YR1 child being held back to reception level

[brownieMum]

My DD in Year1 reading has been held back to reception level. She has been getting books from PM starters level one and White New Way white level. The books are for those children who are just starting to read A BIG THING from pm starters level 1 , Dad - link www.nelsonthornes.com/pm/index.htm
though when she completed reception she could read books in Oxford Reading Tree stage 4

I saw her teacher and spoke to her and she said my DD knew a few high frequency words and was given a sheet with high frequency words Phase3. I thought they were going to change her reading books to a high level after having a word but when I opened her book bag she has got another set of these reception level books.

This is bugging me badly and have had a few tears as I know my child is far ahead than that. Despite the fact she has been put back to the start of reception level. I also asked other Mums about the books they were getting and have since discovered that some of her classmates are on 3 levels more than her.

Should I go back again to the see the teacher or perhaps see the headteacher or perhaps zip my mouth and help my child buying buying books that are at higher level and can challenge her than move her backwards. What about changing her school?

Help me please really worried?

Also

Cqan she read the books she is getting easily? Or is it maybe that she's taking a while to get back to where she was at the end of last term - that happens and is quite normal.

If she is reading the books easily put a note in the reading record book, and then go and have another word with the teacher if she isn't moved up in a week or two. Please don't get upset about it. At this age there is a HUGE spread of ability - you will probably find that there are a lot who are on lower levels than her as well.

She can read the books she is getting easily. The books are for first readers. I have put a note in her reading book before, but they still put the same levels. Seems as if they are not taking the comments on board

The PM books are used for Reading Recovery (is her school involved?) and usually a SA+ reading intervention very strange if she is reading well.

I don't know whether her school is involved in Reading Recovery. I take it ti might since her classmates are on the Oxford Reading Tree. I have other books in reading tree stage 4 which reads quite well at home.

Agree it is strange that is why with instincts I had to ask other mums. She has also said it herself that the books are too easy.

Changing schools sounds a bit drastic!

Maybe the children who are 3 levels higher than your DD are also finding their books easy, and the teacher is starting the class offf gently.

You need to speak to the teacher again.

Go in and ask. It could be a mistake. Or it could be that she has a difficulty with some aspect of reading that they are addressing. But a mistake seems more likely from what you've said. Either way, you need to know. But whatever you do, try not to worry about it. It honestly won't have done her any harm to have books that are too easy for a while - I'm sure you'll be able to sort it next week.

Will try to approach the teacher again and ask if they could get her some books on perhaps 2 level higher. I will explain that if then she finds it hard then they will put her back to a lower level which I know she won't. She read such books before she started reception.

I feel better now- thanks everyone. I will keep you posted

Does she goes out to read with another teacher ?

I had big issues with reading books with my DD she was always a good reader, even before starting school, and didnt read picture books as she says you get the pictures in your head when you read, she kept getting first reading level stuff as well, when we asked about this the teacher said every child has to read each book regardless of ability it's just the way it goes and they have to be recorded that all of the sets / series / levels have been read, DD's teacher said it was daft but that's how it works so she kindly put two or three in her bag each night so we whipped through them quick and got to the proper stuff. Could be the same at your school, might be worth asking if they could do something similar and you may have to just grin and bear it.

By atworknotworking on Fri 25-Sep-09 20:22:05
when we asked about this the teacher said every child has to read each book regardless of ability it's just the way it goes and they have to be recorded that all of the sets / series / levels have been read,

What rubbish! sorry but it is

OP, I doon't think your daughter is being held back. The teachers have used their professional skills to assess her reading and have responded according to your daughter's needs. It's their job, it's called teaching.
It doesn't matter that other children can read better than her, or worse even. Your DD is at the level that she is. You really can't compare her to any other child, that's being competative, and not really doing your DD any favours.

firstly, I would avoid having discussions with other parents about what level their children are on because that will only leave you feeling bad/worried/upset. The reality is that there is always likely to be a child/ren that are on higher levels of reading than your own because - well, there will be children that are better readers than she is. But equally there will be children that are on lower reading levels than your own child, because not all children read at the same levels.

Secondly I wouldn't start dictating what level your child should be on, I would rather go in and have a conversation with the teacher along the lines of "x is really getting through these books quickly, could you explain to me why she seems to have been moved down her reading levels?"

There is a lot more to reading than just being able to read the text, some children are good text readers but have no comprehension skills, and will therefore be kept on lower levels to improve those skills before moving up a level iyswim. Alternatively lots of schools aim to have the more challenging reading done in class, so while the child will be bringing home easy books, they will be reading levels up at school and be being challenged there. Often the aim is for the child to be able to read their book competently at home so it's not a chore for child/parent iyswim.

But if you don't ask the questions, you won't be able to find out the reasons why, and there are very likely to be valid reasons why her level has been changed.

And please don't compare her to other children in terms of reading levels - what reading level other children are on really isn't important.

I agree with mrz - don't be fobbed off with the line that every child has to read all the books at each level. DS would be bored rigid if that were the case - I know for a fact that he missed out at least two bands of ORT completely.

If your DD is finding the books too easy and notes in her reading diary aren't getting you anywhere, make another appointment to see her teacher.

Presumably you are reading with your DD at home independently of the school books; DS reads his school books but has a whole selection of books that he reads for pleasure on his own bookshelf. I agree it's annoying if you feel the school isn't challenging your DD but if she has access to the books she likes to read at home, she is still being stretched.

Totally agree with Wannabee and Mrz.

It's just complete rubbish that children have to read every book in every level. That is not applying professional judgement imo.

It is either a mistake or your child is not comprehending the story even though able to read the words. That is v. common.

Don't talk with other parents and don't tell the teacher what to do.

Go in and ask her why she is on this level and see what she says.

Take it from there and please don't be upset. It's not worth it. If your child is reading and comprehending then that is great!

I would probably make an appointment and ask if there is a problem with your daughter's reading as she has been moved back 3 levels and you wonder how you can support her at home ...

My dd has just started at a new school and there is a whole new system that I prefer tbh
The teacher periodically assesses your child and at your request if you feel a child has made great strides and directs you and your child of a colour band that your child is at.
This band obviously contains ORT and other reading schemes but also general books that are judged to be at the same level then parents and children choose their own books to be read at home.
It gets rid of the competitiveness, children choose books that appeal to them and have as many or as few new books as they like each week.
They don't have to plod through all the books in all the levels and children feel more comfortable reading books that don't have the narrow vocab of reading schemes.
Dd rarely chooses reading scheme books as she finds them boring so generally chooses books that she would find in the library and are to her interest.
It seems a pretty good method tbh and dd for one is loving it as at her old school she used to feel frustrated at having to wait for teacher to give out new books.

I do not think my daughter reads challenging books at school reading from the comments in her book but will certainly speak to her teacher regarding this as I am not sure. DD seemS to be reading those same books she brings home. This week for example if they were being taught sh, ng, th, etc phonics I would have thought it would have been ideal for one of the 2 books she brings to correspond with the phonics or High Frequency Words being taught in class that week then the other one easy to read at level.

Brownie Don't worry ... just pop to librabry or book shop and get her books she can read (ie Level 4 ORT). I realise you shouldn't have to do it, but if the school is refusung to put her at a level you feel she can cope with, do it with her yourself. I had to do this for my dc.

I had similar with DS - he was reading ORT level 3 at the end of last year, then given level 1 books this year. At first I was concerned, but he's been given several books a week to read at home, and now back up to level 2, so I'm happy to go with what his teachers think best, while carrying on reading both school and other books at home. No harm speaking to the teacher to get some explanation of their thinking.

Felt a bit hesitant to go back and ask the teacher. I had to go to the library today and got a few books she likes. I will also be going to the bookshop tomorrow with her after school and she will choose her own reading books with the High Frequency Words they need to know- so this will be anything from any reading scheme. I think it will be good for her to let her chose her own books rather than her teacher choosing a book for her to read at home.