ORT reading scheme to level 21?

[diplodocus]

DD is a good reader and was on level 15 at the start of year 2. She didn't really enjoy it though, and the level 16 books (which were the last ones they were required to read before becoming a free reader) tended to have subjects that she couldn't really engage with. Because of this the teacher made her a free reader and we worked hard to find books at the right level she could enjoy. This worked very well and she'll now read challenging chapter books for pleasure. Coming back into year 3 we got a note saying she's been assessed as ORT level 17, and she said reading levels are now going up to 21 rather than 16. I don't know of any school that goes beyond 16. Is there any advantage for this? The books look mostly like abridged classics which will really not be her thing, so I'd really prefer to keep her reading things she'd enjoy at this stage. Would it be OK to ask the teacher if I can do this? I'm afraid she'll loose motivation.

I would speak to the teacher. having an able reader myself I had tears tantrums the lot over biff and sodding chip. she didn't enjoy reading til she was made a free reader in yr 1 and could pick lime level books where the selection was more than ort books. since yr 2 she's been reading whatever she likes.

if someone had told her she had to go back to ort I dread to think what would have happened.

god luck

My just gone into Y2 has been allowed to read whatever she wants from the second term of Y1. I would be gutted if she were now put back on to the ORT scheme. I dislike abridged classics - they likelihood is that they then never read the entire classic. Are you able to just ignore it and let her read what she likes?

Thanks - I didn't want to sound precious. It just seems unnecessary, and like you, Enb I have a hatred of abridged classics. I'm also not really sure the content of Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights is particularly suitable or comprehensible for a 7 year old. It's one thing to read Jane Eyre with some sort of understanding and context of the Victorian attitude to mental illness, but I would feel very uncomfortable about it with DD. I'll have a word with the teacher.

Hello
Our school introduced a policy of these levelled books up to the end of y4, irrespective ofnthenchikds skill. The rationale was the teachers had read them so knew how to check comprehension etc.
I have fluent and avid readers. They adore books and read non stop.. The only time they haven't wanted to read was when confronted with some of these awful high level books at start of y3. I particularly hate the abridged classics as all they finis give away the plot and pith the language.
I went to see the head and asked if kids could bring in their own books from home and he very kindly said yes. Wasn't a big issue and kids very relieved. (Other parents with equally fluent reading kids in class don't seem to kind.)
Undramatic and problem resolved.

Sorry. iPhone typos but you get the gist.

Thanks satin - hopefully it will be the same

the fiction books beyond level 14 are pretty awful, but the non-fiction ones are very good. I agree that there is little point in going any further than level 14 as then they can pretty much go on their own. However, they are useful for group reading. I hate the abridged classics too.

Did you get to speak to the teacher?

no - I work most days so will need to be next week. She's pretty reasonable.

in that case good luck for next week