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Original poster

Year 1 expected reading level

39 replies

hazbaz · 02/02/2015 16:29

Sorry in advance as I know this is a cliché but my DS1 just brought home his mid year report today. He is reading green band books & I thought doing ok - no indication from school of any issues with reading at previous parent teacher evenings or his YR reports. Now according to the new system he is below expectation & reading at a level of reception. Although good effort apparently.

I'm shocked & will clearly be speaking to his teacher but just wanted to know is green band really below average for a boy in Yr1?!?

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Hooliesmoolies · 02/02/2015 16:59

I thought green was smack bang in the middle of the Y1 expected levels, so pretty much exactly where he would be expected to be at this time of year.

www.readingchest.co.uk/book-bands

But I'm a Y1 parent, so I guess other teachers will better be able to advise you on whether things have changed. I had understood that the expectations for Maths had changed, so perhaps they have for reading too? It does make me think it is all a bit ridiculous. It just puts more pressure on children which I don't think they need (given all the stuff I read on here so perhaps I should take it with a pinch of salt about how kids generally don't learn to read in a nice linear way!).

mrz · 02/02/2015 17:15

Expectations have been raised in the new curriculum but they don't really relate to book bands.

Ferguson · 02/02/2015 18:19

As a former TA I too would have thought that was quite acceptable, and above what some children I worked with achieved.

mrz - if expectations have been raised, yet they don't relate to book bands, what DO they relate to, and how are people expected to understand how their children are progressing?

jimmycrackcornbutidontcare · 02/02/2015 18:31

I am also confused. I thought that green books at this time of year would be a sign that his reading was going well. Report back what the teacher says.

mrz · 02/02/2015 18:32

They relate to the criteria for each year group. For example the criteria for Y1 includes aspects of the old level 1,2 &3.

catkind · 02/02/2015 18:36

Perhaps they're measuring against the expected levels for end of Y1? In the same way mid Yr R we were shown whether they'd achieved any of the EYFS end of Yr R targets yet or not? I guess how people report against the new NC targets is all new.

georgebear103 · 02/02/2015 21:37

Year 1/2 teacher here! Green would be fine in our school, as long as reading green Ok and aiming for orange/ turquoise by summer. I really wouldn't think green should be expected in reception.

hels71 · 02/02/2015 21:51

As I understand it, if school are using the new guideline things for each year it would not be unreasonable for a child to be below the expectations of that year now as they are end of year expectations if that makes sense.

cece · 02/02/2015 21:59

My Year 1 son is currently on Green and it is my understanding that Green is expected level for end of y1 so I have been happy with this.

SugarPlumpFairy3 · 02/02/2015 22:50

Y1 teacher here...green at this point in the year is great. In my class, around half are reading at green level or above.

nonicknameseemsavailable · 02/02/2015 23:27

green is perfectly acceptable at this stage of Yr1 I think.

Original poster
hazbaz · 02/02/2015 23:45

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. Reassuring to think that maybe it's not so bad after all. New curriculum is a minefield for parents & teachers....Curious to know what his teacher will say, will report back.

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hazbaz · 03/02/2015 16:48

Spoke to the poor TA this morning - who was fending off a heap of annoyed parents, teacher nowhere in sight - apparently it based on end of year levels! Not sure what the point is of measuring against expected levels at the end of the year after one term....this may become clear at the parent's evening after half term. Thanks all

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jimmycrackcornbutidontcare · 03/02/2015 21:09

Well that's good news as it means he is doing well for this stage of the year and you don't need to worry. Thanks for reporting back.

nonicknameseemsavailable · 03/02/2015 22:35

perhaps it would be helpful for them to put that at the top of the report sheet otherwise how are parents supposed to know. especially if parents evening isn't until after half term. madness.

mrz · 04/02/2015 07:52

If the report says he's currently reading at reception level then he is a term behind I'm afraid

Doc25 · 04/02/2015 09:07

hello all, May I ask whats the level expected in Math at this point in year 1.My DD is doing additions using monies like 10P+20p+2p= 32p..Is the new system applied all over the uk?Can I request the link to the new system and level of expectations as well,please?

jimmycrackcornbutidontcare · 04/02/2015 15:29

Mrz - no he isn't. He has not yet reached end of y1 expectations but it is only February.

mrz · 04/02/2015 17:22

If he is working at reception level a term and a half into Y1 he is a term and a half behind ...

Original poster
hazbaz · 04/02/2015 18:36

Thank you Mrsz for the links, will need to look another time when I'm not on my phone. The report was as at end of Dec so yes it seems he is a term behind currently. He has moved up to green level this term so I am a bit surprised that this implies children should be starting Y1 at green. Although clearly comprehension, ability to retell the story etc is just

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Original poster
hazbaz · 04/02/2015 18:36

As important
Mrz even sorry

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mrz · 04/02/2015 18:48

As a Y1 teacher I would consider green band a "good" level to be at but the teacher will not be relying on book bands for assessing (hopefully) and will be looking at the expectations for the year.

Doc25 · 05/02/2015 09:35

thank you mrz for the links...how is turquoise level at this stage for year 1 and where does it fall is it 1a or 2c? thanks for ur time.