Does the reading stage/level really matter?

[SleepWhatSleep1]

DD(yr1) is coming home with orange level books. At home she reads anything and everything and her comprehension is excellent. She finds her school reading books a bit of a chore and just something to be got through until she gets back to her "real" books (which I occasionally make her read a section aloud just to check).
We visit our local library each week and also have probably too many books at home she has access to.

So does her reading book level matter as long as she's reading?

Not to dismiss your concerns about her possible autism, but I don't feel like my ds is being held back or is behind, I think he is on track and he is unaware of others reading levels and I would encourage him not to compare in any case and build his confidence with what he's achieving at home.

A lot of children are very literal-minded at this age and don't pick up jokes and sarcasm etc so I don't think this would be a significant factor at this stage, but worth discussing with her teacher certainly. My ds always needs metaphors explained in detail and often demands why I say one thing when I mean something else. I once referred to a bush as a hedge and was put in my place

Also I always make a note in the reading diary of what he reads at home so they can get a rounder picture but I don't expect it to influence them ifyswim.

It bothers me because it bothers her and she sees the school readers as a chore. I don't want her to see reading or homework as a chore.

Meh. Good luck with that one. My oldest 3 have all at some point seen some aspects of homework as a chore. Welcome to parenting. Btw they all got over it when they realised it was non-negotiable and just needed to get it done. By yr 4 on average. Suggest you focus on getting her to do what school has requested and definitely avoid suggesting in front of here that the book might be too easy...

Low door has it spot on. School will be looking for understanding and the ability to predict what will happen, why a character did something. It's fine being able to read all the words but if you can't delve into the deeper meaning of the story then your dd will be in trouble further up the school.

You say her '0probable' autism - is she being tested to see if she is autistic?

I see what you mean, but sometimes it is a chore and that's life. As long as she's enjoying reading generally. My ds hated his school books for the same reason for a while but seems to have come through that phase and we have a giggle about cats getting stuck in cupboards or whatever they're about,then we get on to what he wants to read.

I don't frame it negatively; I tell him we both know how well he can read but working through these books is so his teachers can see, and the more fluent and expressive he gets with them the quicker he will move on to the next stage. Which is true, isn't it?

I agree with others. One of the issues is that if you don't get her difficulties with inference sorted out sooner rather than later then she is going to struggle with the KS2 English curriculum and beyond. There is a lot of inference work in the later years, from analysing poetry to figuring out metaphors in 18th century texts. My DH, (who is diagnosed autistic and a masters educated engineer...), had to be dragged kicking and screaming through his English GCSE in order to be able to access University at all. Surely it's a good thing that she's getting more support now rather than in ten years time? Also, have you thought about pursuing an autism diagnosis? If she does need extra help in the future then a diagnosis is a big help. As for finding reading school books a chore, does she feel like she's learning something new? Have you explained to her what she's trying to "get good at"?

Penguins - where have I suggested I am not getting her to do her homework? And of course I don't suggest her books are too easy in front of her. I'm not an idiot

Thanks for the helpful responses regarding what schools regards as reading ability from other posters.

Lowdoor - that's sounds perfect but I think difficult to achieve in a class of 31 with a shared part the ta...

We did start the autism diagnosis but got advised that it would not change anything as she has good coping strategies and we support her well as if she was autistic so we have held off for now. The SENCO said we may need to pursue it for transfer to secondary though

Unweaved rainbow - no I hadn't been able to explain what the books are trying to get her good at because I didn't get it myself! Hence this thread :) now I know it's inference and theory of mind stuff I can explain it :)

Miaow – I’d be irritated too. When my DD was in Reception, she just went (initially with a teacher/TA, then later with another pupil) to another class to choose a book from the relevant box. Now she’s in Y1 she just goes by herself. No drama, and encourages independence. Maybe your daughter can offer to go and select a book by herself or with a friend?

I do exactly what you do, and record everything DD reads in her reading diary. At this stage in her reading, I feel the school books are of limited value, but I do share your frustration at the apparent lack of interest from your DD’s teacher. Fingers crossed for next year…

Speaking as a parent of autistic children. Diagnosed early but high functioning. Learning to read between the lines is actually important and easier to do from simpler books than those at higher levels. If she can read other books for pleasure at her own understanding - great. DS1 Was reading harry potter in reception and got the plot but once had learnt inference and greater comprehension skills he read it again and got more out of it.
Children with autism can learn inference and can learn odd phrases it just requires, sadly for them, a lot of hard work and repetition.

Thank you Tiggles - that's really helpful

Its something I find worrying and not worrying.

Luckily my DD has had her reading supported at home, we have a library of dc books here for her. I wonder however what happens to the dc who dont have that at her school and rely on the school for reading matter.

Her RL has never matched her ability and what she can do at home.