Reception reading. Not happy with school

[Sallyssss]

Hi, my daughter (who is in reception) very rarely gets one to one reading sessions(just group), and only gets a different reading book one a week (if we are lucky). I am not very happy with this? But, is this the norm? What does your reception child get in terms of reading?

Would also be interested to hear if your child goes to state ort private? (as we are thinking of chaning schools)

Why don't you just get new reading books more often than once a week if you want more?

and while you're at it, if you have the time volunteer at the school to listen to childrne read, they are probably very short staffed due to limited budgets from the government.

The Government literacy guidance promotes the use of group reading rather than individual reading and many schools work this way. It isn't unusual for schools to change books once a week.

group reading is the norm in state schools

books changed as the child progresses through the bands but some schools seem to need promting to change books

do you read at home?

The teacher probably makes sure there are opprtunities to hear childrne reading on their own throughout the week, but it may not be by sitting down with a book and readsing it, it might take the form of reading what's on the smart-board, or getting each child in the group to read a different word or sentance.

Are you worried that your DD is behind in reading?

Dd (state) has her book changed daily and has one to one reading but she has 1 teacher, 2 TA's and a really small class (16).

My DS is in YR 2 but since Reception he has read to someone (teacher or TA) nearly every day. In Reception he would change his book every day, same in Yr 1, and it is only now that he has moved on to free reading and has started bringing home chapter books that he has fewer books per week.

He is in a private school but I don't know if this has anything to do with it. The fact that there are only sixteen children in his class probably makes a big difference.

I don't think that once a week is enough one to one work unless the child is a competent reader.

Most schools adopted the group reading approach. When studies were carried out about the amount of time each child was being listened to when using a more traditional approach it was about 2-3 minutes of actual listening. Factors being the number of children in the class and interuptions from other children.

Books take a while to change for a whole class so if there isn't any support from TA's etc then the class teacher might only be able to manage the once.

You can always go to your local library and get extra books if you want them. After all you are your child's greatest teacher.

DS2 gets his book changed at least twice a week. They can change their reading book every day once they get to a certain point.

I would relax. Some kids in reception are still in nappies at night, still very little, don't push them or worry. They have years and years of compulsory education, let them take it easy while they can.

group reading not as effective as one to one when learning to read.

I help out with reading in yr 1 and 3

Both teachers complain (mildly) that I spend too long with the children (I average 8 mins per child which means in an afternoon I get through half the class)

2-3 minutes is soul destroying.

My dd1 had a fabby Reception teacher in a state school. She read with them individulally every day, books changed daily if you had finished and in every way it was a great experience. I was astounded by dd1's progress and the rest of the classes (I went in and helped with reading). DD2 started under a new head two years later and the Reception teacher was moved out. I was told her style had been 'old fashioned' and not 'real reading'. DD2 was never heard by her teacher except to assess her and did group reading once a week. The school literature said that evidence showed group reading was the most effective method. She got a new book on average twice a week and it was randomn whether the book was accesible for her or not. I also went in to help with reading and whatever the governments evidence might have been my own experience was that the children simply made nothing like the same progress. In the end I was so frustrated I just started to teach dd2 myself at home using what dd1 had done as a guide. Perhaps unsurprisingly she zoomed forward with the one on one time and her self belief has rocketed as she can see her own progress. I would say its not so much about state or private as the particular methods they use.

Thats the thing, my daughter soooooo wants to read and loves new books. I have started using our library for more reading type books. I just wish I felt the school could do more support her interest (as it may not last!)

Should say I do two afternoons a week if that makes sense.

By cornsilk Wed 17-Mar-10 19:52:27
group reading not as effective as one to one when learning to read.

unfortunately the DCSF disagree and say group reading is more effective and some schools follow every bit of guidance unquestioningly.

One book a week - it depends on what other reading is happening in school. Some schools do not have home readers at all.

Starlight - Yes, I listen to her read every day - even if its for 5 - 10 mins and then we have bedtime stories.

i used to do once a week with kids in a class with a pupil teacher ratio of 1:7 - with a book sent home changing every week (so even with plenty of resource, twas done the same way) . this is just one way to work on reading after all...

you have group reading, reading-by-yourself, reading as part of other lessons (phonics, writing etc)
it may not be particuarly challenging for a child who is a good reader, but a good reader can usually read by themselves plenty as well. One that needs more help benefits from a slower pace.

In ds' reception class they started off not really hearing ds at all - maybe once the first term (he could read before he started).

Now I think they do a group reading session once a week but I don't know how much use this is to him as the rest of the top group are a way behind him it seems (I'm actually hoping they will catch up for this reason!) so they presumably read more basic stories than he normally does individually.
Not too worried about this though as he is progressing well and maybe he gets other things out of it like taking turns answering questions and building his confidence in front of other kids.

He has taken to asking the teaching assistant if he can read a book so seems to be getting an extra individual session a week - usually seems to read to someone twice a week. Typically only half a book though.

Sallysss if she's happy at school then I'd say don't worry. If she's not then do. The reading thing I wouldn't stress over - at our school in reception they can take as many books home as they want, but they're not reading books just books to enjoy whatever their ability. They did do some phonics in reception, but no formal reading or reading schemes. It's very different in yr1 where they do guided reading every day and read to a teacher 1:1 at least once a week, though mostly more. Ask the school what their philosophy is though. It will be thought out and there will be one. That might put your mind at rest.

I don't understand why parents get so hung up about number of books/levels when there are libraries and bookshops everywhere. my ds has got his forst ever proper reading book from school today - prior to this, he was given a story book every week since starting in Jan. However, I don't really care as he has had reading books at home for at least six months

Am I right in thinking from whats been written here that the only reason group reading is deemed more effective is because children don't get enough time one on one? It seems like a matter of what you prioritise whether there is time for more than this. It became farcical with dd2. The teacher (actually very conscientious and worthy) simply didn't know what dd2's standard was from group reading. Even 3 minutes one on one once a week would be enough to realise she could read her book word perfectly and could perhaps benefit from moving up a level and also would diagnose specific problems. Policy to never read individually was just barmy.

I think its up to the parents to read with their children. Like electrofagz says, why don't you just get her a book from the library/bookshop? The books they get at school is often so boring anyway. I tend to ignore the books the school send home and buy them more interesting books instead.