when did your DC become a free reader

[recyclingbag]

We had book bands in infants, then new set in juniors which went up to black I think (stage 16)

DS has just finished all the bands - he's in year 5. Is this expected level?

I've no idea what the rest of his class are doing and don't like to ask.

I think some were free readers ages ago.

[WellTidy]

At DS' school, they are free readers when they've finished Oxford reading tree level 12. Or maybe 13.

DS was pretty much the last in his class to be a free reader and he became a free reader just as he started year 3. I was never hugely bothered as his reading was progressing steadily and he was enjoying reading and being read to. His understanding, recall and use of expression was always good too.

[ophiotaurus]

No I'm not offended at all nilby. I suppose it's true people are hardly going to pile I and say how much their children are struggling.
I'm in Scotland so unsure of what all the years are in the rest of the U.K. My eldest is 7 and in P3 and my youngest is 5 and in P1.

[nilbyname]

P3 is y2 and p1 is yr or reception.

Scotland is way more progressive anyways so lucky you!

[ophiotaurus]

Thanks that's good to know. When I read a lot of threads and people talk about years I never know what age they are!
Re Scotland being progressive there are pros and cons. It might just be my school but I don't think it concentrates enough on fundamental skills. Yes the play based structure for early years is great but there is little to no emphasis on handwriting or correcting spelling (this stifles creativity apparently).

[nilbyname]

Sounds very Finnish.

Anyway I'm Scottish, I can't spell for toffee but I'm wildly creative

[Shakey15000]

Today

He's made up. August born, youngest in Yr4 (8yrs old)

[ophiotaurus]

That's lovely Shakey good for him

Also I think when you are born in Scotland (with regards to age within year group) is different. Ds2 is August but is in the middle age wise. I think it's the December to February ones here that are the youngest. But we have the option to defer them for a year if we want. My two are June and August so no choice.

[Mouseinahole]

Dgs2 was 7 towards end of year 2 and his younger brother was free reader aged 6 at very end of year1. He loved The Golden Key stories though.

[greenbloom]

Ophiotaurus - diary of a wimpy kid is just right for a 7 year old - the books look long, but the vocabulary is quite simple - about the same as Horrid Henry.

[ZanyMobster]

Mrz - yes I have heard of that too. One excuse I heard was that they didn't have any higher level books (only went up to lime level) at the school so to read books they hadn't read for a while.

[StephanieKing]

My DC is 6 and only on level 9 (ORT). He will be 7 in May. I'm surprised at how many are free reading so young.