Oxford reading level guide- Reception

[cantwait4orsummer]

DS is in reception class. Just wondering about his reading ability. I looked at the Oxford chart, it wasn't very helpful.

Background: Ds started learning phonics in September last year when he actually started the school. DS is the youngest. I was very much involved in the reading activities with Dd1 and Dd2 from very early pre-school age.
I hope he is not too far behind. I'm very laid back with him.

He is confident reading above book.

On the side/back there seems to be a colour band. What colours are those circles?

It's saying level -4

Why do you worry that he is behind? What has the teacher said throughout his time in reception?

Is he on track for his age -group? DD1 and DD2 are in secondary schools and I lost track of all this reading levels.

I’ve just had a google. It’s phase 4 for blending, so cvcc words eg warm, legs. Sounds about right for reception but if you’re worried talk to the teacher.

My DS is in Reception. Their class has just moved on to doing level 4 sounds in class and level 4 reading books. So seems right on track to me.

Thank you, that's re-assuring. Teacher hasn't mentioned anything but put a note in his reading record to document home reading.
I do read with him few times a month. I assume I need to read with him daily. I was planning to start this in year 1.

My DS is in Reception although doing a different reading scheme. There are a number of children in his class who are still at the blending stage and don't really 'read' yet and others who can read a (simple) book. I think there's a huge variety at this age but it evens out. Most of the parents I speak to do some reading most nights but most only both with the school books once a week or so (as they're very dull)

In which case write a note in his reading record to ask if he is on track.

That book appears to be Oxford level 4 (red box) or Book Band Light Blue. This table places it at end of Reception/beginning of year 1, so he is doing well. Generally they like children to be on at least level 3/yellow by end of Reception.

They probably want him to read more though. Our school ask ideally for 5 times per week, so I'm guessing that is what the comment is about, not his level of reading.

Why on Earth delay daily home reading? He is learning to read now, therefore he needs to be doing it now. Daily reading helps to develop confidence and fluency.

To answer your question, it would appear your son is doing ok thanks to the practise and experiences he gets at school but he could be doing even better if you put the ground work in to read with him every night now. There is no benefit to delaying this, get into good habits now.

I really wouldn't get hung on up book bands though. They're practically a thing of the past anyway with decodable books being the method now followed by most schools (each individual phonics scheme have their own set of books which progress through the taught sounds and don't necessarily fit the old book band system). Decodable books are designed to ensure every word can be read through the child applying their taught phonic knowledge, rather than random words which can only be sounded out via picture clues etc. Therefore the book photographed above is quite dated and has stopped being used in many schools (as have most Oxford Reading Tree books). Ofsted frown on books which aren't completely decodable. I'm not saying I agree with that, as decodable books are even duller than their predecessor early readers. I'm just stating how it is.

It sounds like you need to have a chat with your child's teacher about how they teach reading and what you can do to help. Whilst he's currently doing ok, he's at risk of falling behind if you only read with him a few times a month. It's nowhere near enough. The quickest and easiest way to progress is through daily practise.

Thank you, I will pick this up with him to read a book religiously.

we do lots of mental maths when I'm cooking , doing other chores etc.
Now we will focus on reasoning. once again thank you for your time to reply to this thread. I needed this wake up call, deep down i knew i need to start this some point

I found the read at home with oxford books really helpful. We do 20 minutes five times a week (we just keep going till she’s read the entire book, we started with ten minutes at the lower stages ). I just bought everything and worked through the books, I found it easier than having to cast about for what to read next as she’s in pre-school so no school support for reading yet.

DD started on stage 2 or 3 in September and is now working through stage 5. It’s a really nice progression though stage 4 took a while to get through as she found that quite difficult. They have a guide on their website on how stages relate to levels.