Reading - honest answers please!

[stroppyknickers]

DS is 5, nearly 6 and started year 1 this term. He can't read more than 8 words (after a burst of teaching by granny)but does know all his letters and numbers. He can just about write his name. He doesn't seem to be alone in this, in terms of last year's reception class. I think only one could read (taught at home before school). The school used to send words home for him to learn, which we hardly ever did. Time/ babies/ knackered after school etc. This is my question. Can your year 1 child read and is that down to the school or did you teach them at all? I'd quite like to avoid any g and t types (unless with ice and a slice ) as I already feel like he's going to be one of those biys who can't read/ join a gang/ drop out at ten/ horrible scenario/ late night stressing...

[stroppyknickers]

AbbyLou - thanks for the expert opinion! I think I'm worried that there is a 'window of opportunity' and he might miss it and never catch up. DD, being a girl and therefore a completely different kettle of fish etc was reading really quickly so I have no comparison. He is obsessed with Dr Who cards and annuals and really wants to read them. Buda, ds1 is a November birthday (but prem at birth) and ds2 is a July birthday but I would say ds1 could have done with an extra year at home whereas ds2 is already doing (off his own back) numbers/ colours/ words via the other children and nursery. I think they'd be better off at 7, personally. DD's friend was 7 when she started and is at the same level as the others now. Plus, she is a very cool, sorted type.

[AvenaLife]

ds could read very well before he started school. I did teach him how to read a couple of words phonetically and he picked it up. There were children who didn't even know the alphabet in his class aswell. He was fluent and could read anything as well as understand it. I used to give him joke books to read, he loved these and still reads whilst walking etc. I think the key is to find something they find fun and interesting. ds isn't the norm though.

[Blu]

Stroppy - have not read thread, apologies - but wanted to say 'don't worry'. DS could not read at beginning of Yr 1, most of his friends could not read at the beginning of Yr 1, and and in fact I don't think he really cracked it until the end of the first term in Yr2. (he is v young in his year)

In truth, I think the phonics work he did in class taught him the basics of reading- I just did reading practice regularly at home.

Then he got a 3 for reading by the time he did his SATS, and now enjoys it.

[stroppyknickers]

Blu - thank you. It's really hard not to worry.

[NoblesseOblige]

to th OP - my dd is going into Y2 and is about where your ds is.

i will worry about it if she is still at that stage this time next year.

at the end of the day I can't MAKE her learn.

[ProfessorGrammaticus]

OOOHH yes you can

[stroppyknickers]

Prof - tell me how!

[pudding25]

Ok, teach Yr 1 in a very good school in a very affluent suburb in London and I only have about 5 children each yr who can read reasonably well (and by that, I don't mean independant, free readers).
You will be amazed at how much progress he makes in Yr 1. I would definitely do all the homework you are given regarding reading and key words. You cannot expect the teacher to do everything and it needs to be backed up at home if you are concerned.
You could voice your concerns to the teacher and ask to be updated about his progress.
In Jan, yr 1 has a programme for children who are not making much progress which your school should provide. It is called ELS. If things have not picked up by Jan, your teacher may put him on that.

However, at the beginning of yr 1, i find that most of the children still want to play, don't even know all their letters, have messy writing, can only read the odd word (and remember how good I said my school was and the intake I have!) so I really would not worry at the moment.

[pudding25]

Oh, and my spelling and grammar is better when I teach the kids than when I am posting, I promise!

[themildmanneredstalker]

ds is year one but he has only just had his 5th birthday.
he can read.

not harry potter! but ort stage 3/4

he can write a sentence about himself.his name. he wrote me a menu for a game we wereplaying the other night
it was

chicin
chips
pis
pizzssa
froot

[maverick]

Do have a read of the following webpage. I think you'll find the content useful for your situation.

Should I have my child assessed?
www.aowm73.dsl.pipex.com/dyslexics/should_I_have.htm

[ProfessorGrammaticus]

Get into a routine, even if it's only 5 minutes a day and go over and over and over it until they get it