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Primary education

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Dd was put in a Early Literacy Support Programme.

10 replies

toffeeapple · 19/01/2010 21:22

Hi, I really need advice on this.
Basically Dd was 5 last July and she's in year one.
In reception last year she was the youngest of her year, and she wasn't at all interested in reading or writing although very advanced in other domaines (drawing, speaking, gigsaws etc...), so she was in the bottom set.
This year though, after a rocky start, as she matured, she became increasingly interested in reading and writing, and although she started in the bottom set, has moved up a group.
She's now flying through the reading, she's still on a low level books though, which seem easy for her, and her handwriting is beautiful.
Each day after school she takes a pen an paper, writes things from plays to stories to letters etc... (obviously still makes mistakes), she reads everything she sees (from labels to e-mails )and understands the meanings and the stories,and she ABSOLUTELY loves it all.
I recently had a note from her teacher telling me that her confidence has recently increased and that she's working really well in lessons.
Now my problem is, since monday she has been put into an Early Literacy support program with 5 boys from her class (bottom set and quite naughty).
I wasn't told until today where I got a letter but Dd has known since friday.
Everyday they spend time with the TA doing sounds, games etc...
After her first lesson yesterday she said to me: "Mummy we've been through some tricky words like "and", "to" and "the". But they are not tricky at all."
She's known how to read those words for a whole year!! If not more.
So far they have learned those three words, and the letter K, the letter C and the letter R. In two lessons!!
She told me she was bored there, but doesn't like to say anything.
She is also a highly sensitive child, easily overwhelmed by new things and big groups and very eager to please.
I'm concerned that because she's very quiet and sensitive, they're mistaking her quietness for being slow or behind and don't know her true abilities.
This is a child who speaks fluent english and french, her speaking grammar is perfect, she reads books which have 6+ lines, and writes beautifully.
I've booked an appointment with the teacher to talk about it, but I was wondering if anyone thinks that the early literacy support programme is worth sticking to even if the child is already more advanced, or is it going to knock her confidence and make her take a step back?
I'm sorry it's so long

OP posts:
geogteach · 19/01/2010 21:35

DD did it last year, it has increased her confidence greatly. Like your dd she was starting to get it before but that intensive work was great and she enjoyed doing well (compared to the naughty boys) and being top dog which she never was in whole class teaching. She is in a higher group this year but I think misses that small group time she had with the ta

coppertop · 19/01/2010 21:35

My ds did the same scheme in Yr1. He was already reading pretty well but it was thought that he might benefit from the scheme.

The earlier sessions of the scheme are as your dd describes. Lots of looking at words that they already knew. Ds complained a couple of times about being bored.

He stayed with it though and tbh it turned out to be really good for him. He skipped several levels of the reading scheme books and suddenly started to really enjoy reading. One year later and he's still a book worm.

I would say that ELS could well be a very positive thing for your dd. I would speak to the reacher about it just to put your mind at rest and so that you can reassure your dd that it does get a little more interesting as they get further along the course.

toffeeapple · 19/01/2010 21:47

Thanks very much for reading my ridiculously long post!!
Thanks for replying too, actually I've just read something about the ELS on the National Literacy Trust website. It does sound quite good.
I think what reassured me was the fact that they said those 20 minutes are designed to take place in addition to the daily literacy lesson.
I thought in might be instead of or during.
So that's put my mind at rest already.
I will see what the teacher has to say but your replies were really useful thank you!

OP posts:
sundew · 19/01/2010 21:54

hi toffeapple my dd has been put on this scheme - she is also quite good at reading and writing. When I spoke to the teacher very briefly they said it is designed to build confidence - which my dd lacks at school. Not that you could say that outside school .

Maybe because your dd is quiet they are trying to build her confidence in class.

Friends whose children have been through this scheme say how good it is.

Madsometimes · 20/01/2010 10:20

My dd1 was also put on ELS when she was in Y1. AFAIK, ELS is not designed for children that are struggling, but more for those who need a boost.

Therefore it is often given to children in the middle set, rather than the bottom. It may be that the boys that she is with also need their confidence boosting, which will improve their concentration and make them less of a handful.

popsycal · 20/01/2010 10:22

ditto what all others have said

it will give her a boost andhelp her cop[e with year 2 next year

toffeeapple · 20/01/2010 11:30

Thank you it's funny, now I'm in a complete different state of mind, now I think she's lucky to have been picked!!
I think the main issue here is that I first heard about this from DD.
Then I got a letter.
Because DD wasn't sure herself what it was all about (the TA said it was a surprise), DH and myself started to imagine all sorts (as you would.).
I didn't even know what the ELS was, now I'm clearer about it and thank you all for your feedbacks it has really helped.

OP posts:
pobsy · 20/01/2011 16:06

Hi.
I'm a ta currently running the ELS course.
I started in October (schools vary as to when they start the course) and I think it's great. I agree with the other posts - it is partly to increase kids confidence. I've seen a lot of improvements and they all seem to enjoy it.It's based a lot on short games and to start with a lot involves repeating reception letters and sounds but I've just reached the stage where we've overtaken the year one class and doing great!!! Good luck!!

bitsyandbetty · 20/01/2011 17:40

Normally they only offer these classes to children to give them a boost in the class in both confidence and ability. They also normally pick those whose parents are involved in their kids education as it involves extra work. My DS did this and he really enjoyed it and gave him a real confidence boost. Initially I was worried that he was seen as slow (my own problem not his) but I am glad he did it. Now year 6 and very confident. Take it as a complement that they are trying to help her. There are others that just get left to stagnate.

pinkhebe · 20/01/2011 17:43

my son is doing the ALS (additional literacy support) in year 3 and I'm thrilled :D

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