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AIBU?

To be annoyed at difference in approach to reading in different classes

16 replies

Molehillmountain · 10/04/2013 20:51

Dd is in year two and has been a fluent, wide reader since the end of reception really. She was assessed to have a reading age of nine half way through year one and has recently been scoring full marks on the sats tests they've been practising. The teacher has said her comprehension is good. You would never hear me saying this in real life nor would I post it like this, but dd is ploughing her way through the rest of the reading scheme which is dull as bloody dishwater whilst children in other classes seem to be becoming free readers left right and centre. Dd says there aren't any in her class. I can't believe I even asked, having spent two and a half years letting the school do their stuff and letting dd read, apart from her reading books, just what she likes. I am so tempted to have a conversation with the teacher about it but then I guess I've become "one of those mothers".
Aibu to at least bring it up with the teacher? Or should we just sit tight.

OP posts:

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Salmotrutta · 10/04/2013 20:55

Bring what up exactly?

The dullness of the reading scheme? The lack of free reading?

Did you mean she reads what she likes at home?

What do you want to say to the teacher exactly?

kinkyfuckery · 10/04/2013 20:55

How do you know what teachers/kids in other classes are doing?

Salmotrutta · 10/04/2013 20:55

Sorry about the second "exactly" - unnecessary.

Salmotrutta · 10/04/2013 20:57

And yes, how do you know what the whole class is doing?

Your not that mum that rifles through other kids' book bags on play dates are you??

Salmotrutta · 10/04/2013 20:57

You're

Groovee · 10/04/2013 20:57

Do you let her do free reading at home at bedtime or when she wants to?

mummytime · 10/04/2013 21:26

When I was at school we had a really dreadful reading scheme. You had to go all the way through it, and the only way you got the next book was to write the answers to comprehension questions. I hated writing.
So although in infants I had read the "Orange Fairy Book" and similar, and by year 6 (equivalent) had read "Little Women" etc. I was still on the scheme.
My class teacher that year "lost" the comprehension books, I became the second free reader in the class within a term.

I read a lot outside school, which is far more important to reading than progress on the scheme readers. Let your DD read widely outside of school.

redskyatnight · 10/04/2013 21:27

If you want to have a conversation with the teacher it should be along the lines of "what can I do at home to help DD improve her reading?". Because there will be something.

What stage of the reading scheme is she on? What does "ploughing through them" actually involve (it's it's just spend 5 minutes read a few pages every night, then is it such a hardship?).

When DS was in Y2 the vogue was to push the able children onto being free readers as quick as possible. IMO DS was pushed on too quickly and it really put him off reading for a good while. DD is now in Y2 (and a better reader than DS was at the same age) but no one in her class is free reading. DD can read much longer/complicated books at home - but actually there is value in her reading the school books - if only from the point of view that it exposes her to types of story/text she wouldn't pick out for herself.

howshouldibehave · 10/04/2013 22:05

I don't really understand your OP-are you annoyed that this teacher is holding her back?

What level is your DD for reading? Which reading books is she being given?

Molehillmountain · 11/04/2013 02:36

Okay- I'm going to rein myself in. No book bag snooping here-just anectdotal evidence from snippets of conversation and dd! Dd's teacher very well respected and tells me dd doing really, really well with reading. She seems to keep them on the scheme longer than other teachers which may be no nad thing. I suppose it's just that I would far rather be reading quality fiction with dd than the scheme books and although it sounds ridiculous, in our house one on one reading time is quite precious. Which might be a good word to describe me on this one I guess! At least posting on mumsnet stops me embarrassing myself in real life!

OP posts:

StupidFlanders · 11/04/2013 04:06

When my ds became bored I just started getting books from the library and said to the teacher casually when I saw her that he didn't need home readers anymore - we're getting books from the library.

She seemed pleased and it never crossed my mind that I shouldn't. What could she possibly say?

NoSnowJustSand · 11/04/2013 05:33

I agree with PPs, just get your DD to read whatever she likes outside of school. There a whole world of other books out there, the reading scheme ones will be over and done with before you know it. Do agree that many as incredibly dull!

NotTreadingGrapes · 11/04/2013 06:23

But why is it a problem for you?

You say yourself your daughter is a fluent and happy reader. That may be in spite of the reading scheme (and though I am abroad I did partake with dd of the ORT for about 5 minutes before wanting to eat my own head in despair!) but so what?

Just relax in the knowledge that as far as reading is concerned it's one thing you don't have to worry about! (to give a comparable example, the English teaching at my dd's school is deplorable, truly truly baaaaaad. The teacher has been made to train as an English teacher by the school, corrects my (bilingual) daughter's (non-existent) mistakes etc etc. Dd and I just have a complicit grin about it and say "oh well, it's only English, and we sure don't have to worry about that!"

everlong · 11/04/2013 07:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mutley77 · 11/04/2013 07:11

I disagree with the overall view here so I'm probably wrong! My DD is a "super reader" - like you I wouldn't say that out loud IRL but she is!

Anyway at one point I did go and say to the teacher "would you mind listening to DD read as she seems to be finding this level very easy now and has been on it for a while?" - therefore deferring to her judgement but giving a subtle push. Anyway she took it really well and did as I asked and put DD up a level.

I think sometimes they just can't keep on top of what 30 kids are doing esp if there isn't a problem. I don't see why children should have to repeat what they find easy even if they can read other books at home - I think it can be frustrating and counter-productive.

And I have only been to see a teacher with a question like that twice since my DD started school 4 years ago (once for that question and one other time when maths homework was too easy) so I don't count myself as a "difficult" parent in general

Lonecatwithkitten · 11/04/2013 07:54

Personally if she is reading well and widely outside school I don't think it matters what she reads in school. Something went wrong with the teacher, parent, pupil relationship in year 2 for DD beyond the fact that I went in to see the teacher as DD was being bullied and then it all fell apart I don't know. But for the rest of the year DD was pretty much dismissed to the point at the end of the year the comment was " ah the kitten's reading hmmm" and then much sucking through teeth. Well I just continued to encourage her to read outside of school and come September the new teacher assessed her and she then was moved off the reading scheme missing the top 5 bands.

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