Purple Set2 reading

[lemontree27]

Hi everyone, just looking for some advice. My daughter is in Year 1 and currently on Purple Set 2 phonics books. We read at home and I thought she reads really well…She has finished the set, and then she has been given the same books again. When I asked why the teacher said she is still purple level and will be assessed again before Christmas

Is Purple Set 2 considered a low reading level for Year 1 in October? Has anyone else’s child been on this level at this stage? I am worried and will appreciate your advice x

Is this the Read Write Inc reading scheme? As purple level is very different in other reading schemes! If so, I would say a bit behind but not worriedly so, I think purple is the level expected at the end of reception? (But might be wrong about this, can’t really remember !)

Also, Read Write Inc have a very prescriptive approach to assessment. If you think she is reading well at home you are probably right. Maybe just get the next level up out of the library/ try a different reading scheme and forget the school book for a bit?

@HelloDarknessmyoldfrenemy thank you, yes that’s the one. Thinking to introduce some new books, thanks for your advice x

It's always worth flagging up what you are observing with the TA or teacher so they can reassess if necessary.

I teach the purple RWI group at my school and do the assessments half termly. Purple is on track but are the ones at risk of falling behind if they haven’t moved on by the new year. Most kids get caught up on the fluency aspect, so they read beautifully but rely on sounding out the flash cards in the lesson. Make sure your child continues reading the book even if it seems too easy and this helps with fluency. However, the RWI story books are designed to be educational, not necessarily entertaining, so make sure you’ve got some reading for pleasure in there too!

@mammabingThank you so much for sharing this, it’s really helpful! ❤️ My daughter is reading really well, but she hasn’t been moved up yet, so I’m trying to understand what we can do to help her progress. Could you recommend any particular flashcards we should practise with at home? Are they the RWI sound cards or word cards? I’d really appreciate any advice. Thank you! x

Try not to worry too much, it’s very common for schools using a phonics scheme to keep children on a level until the next assessment, even when they seem ahead at home. The scheme books are mainly there to practise the specific sounds being taught, so they can feel easy. At home you could add variety: let her pick library books she’s drawn to and read some aloud together, taking turns by page. Ask her to tell you what happened in her own words, or what she thinks comes next, because that builds understanding as well as decoding. If you’d like reassurance, a friendly question to the teacher such as ‘what would help her move on at the next check?’ usually gets a useful answer.