow Confused It just makes me wonder with all these online comparisons!

I find reading books more than once is good for building confidence. Only having one change a week is pretty poor though.

mrz · 11/04/2014 09:20

The colour of the book isn't always the same as the level colour brettgirl

simpson · 11/04/2014 10:59

Have you spoken to the teacher?

DD had certainly been taught split vowels this time last year when in reception (she knew them anyway so not 100% sure when they covered it at school).

Check out the programme alphablocks on the Iplayer. DD was obsessed!

brettgirl2 · 11/04/2014 12:14

I know mrz they have a blue band stuck to the books. They use various different types of book within the band.

mrz · 11/04/2014 12:20

Book bands were devised to level books from different schemes so that schools/teachers weren't restricted to a single reading scheme.

HolidayCriminal · 11/04/2014 12:47

Public library usually has tonnes of books that would suit.

brettgirl2 · 11/04/2014 12:49

exactly. I'm just saying it's a big assumption that they are the same in different schools!

Living · 11/04/2014 19:27

Thanks for the extra comments. Class if moving slowly through the sounds because the vast majority of kids are ESL (4 native English speakers in a class of 15).

Library would be the obvious answer but the only one I have access to is very limited for phonics books at this stage (I might ask them to get some actually).

I'm not in the UK.

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Ferguson · 11/04/2014 20:37

It is good to hear that you seem to be doing the right things for him, if in slightly difficult circumstances.

As he is so young, I wouldn't worry too much at this stage. Just involve him in a wide range of reading matter, including non-fiction books, magazines, adverts, leaflets etc.

Usually, the accepted 'yardstick' for whether or not a child can read a book correctly, is that they get 90% of it correct. There need to be a few challenging words, but not too many, if they are reading a book on their own.

HOWEVER, a technique I often used at school, as a Teaching Assistant, was to share a more difficult book with a child, with him pointing to words as we went along. He would read the words he knew, but would pause his finger on words he didn't know, and I would read that word for him. As the child is doing the pointing, stopping when he needs help (or maybe just reassurance on a certain word) he is in control of the situation, but doesn't need to worry that he will struggle on hard words.

That way, working together, you can tackle quite difficult books, and it can be more entertaining for child and adult. But don't leave him to struggle (unless he asks that you don't help TOO much, and some children will say that) but let him gain confidence on the words he can read.

A useful book that you can get from Amazon (or maybe order from a local bookshop, if you have one) is reviewed on the MN book reviews section, under 'children's educational books and courses', the Oxford Phonics Spelling Dictionary; that explains a lot about phonics, and will support children (and parents!) right through primary school.

MrsRuffdiamond · 11/04/2014 20:51

How do you know when a child is ready for the next level book?

When you check your child's friend's book bag and discover that they are two levels ahead! Wink Grin

I hasten to say that I have never needed to do this, as my dc is obviously the best reader in the class. Grin

(Sorry to be so facetious. In my defence, though, it is the weekend. Blush)

Living · 12/04/2014 04:55

Thanks Ferguson. Mrs RD - no investigations into book bags here Grin Ultimately I actually just want more books. Teacher didn't actually take my initial comment of 'it doesn't matter in the long run what book band he's on at 4' that well. Smile

Found a set of Curious George phonics books in the library so working through those.

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htm123 · 16/04/2014 21:33

There is a website called TES which is aimed at teaching staff, however, nobody will stop you from registering and downloading teacher's assessment for reading, maths, etc for the (EYFS), KS1 and KS2. You can search in 'Resources' and find the detailed material about reading levels, book titles, etc to help your child progress. You can even print out assessment sheets to assess the child yourself, or resources to aid your child's progress. Hope this helps.

mrz · 16/04/2014 21:58

remember that KS1 & 2 levels are being scrapped

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