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

Primary education

how long does it usually take a teacher to get to know their new pupils, ie where they're at with reading etc?

10 replies

dollybird · 07/09/2009 22:14

DD (just 6 and gone into yr 2) has had her first reading book home which is one she read about 6 months ago at school (Brown Bear gets in Shape). She has been reading orange sticker books for ages and has been able to read the purple ones her brother was bringing home too. Over the summer she has read a couple of Rainbow Fairy books and a Magic Pony one by herself. Problem is, she tends to be very shy so doubt she'll say anything. I don't want to be one of those mums whose always on at the teacher (only do school run on fridays anyway so not much chance of that) but how long do you reckon I should leave it before saying anything if she is still getting the same books? TIA

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GossipMonger · 07/09/2009 22:15

write a note in her reading diary asking the teacher to listen to her read

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dollybird · 07/09/2009 22:20

DD says she has read to her, and no reading diary yet. Last year I was listing all the books she had read

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trickerg · 07/09/2009 22:59

Our reading diaries were delayed at the printers... maybe theirs are too! Give everyone a chance.... please. In Y2 there are phonics to test, word lists to test, spellings to test, reading groups to hear, maths to start, and children to orientate into the new year. It is a really busy time. Give the teacher a couple of weeks..... please. I'm sure we're all trying our best.

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dollybird · 07/09/2009 23:02

thought as much - i am really not a pushy parent!!

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melissa75 · 08/09/2009 01:43

well said tricker!!

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SofiaAmes · 08/09/2009 06:28

Also, bear in mind that kids sometimes choose to read down from their level. My dd (almost 7) is a very proficient reader, but when I get her to choose a book from the library or from our bookcase to take with her when we go out, she never chooses chapter books which she is perfectly able to read, and instead chooses picture books.

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Goblinchild · 08/09/2009 07:48

I'm working on teaching some parents the difference between being a good decoder and a good reader.
Some of mine have only skimmed books for the last 6 weeks, and although I have the levels from the last teacher, I'm testing on core vocabulary, comprehension and higher level reading skills this week. So if you're one of my parents, end f this week.

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Builde · 08/09/2009 11:13

My dd has now done three days in year 1 and has already read with her teacher so - I would say - that the teacher has probably worked it out already.

Of course, there was feedback from the reception teacher as well.

The new teacher had also taken on board our comments at the end of last term that we wanted our dd to have slightly easier reading books. The level she was reading last term were taking us three nights to read at home! And I didn't really think it was necessary to finish the reading scheme and be a 'Free-Reader' by Christmas of year 1.

Is it important to be a good decoder?...dd gave up trying to decode words ages ago because she is now used to just knowing what they are. I can see that phonics is useful for writing but doesn't get you very far in reading.

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Reallytired · 08/09/2009 16:44

Most children aren't free readers until juniors. Jumping through the stages of ORT does nothing to improve comprehension.

I think its a common problem. My year 3 son has come home with a stage 5 (gold book). Last year he was on Lime (ie. almost free reader chapter books) He also got level 3 for his reading SATs.

I think you need good decoding and good comprehension. A child who is good at decoding does so in their head.

It can knock a child's confidence to pieces to be put back several levels in a reading scheme. Sometimes easier books are necessary, but it is kinder to go to a different scheme.

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imaginaryfriend · 08/09/2009 22:09

I was wondering about this. My dd's just gone into Y2. At the end of Y1 she was borrowing books from Y3 she'd progressed so far. She can read age-appropriate chapter books quite fluently although her stamina isn't brilliant. However, the first reading book she's brought home from Y2 is one she read at the end of Reception which seems a huge leap. I wouldn't expect the new teacher to know where she is with reading but I also wondered how long it will take for her to work out dd's reading level.

I totally agree that comprehension and decoding skills are important. As books get longer and vocabulary more varied it's vital that when an unfamiliar word comes up the child has the skills to work out what it says. Dd's a great reader but I wouldn't call her a 'free reader' yet by a long chalk.