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Original poster

so what's the deal with this 'magic key'?

38 replies

muddleduck · 22/04/2010 19:38

DS1 and I are very confused

Biff and co seem to have a 'magic key' - some very strange things are happening....

(He has just moved up to stage 5. all very dull until now...)

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bruxeur · 22/04/2010 19:45

Is it a penis metaphor?

I have no idea what you're talking about. hth!

TheCrackFox · 22/04/2010 19:46

Drugs seem to be the easiest explanation.

Slugbrains · 22/04/2010 19:46

The magic key takes them on adventures. one of the level 5 read at home had the key taking them to find king midas

Slugbrains · 22/04/2010 19:47

Like the previous two answers better

UndertheBoredWalk · 22/04/2010 19:47

lol I got SOOOOOO bored of the magic key books.
From what I can remember, when the magic key glows, it transports the children somewhere exciting for an adventure, where they learn something, or something like that

Seona1973 · 22/04/2010 19:47

it is a magic key that helps take them to different worlds - dd has a mix of reading schemes so we dont meet Biff, Chip and co very often.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 22/04/2010 19:49

You wait until he gets to level 11 your eyes will be watering.

mummytime · 22/04/2010 19:56

The family move to a new house. The discover, a hidden room, a dolls house in the cellar. There is a storm the tree in the garden falls down, they find the key. When the key glows they - get small and go in house (on about the third go), then have magic adventures.
The only way to keep going are to spot things: baseball cap, the school caretaker, bones, glasses. Also Alex Brycht doesn't like drawing horses.
We quite liked them, and I'm a fan of Gran. But youngest DD prefers fact books.

I don't like the new reading scheme as it sometimes has the second book in a two book story before the first one (because of the language used).

lovecheese · 22/04/2010 19:59

My DD has a VIDEO! that she found in a charity shop. I am word perfect, go on test me. (wonder why it was in the charity shop??)

gleegeekgleek · 22/04/2010 20:44

There is one really creepy looking guy in them - is he the school caretaker? Big nose, jamjar bottom specs...horrid looking fella.

I quite like the magic key books...so far.

Shaz10 · 22/04/2010 20:47

Magic Key books make me want to kill myself. Many years ago as a student teacher, I got given a Magic Key book and a group of children to do a guided read with. Remembering my training, I showed them the book and asked them to predict what would happen. "They will have an adventure", was the reply. Impressed, I asked why they thought that. "Because it's a Magic Key book, they always have an adventure in a Magic Key book". Those poor children were bored out of their minds! That one episode has always put me off Oxford Reading Tree books.

Goingspare · 22/04/2010 20:49

I thought you could have too much of a good thing until DDs' school started to dilute ORT with other reading scheme books for variety. God, there's some deadly stuff out there.

The illustrations are there to keep parents awake whilst waiting for children to teach themselves to read patiently allowing their children time to think.

ZZZenAgain · 22/04/2010 20:51

I thought they were trying too hard with those books.

Found them idiotic (space ship and cabbages or something bizarre like that?). Thank goodness we only had to read 2 of those stages and then we were off onto something else.

NorbertDentressangle · 22/04/2010 20:52

Oh no I'd forgotten about the dreaded Magic Key.

DD did them years ago.

DS is in year 1 but we haven't had any of them yet. Am I being a bit naive and optimistic in hoping the school have ditched them or have we not got to that level yet?

EricPicklesFatNeck · 22/04/2010 20:57

dd's reading books are some sort of samuel beckettesque existential scream. the word 'help!' features ALOT.

DramaInPyjamas · 22/04/2010 21:13

DS has just finished the one where they find the magic key - The Storm.
I can't wait to find out what happens next!

alittlebitbored · 22/04/2010 21:20

I love the magic Key stories. I only wish I could find a similar devise and have an jolly adventure myself. The pirates one for example, can just see myself there... I would have some fun with those hunks, believe you me

OrmRenewed · 22/04/2010 21:23

After 3 DC the magic key has a nostalgic charm for me. It was meant to be 'Magic E' wasn't it ? Or am I just too sad for words.

mumtoone · 22/04/2010 21:24

I begged at parents evening for anything other than biff and chip with the magic key. Even DS was rolling his eyes when it began to glow in every book. We've not had it for the last month - bliss

ShoshanaBlue · 22/04/2010 21:43

We are on Magic Key now - we switched over from Ginn and have to say I think I prefer themm.

MrsDinky · 22/04/2010 22:21

Yes, The Storm, which is in Level 4 explains the Magic Key, then they start in Level 5. DS is still on Level 4, but I help in his class and have sat through others reading the Magic Key ones with some trepidation...

paddingtonbear1 · 22/04/2010 23:19

dd is on level 7, and the magic key is still glowing!! We also get another scheme from school - New Way it's called. Those books are even worse!

ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 22/04/2010 23:57

I actually like the Magic Key. There's a lot of stuff hidden in the illustrations for the benefit of parents and interested children.

We're reading the Monster books more right now, though. DH remembers them from his own childhood so is on a big nostalgia kick.

NoahAndTheWhale · 23/04/2010 08:00

Magic key still glowing in Stage 8 .

I rather like them too. There was one weird one that DS just had where all Kipper's toys came to life and were involved in a kidnap plot.

Original poster
muddleduck · 23/04/2010 09:57

thanks all - so we've just missed some 'crucial' books.

Any point asking them to send us the one where they find it? Or shall we just accept the mystery and get on with it.

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