Stuck on a reading level in year 2

[Dodo76]

DS1 was 7 in March and has been reading level 9 ORT since mid January. His reading is good and he manages most books with no mistakes. He seemed to be moving up the levels fairly regularly but has got stuck on level 9. The comments in his reading diary were that he needed to read more enthusiastically, so he did but still didn't go up, so has reverted to his usual style, (a bit monotone but who isn't when reading out loud, unless to a group?), and then to say that he needs to improve fluency. He tends to stop half way through each page and ask lots of questions about the story which slows him down but is otherwise fluent. He is keen to go up to the next level which at his school is chapter books and guided reading in a group (at the moment he does 1 to 1 reading once a week) and so am as I don't think the ORT books are pushing him and they are also boring! We read other more interesting books at home and although he loves stories and being read to, he rarely, if ever, picks up a book and reads it of it his own volition. I just worry that he is not going to develop a love of reading whilst stuck on ORT and that the vocab is quite limited. I made a couple of comments in his reading diary about how good his reading is and that he is keen to move to the next level but no luck! Should I raise with the teacher or am I being too pushy? Lots of other kids in his class are reading the Secret Seven, Harry Potter etc so starting to worry a bit.

It would help him move up the levels if he started to read books other than ORT. If he is not keen, maybe you haven't found books that would grab his interest?

Has he seen Captain Underpants? It is NOT great literature, but does get kids (and especially boys) to read "real books". The books do have a fair amount of boy-focused humour but essentially are about two boys standing up to a bully.

There are lots of other early chapter books with enticing covers that you can try. Super Agent Jack Stalwart (I think), Astrosaurs, and many more. Even reading comics or magazines is great - it all builds reading skills.

Don't worry - he will get there!

DS3 is reading level 9 and his target is to read with good expression. Although he enjoys his school books (not often ORT) he reads a lot of other books for pleasure which I think probably help his 'academic reading'. At the moment he has just discovered Beast Quest but has also enjoyed Astrosaurs, Monster and Chips etc.
I make sure that I quiz him over the vocab in his books as sometimes he reads a word fluently without really understanding what he is reading. He doesn't seem unduly bothered which reading level he is on, but I do remember DS2 getting to around 9 or 10 and it taking ages before he went up a level and him getting frustrated by it.

Thanks both. We have Beast Quest and Astrosaurs at home as well as loads of Roald Dahl, Horrid Henry (which I got but hate as they are just a pile of rubbish and he doesn't seem much keener), Tintin, loads of the Usborne early readers and there are many many stories he enjoys but he still won't pick up a book unless asked.

LittleMissGreen, that sounds very familiar! May I ask what year your DS3 is in?

The book people have a series about a boy called Stink at the moment which might be good. The author wrote the Judy moody books which are really good. You could try those. They are funny, easy to read.

Buy magazines or factual books about whatever he's into, then refuse to read them to him. Dinosaurs, star wars, whatever. Dino encyclopedia for grown ups did the trick for dd when she was reluctant to read. It needs to be something he really wants to know and you can't tell him. Don't be squeamish, make it some silly Disney magazine, a football annual or a Lego Chima book if that's what it takes.

Has he tried Dinocove books?

www.dinosaurcove.co.uk/

My ds loved these when he was around 7. Chapter books but still have some pictures and writing not too small.

DS3 is in year 1 (but if he was any older he'd be in year 2). Oh yes, forgot Roald Dahl he loves those too and the London Zoo series. Picking up a book for pleasure kind of clicked for him over the last few months (maybe because he shares a bedroom with DS2 who likes to read after I've put him to bed and now as it is still light they can be partners in crime together quickly closing the curtains if they hear me coming ).

Actually thinking about it a bit more, partly what encouraged him to start reading lots, was when I started reading him chapter books. I'd get him to read a page to me so he knew he was capable of reading it, and then I'd read him a chapter or two at bed time. He then wanted to know what happened and kept reading.