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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Just wondering if anyone elses reception child have sentance books to bring home ??

19 replies

CrackerOfNuts · 07/04/2008 14:30

At Ds's last parents meeting last term, his one teacher (he has two), said to the other teacher 'right, are we giving harry a sentance book then'. Second teacher looks down the list and says 'no not yet'.

Thing is, listening to the other mums convos, Ds seems to be the only one not having this sentance book.

I know it is probably because he still doesn't have very good pencil control but, just a bit worried that he seems to be falling further and further behind, although he has come on in leaps and bounds since Sept.

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newgirl · 07/04/2008 14:45

i would imagine he is doing perfectly well - the first teacher mayhave thought he is nearly ready. I think you will find their reading progresses quickly in reception and year 1. I think it is entirely valid if you ask the teacher after school how he is getting on and if there is anything else you can be doing to help his progress.

NotABanana · 07/04/2008 14:49

What is a sentence book?

edam · 07/04/2008 14:53

Do you mean a reading book with whole sentences?

If you are worried about his progress, go and see the teacher but I'd imagine it's fine - reception children seem to vary hugely (one of ds's friends was writing sentences when they were still in nursery, last summer term. Others are only on the very first ORT books with words in...).

Original poster

CrackerOfNuts · 07/04/2008 15:51

Sorry, I should of explained. A sentence book is a book with a sentence in it and the child has to copy the sentence out.

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ROSEgarden · 07/04/2008 15:54

so they have to write the sentence out after reading it?

My dd is in reception and doesnt 'copy' sentences yet and (although im biased) is very advanced, so if they all should be doing it she would be!
they do rainbow writing, they copy letters on work sheets(ie they practice 4 letters a day,e ach letter is written on one line, the child then does 4 omore on the same line)

NotABanana · 07/04/2008 15:57

We don't have those at our school.

mrz · 07/04/2008 18:04

There is no value in copying a sentence so I wouldn't worry that he hasn't got this book.

newgirl · 07/04/2008 18:39

oh i see - my dd is in year one and they write sentences now and then - some copying, some they come up with themselves (with common words written on the board for them to copy) others about news with their own wacky spelling, some on the computer - he will get to do it hundreds of times over the next two years - no rush just yet

mrz · 07/04/2008 18:55

Can I just repeat there is no learning value in copying someone else's sentence!!! or words from a board...

NotABanana · 07/04/2008 20:39

How about practice at holding a pencil and forming letters?

aintnomountainhighenough · 07/04/2008 21:32

My DD has been doing quite a lot of writing. They had to write a story the other day, it was fab. It is their own words though, brilliant to read!

imaginaryfriend · 07/04/2008 23:20

I've never heard of these sentence books.

ChasingSquirrels · 07/04/2008 23:32

What on earth would they be copying sentances for??
copying/practicing letters to get letter formation is totally different.

mrz · 08/04/2008 08:37

Letter formation practice in reception needs an adult to ensure children are forming letters correctly ~ starting in the right place ~ going in the right direction etc which is why copying a sentence has little worth.

Original poster

CrackerOfNuts · 08/04/2008 09:16

Tbh I don't really know why they have the books, but if it is to practice letter formation and pencil control then I really don't understand why Ds hasn't go one as he has very poor pencil control and letter formation and so I'd have thought this would help him.

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mrz · 08/04/2008 11:32

Copying a sentence won't help letter formation or pencil control so I wouldn't worry about him not having one.
There are lots of more fun things he can do to improve pencil control /fine motor skills and large scale letter formation sounds more appropriate if as you say he is experiencing difficulties.
My guess would be that the school send these books home only to "impress" parents.

bluenosesaint · 08/04/2008 23:25

I have to agree with other posters here - there is no lesson to be learned from copying the sentences of others. It is a very outdated method of teaching, afaia.

I wouldn't worry about him not having one. It could even put him off writing altogether (i mean, how mundane is that?!)

If you are worried about this letter formation etc, could you perhaps help him practice in other ways, for example using sand or flour (or even mud if you're feeling brave ) and using his fingers to form the letters? much more fun

souvenir · 09/04/2008 00:04

Message withdrawn

Clary · 09/04/2008 00:48

wot's a sentence book then nutty?
Oh I see you answer. No we don't have one but then it's not something done at our school.

Don't worry about it is my advice. But if you are then pls ask the teacher.

I agree with others actually it sounds like sthg rather dull and pointless. If worried about his pencil control get him playing with playdouhg and moulding shapes, writing in sand, writing with water, even lego and playmobil are good for this.

Or get him to write some words for you eg a shopping list, note to grandma etc.

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