Reading group dropped from top to bottom - how can I help?

[Simplemind]

Dd is 5 and just gone into year 1. I have always been keen to help her read and we read every day of the holiday. This term she started in the top set for reading but she came home a bit sad and said she had been moved to the bottom set. I go into the class room once a week to listen to children read so know the group she is in. Some of the children in this group don't even know all their letters and are way behind in reading. I know pretty much where she sits in the class and know that there are few ahead of her but she i think this change is going to set her back. Do I ask the teacher why she has been moved and how the decision has been made. I obviously can't use my knowledge of listening to children read to query. Apart from reading to her everyday and also listening to her read what else can I do?

I would just speak to the teacher (after school or by making an appointment, rather than when you come in to the classroom to read - as you say, so that it doesn't look like you're using your position to an advantage) and say that dd came home saying she'd been moved down from top to bottom group and that you were wondering why as it is quite a drastic thing to go from top to bottom.

Is this new teacher for your dd?

This happened to my ds as well, when new teacher checked his reading beginning of the year.

I don't know what happened, he wasn't reading properly? daydreaming?
There must have been the reason for it.

But I've written a message about him being sad, and asked what could be the reason for him to go backwards.(they must have the information from last year.)

The teacher checked him again, and he was back on track straight away.

Thank you for your replies. The teachers is quite difficult to see so do you think it would be ok if I wrote her a note addressing my concerns?

No don't write a note, book an appointment. You need a chat with the teacher. And you do t want to do it in earshot of earwigging parents!
With ds1 I got told he was fine end of reception yr. At the beginning of yr1 had a parents evening ad was told he was way behind in everything. It turns out he is dyslexic. I don't know what happened at end of reception yr but the yr1 teacher was right.

That's what I did!
Actually, I find it easier to write a note to the teacher, because it will give teacher time to think about it. Then teacher can respond by writing a message to you, or find you and talk to you at pick up.

Dd told me this happened in numeracy - turned out she'd just been put on a different table so an inspector could sit in her usual place and she was still doing the same work. Just ask the teacher.

Thanks I think I will write a note asking for an appointment. In the meantime apart from reading the books that she brings home what books are good to read together at the age of nearly 6? The school uses Oxford reading tree and she is on level 3. Many in her class are on 2 or 3 and just a few on 4/5. Does this sound about right?

That sounds about right. I wouldn't worry about her reading other stuff just let her enjoy the experience of reading. Ds3 who is 6 loves the Paddington books at the moment.
Don't put her off reading by making her do extra even though you are concerned, instilling a love of reading is far more important at this age. I wish someone had given me this advice with ds1 at that age. He isn't overly keen on reading at all and regards it as a chore because he's had to work so hard to get it. He was on level 1 books at the start of yr1. Think ds3 was level 3 at that stage and he's in yr2 now and flying onto stage 9. We kept all his baby/toddle books as he started to rwad simple sentences he was able to pick up his own books and read them himself which really boosted his confidence. Which reminds me I need a clear out.

Before you go in all guns blazing, I would be sure of your facts. My DC's teachers have been known to radomnly number grups and to sit children in mixed ability groups. So she may not be in the "bottom" set at all. And even if she is, this isn't the most important thing - that is that she is making progress and being given work of a proper standard for her. It sounds like you thought she was - so why the sudden worry?

ORT 3 sounds about average, can't imagine a school where that would be bottom set. Check to make sure she is on the bottom table, but as long as she is still getting the right sort of books it won't matter much.

Yes...I would go in and get the facts..There is often another version of events. My Ds was moved right down from Reception to year 1..He went all through the books and was getting books from year 2 before the end of year 1

I'd be concerned that she was so aware of who was "top" and "bottom". A good teacher in my opinion should not make it so obvious. I know some kids cotton on but my DS (7) hasn't a clue who is top and bottom.

DS(7) didn't know in Reception, but he started to know in Y1. As all the reading books are in coloured box, from low to high. So he is quite clear what position he is compare to his friends.And he noticed the difference in table in Y1 as well.