Random question about what age/stage you think this writing is at. Thanks in advance.

[EnidAlexandraRollins]

I am just interested in whether any primary teachers had a view on what age the author of this independent piece of writing is. I have some concerns and would just be interested to know; spelling and grammar were exactly as typed. Thank you to anyone who is able to offer their opinion - much appreciated.

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Once upon a time their lived 3 beoutiful girls called Jane Lossy and Lilly. One day they went to the woods Suddenly a bright light was shining in the air a Buoetiful colourful fairy she waved her wand and said abracadabra turn this wood into the most Beoutiful and colourful fairyland. But Lossy and Lilly got to scared and ran back Home screaming Aaaaaaaaaaaaa But Jane was very brave and wondered what had Hapend She didn't know that the Bright light was a fairy. then the bright light came towards her and said I'll turn you into a fairy if you want me to but we still haven't got a princess fairy then I'll turn you into a princess if you want me to. Then you'd rule the fairy land. I think I beter go home. But I'll see you tomorow for my work in the woods. Ok then. Then suddenly some glitter sparcles and colours came falling down from the air it was the Queen fairy called Miss Serena Magic. She appeared and said has someone been torking to a human in a very scary angry and loud voice Evryone said No and then Serena said good and did not now that a fairy had said something to a person and then Miss Serena said get on with your work. Then the fairyland turned Back to the normal woods and all the fairys followed queen Serena to the real fairy land but too of the fairys didn;t now were to go because she was too busy torking to Jane. then Jane notesed that her family had gone and told the little fairy called twirl and twirl got so scared she'd lost her family and freinds she started to cry. But Jane kindly said you can live with me in my playmobil fairy land you'll love it their. Thank you said twirl and brang her home and showed her to her new home and then Jane went downstairs for lunch. after she had lunch Twirl new were her family were and went to them. They lived happily ever after. the End.

My bright 6 year old could not write this, particularly not reproduce handwriting of this standard. His school have no concerns about him.

That's exactly it Enid ... Words I would expect a Y1 to spell are incorrect but other words that contain less common alternative spellings are correct

Is mrz right about her reading widely? I would say that might be the spelling of a child with a good visual memory, that reads a lot and who is spelling by sight rather than strictly by phonics. It would explain some of the inconsistencies between application of phonics and why 'beautiful' isn't strictly phonetically plausible but contains most of the correct letters, although in a different order both times she spells it.

I'm surprised by teachers comments! I'm Ta in a yr1/2 class and I can only think of 1 yr 1 who could produce that, handwriting would beat a lot of yr 2s as would the content!

I did think that Rafa but when I looked at the words that are spelt incorrectly eg beautiful they are words you find in lots of books whereas wondered for example is less frequent ... That's what I mean by unusual

She's a pretty good reader, thought not off the scale. ORT 12 and reads a lot of those silly weather fairies/colour fairies books in her own time with the odd slightly more sensible thing thrown in for good measure (Flat Stanley, Worst Witch, bit of Roald Dahl etc) when I can win the argument!

*though

That's true.

I'm quite intrigued by the handwriting. At first glance it looks quite neat and joined, but actually on closer inspection her letter sizing is all over the place (I'm nit picking here OP, it's not at all uncommon in children of this age to have inconsistently sized letters and not an indication she is behind in any way).

It really doesn't matter what level reading scheme book she's reading what is important is that she's exposed to and enjoys lots of stories.

Actually, it's not joined, it's pre-cursive and partially joined in places.

I agree but (as a layperson) the ORT level is usually just a shortcut to a general sense of reading level. I would say she is a keen reader but of slightly 'trashy' content. Which we will work on!

Rafa she is mildly visually impaired so that may explain the odd writing! Not drip feeding but I don't think it defines her IYSWIM so I rarely bring it up.

The ORT doesn't actually give any indication ... Other than the child has mastered the predictable format of the scheme.

Fair enough! And good to know.

Although ORT might explain why why suddenly is spelt correctly and happened, which is fairly similar isn't.

I'm not sure it's the visual impairment. I think it's the fact she appears to have very good formation and spacing compensating for the slight inconsistencies in sizing. I'd be more than happy for any year 1 to be writing with this handwriting. It's really just a case of making sure the tall letters are tall and the other ones aren't and that might just come with a bit more experience over the next couple of months. Her handwriting is very good otherwise.

Good adjectives and connectives etc but lacking punctuation. I'd say approaching a 2a.

So basically a year 2 child although I teach in a private school with quite academically able classes so that might bias my year group thoughts

Words like beautiful, talk, every, friends and tomorrow would be common in ORT books Rafa so don't think that's the explanation for the discrepancy.

The writing is a secure 1 in the new curriculum which will easily convert into a upper 1 or whatever assessment "label" the school is using but obviously would need to be repeated over different genres.