How challenging should reading be?

[AleHouseWench]

I'm not sure if I'm right or if I need to give my head a shake so am open to all advice. I firmly believe my son (year 1) should be on at least the next level of reading book. He reads everything he gets almost fluently, uses expression and understands what's going on.

I don't feel that he's being challenged at all. Surely there should be some words he's struggling with or just can't get at all in each book otherwise how is ever going to learn.

I have shown him some examples of higher level books (which he has also had home from school) which he can still read well.

What are you thoughts? Does anyone know what criteria schools use to move them up.

I just wanted to gain some outside opinions before I spoke to his teacher. TIA

I think the 90% thing can be a bit of a red herring. All my DSs have been good readers and have always changed bands without suddenly 'dropping' to only being 90% fluent. For example DS3 is currently reading books (at home not book band ones) that are a few years above his expected reading level. He reads them 100% fluently and with good expression. However, if I challenge him over the meaning of some of those words he has no idea what they really mean, or maybe can guess a general idea from the context but not the exact meaning.
I do know however exactly what it is that is stopping him moving on in his reading at the moment as the teacher makes a note of his current target in his book when she reads with him each week and how well he is doing in achieving it. Which is great as it means I can work on it with him daily. I have no idea if when he achieves that he will move up a reading level or if there are other things that the books at his level are designed to teach.

My DD doesn’t get much homework either: just a maths game each week, plus reading. It feels ‘wrong’ somehow, although it’s preferable to them spending hours on pointless stuff that nobody looks at.

Do they challenge her in maths? Did the teacher talk about anything she finds hard, in any subject? Do you get the impression that she’s coasting generally?

They don't challenge her in maths. She doesn't find anything hard ,as she is above average and grab everything quickly. Teacher didn't mentioned anything she need to improve or concentrate. I don't worry about home work. we do some maths works like mathletics and other website and work books. my concern is as schools always worried about attendance rather than communicating with parents. parent teacher meetings also useless, as they always talks about behaviour,social development rather than academic progress.They never discuss about year targets or what is the target for next term.

I agree with the poster who said just read at home. Choose books together that your child loves and let it all flow naturally from there at home.

The rule of thumb is that they should be able to read 90% of the words but being more realistic, how many people are going to enjoy struggling with every tenth word in something they are trying to read for pleasure? I would give more challenging books from the library and continue moving through the school levels, but I would also speak to the teacher and ask whether there has been a recent assessment.

I think it would help to forget the 'challenge' aspect and get on with the 'love' aspect. Think how people cannot put Harry Potter or, in the past, ENid Blyton down then become life long readers. Get the love right and the reading will take care of itself.

"The rule of thumb is that they should be able to read 90% of the words"

Trifleorbust if you read back through this thread you will see that people have already dismissed the 90% comment as relating to the outdated 'look and say' approach.

Ginny: I was hardly recommending it myself, was I? But I know it is a rule of thumb still in use in many schools because I am an English teacher.

It's the rule of thumb for teachers and schools who don't understand the curriculum, yes.

Again, I haven't said it's a good thing. I said it is often used and was in fact commenting on something someone else said

I don't think anyone was expecting you to take it on the chin yourself! It's just a fact, unfortunately.

Feenie, I don't get you. I was making a very simple observation - lots of students are set reading on this basis. Why would I need to take anything 'on the chin'?

Feenie : primary teacher
Trifleorbust : secondary teacher

We know who to listen to on primary board.

This is like being on drugs, honestly. What is it, irvine, that you believe I have said that you disagree with?

I appreciate your expertise, but I don't want to get confused on what's right or wrong, what's true and not true, that's all.

" was told in my dd school for reception highest level is stage 5, and in year 1 they can move up to maximum stage 8. Is this true"
Books should match the child and IMHO there shouldn't be any glass ceiling to their learning. I have children in my Y1 class reading short chapter books (roughly lime band) and I've previously taught reception children at that level.

Irvine: I am not trying to utilise my 'expertise'

It was a simple observation which you chose to take issue with.

"But I know it is a rule of thumb still in use in many schools because I am an English teacher." Certainly isn't a rule of thumb ...more an old wives tale

Mrz: When you say 'old wives' take' do you mean it's a myth that any teachers still use this rule as a general guide? If you say so

I mean it's so often repeated that those who know no better believe it to be true ... Hopefully most teachers are better informed

Mrz: Nothing to do with what I said though. I was simply observing that many teachers do use it as a quick check on the reading level, hence the term 'rule of thumb'.

Perhaps they should read the National Curriculum

Gah! I hate reading schemes and levels. It's fine for the teaching and practising of phonics but children should get to choose their own books with their parents help. If they choose one that's too hard, mum/dad/granny can help! I'll slope off now..,

Trifleorbust , But how do you know that many teachers do use it, if you are secondary teacher? Do they use reading levels in secondary as well?

Mrz: Do you think the average classroom teacher is in charge of literacy policy in their school? If the school uses a particular level-based system then they will usually be obliged to go along with that. They might use the 90% as a quick check on whether a book is suitable but they really will have limited input on how the books for age and ability groups are selected. It's a bit condescending to think they don't understand their own jobs