ks1 teachers...at the start of the school year, do you

[elliott]

assess each child's reading level afresh before deciding what reading books to give them, or do you just follow on from what they were doing the previous year?
And if the child was relatively new to the school, would that make a difference?

Ds1 joined a new school about 5 weeks before the end of year 1. His reading wasn't assessed at that time and he was put on a reading level way below his ability. I did make various comments in his reading record but was basically told that the formal curriculum had ended and he wouldn't be assessed until the next year.

He started yr2 with a new teacher and while he has gone up one level, he is only just bringing home books at about the standard that he was doing before he left his old school, 4 months ago!! I have tried dropping hints in his reading record but this doesn't seem to be getting anywhere. I'm wanting to bring this up next week at parents evening but just wondering what the best way of broaching it with the teacher is. I really don't think he's being stretched at all and I'm slightly worried that she hasn't realised that the band he was doign last year wasn't based on an assessment of his reading.
So, what kind of assessments do ks1 teachers do with their kids and would it be reasonable for me to ask her to do one?

Do you have his reading record from his previous schoool? If so I would give this to them so they can see what he has read.

My DD has just started a new school in year one. During the first couple of days she was assessed (although they had her reading record) and was infact put 'up' a level. I would ask them how they are finding his reading and when they say he is doing well tell them he is on a lower level than previously and is finding it too easy.

hmm, not sure if I can locate the reading record from last year but I can try. I don't remember taking it home tbh. It may not be that informative anyway as both schools seem to have their own banding systems (rather than using one reading scheme exclusively).
I am getting tired of writing 'ds1 read this with no difficulty' in his current record...
But, you don't think it would be unreasonable to expect that they have some way of assessing reading and that they might do this for ds1?

I would expect them to assess him certainly. At my DDs school they also colour band the books - this means that there are different levels of books for different schemes in one colour e.g. we were getting ORT stage 8 with Ginn stage 6. Presumably your DS hasn't read these books before? My DD always says 'oh I've read that!'. I think you should speak to the teacher and find out if there is a reason he is on this level - perhaps they are working on expression or fluency and want the books to be slightly easier? I wouldn't bother keep writing in the book if they are ignoring it - go and speak to them directly.

Yes, the two schools we've been in have a similar colour band scheme. Can't for the life of me remember what level ORT he was doing last year though. But, I know he was only a couple of levels off 'free reading' and now he seems to be in about the middle of the new schools banding system. And more importantly is not being challenged at all.

The teacher does read with him regularly, but I'm not sure she has systematically assessed him - and if she hasn't tried him out on harder stuff, presumably she won't know that he can manage it.
Hmmmph. I hate making a fuss but I am feeling quite upset about this.

I would expect all my childrne to have reading books they can read at home with no problems - i teach year 1. I also look for comprehension, fluency, and expression.

I stretch their reading in class more than the books they take home.

we do reading tests but they are inaccurate in the early years

cazzybabs, that's interesting, thanks for your input. I am interested to know how you stretch the children's reading in class?
The system at this new school is that they have 'reading books' which they read with the teacher once a week, and bring home to read with parents over the weekend, and also 'take home' books which are banded. I would say that the reading books are not noticeably more difficult than the take home books. Both are too easy for him imo.

Just mention it at parent's evening as an enquiry and take it from there. It could easily be a mix up where the Y2 teacher hasn't realised or she could have reasons for it which you could discuss. Would think this was a very valid thing to do at parents' evening tbh.

Yes I just want to make sure I do it politely without all my pent up crossness coming out and putting her back up!

I know exactly what you mean my dd has just gone into yr 2. Yes she struggled last yr, however she has worked very hard over the summer and has made great progress.
No one in her school has even noticed! I have tried to get an appointment to see her teacher but we can't seem to find a convienient time, so I am waiting until parents evening. I will be going armed with what she can read and I do want some answers as to why she has not been reassessed. Sorry to rant but it is frustrating, but like me speaking to the class teacher is the first step, maybe I am missing something

Last year ds1's teacher had a "you must read every book in every level before you move up" policy. Combined with the fact that she wasn't exactly hot on changing their books regularly (quite often went weeks at a time without changing them) he apparently didn't make much progress at all last year.

This didn't stop him from reading outside of school though so obviously he did improve even if his school record would imply otherwise.

This year his new teacher moved him up a level every time they changed books (2 or 3 times a week) and he's shot from officially on ORT 7 to off the reading scheme altogether since the start of this term.

So it does seem to be very much down to individual teachers how/whether they asesse reading levels. I'd have a word with the teacher I think.