quick question about year 1

[susyp]

just wanted to compare notes - my daughter is in year 1 and only gets new reading books if she remembers to put her books in the box to be changed. She's 5, not 6 umtil July, and although I know she should do it she very rarely does which means we are not getting new reading books regularly. I have spoken to the teacher, and been dismissed that this is the way they do it - then spoke to infant head - who then spoke to teacher who reminded them more regularly and we got new books for a while - but today she hasn't got one and her friend has and she said she didn't put her books in the box again.

I am thinking I will just start handing the books to the teaching assistant the day after they haven't been changed and asking for a new book quite firmly. If this doesn't work I'm going to have to go and see the head which seems a bit dramatic for something so basic.

just wondered what other schools do. Her teacher said it was all part of taking responsibility for their belongings and was really quite dismissive but it doesn't seem right that her reading could slip because she can be a bit away with the fairies about remembering things?

thanks

susypx

[nunheadmum]

I think it's a hard balance for the teachers to achieve between trying to get the kids to be independent and making sure they do what's needed. But I agree that I think they'd err a little more towards making sure the reading books were changed over the independence. Our school tend to be quite good at things like little reward charts or the likes to encourage the kids.

Could you maybe try a reward chart or something at home - stickers for every time she remembers?

I would keep trying with the teacher / assistants too and if they don't do something about it, take it to the head. I know the teachers are stressed in class and it may be that your daughter is doing well enough that they don't feel the extra home reading is so critical. But that isn't good enough - if she got that attention, what could she achieve.

[2degreesfrommadness]

Or take a more proactive role, books dont just have to come from school, maybe organise regular trips to the library so She can get used to the responsibility of changing books; or have a supply of "home" books to read with her; or remind her to change her book as you drop her off!

[Mrs TP]

Fine to try and make the children responsible but there needs to be some sort of checking / reminder system. At 5 turning 6 she will not be the only one in the class forgetting. Talk to the head or head of Key Stage 1. Schools responsibility.

I endlessly tell my 4yr nearly 5yr old to clean her teeth but unless I hover over her in the bathroom it doesn't happen - I don't just walk away and say I told you to do it your fault if you didn't, which in essence seems to be the attitude the school is having.

[Mrs TP]

Oh yes and can you suggest that if it is too much for them to manage could you be allowed to go into the classroom at some time and do it yourself.

[susyp]

it can take my daughter an hour to eat her food just because she is so distracted by things on the table / chatting. she is very unlikely to remember to change her books on regular basis. and they don't let parents go to the classroom with them although i could ask to if this carries on. i agree with you Mrs TP - you can ask them to do things but it is still an adult responsibility.

just had an almost argument with the TA and am just simmering down while i decide whether to go and see the head or at least have another chat with the head of lower school who is at least friendly unlike my child's teacher?!

apparently it's the way they do it she said if she can't do it now she'll never be ready for year 2 - it's the main thing they have to learn in year 1. I said no the main thing is to learn to read and write.

and feel bad as then i said goodbye to my daughter in the midst of this argument so it's a horrible way to leave her (although i know she'll forget it immediately she sees her friends).

right just rang school and head of ks1 is off today and then i am at work 4 days next week and would rather see in person - do i try and see the head or is is this really something i should keep to ks1 and not bother the head with? seems a small thing but it's really wound me up becuase of the attitude that it's not the teacher's responsibility.

susypx

[Mellors]

I am probably pretty slack, but it wouldn't worry me tbh. We decided early on that school books are boring anyway (Tim, Tam etc - uurgh), so we read whatever we like all the time - lots from the library and at home. Both my kids are great readers now (Yr 1 and Yr 2), which to my mind is the main aim. They are interested in books because they get to pick topics that suit them (even if they wouldn't be my choice!) - just like in "real life". I just told the teachers this was what we were doing and they were fine with it.

[susyp]

yes good idea i think we'll start using library books. i was getting "reading books" but it was hard ot get the right level and they were too long. but i guess she can read anything really , it's just the principle of reading regularly that i want her to maintain, which is hard to do with no books - the good thing about school books is that she sees them as hers to read , the ones we have at home she is used to us reading to her. but we'll probably implement a new way of doing it from tomorrow that she picks some from the library for her to read and some for us to read. It's going to be easier than constantly fighting the school. I've asked to see the head to make my points about the reading (last year she was on too low level and when i made a fuss about it last september with new teacher - she jumped 5 levels!) , so it's generally a problem in her school i think. I feel that they are holding her back, which is completely insane. Plus her teacher is completely impossible to have any dialogue with which is not particularly nice.

susypx

[Mellors]

I just let the kids pick whatever they like at the same time as I get my books from the library - we all enjoy a good browse (I particularly like Dulwich library kids room). We get a much better range of books, and they surprise me with their choices (DS in Yr 2 has taken to reading kids encyclopaedias in bed?!). Some books are above their level and we read them together, and some are the right level/below and they read them alone or to me. I read all the time, so they see books as just being normal/fun rather than a chore.

We talk about them together as well - what they liked about the stories, if they thought they were boring/surprising etc. Its great if they get into a series of books that they love.

It also teaches them how to use a library and respect for books - they know they have to look after them and return them on time (even though there is actualy no limit on kids books).

For me its all about enjoying it - there's nothing worse as a child, or a grown up, than being forced to read a boring book. If they read enough they will hopefully get to know their own tastes and improve their reading skills/vocabulary naturally without having to follow a set path.

Its one of the areas where I really feel school can be too prescriptive and can hold them back (I know they have rules etc). I'm happy to go my own way with the teachers' knowledge.

[Mrs TP]

The relationship between class teachers and parents doesn't always work but hopefully this will be different to the relationship she has with your daughter. I would wait until the end of next wk to speak to head of KS1; you will have had chance to reflect on exactly what it is you want as a result of the conversation by then. I don't think you are asking for the earth for someone to make sure she has a new book each wk, pretty standard primary school stuff. But don't let it bother you for a whole wk either, not worth it in the whole scale of life :) - just one of those annoying things.

[susyp]

i went in and saw one of the assistant heads, who was lovely, and made me feel like wasn't going mad- he said if i had asked for her books to be changed each time then they should be, regardless of whether my daughter follows the system or not, and he would make sure that was understood. And that was that. I used your analogy of teethbrushing :-) . We will also get books from the library but what was annoying was being told I was wrong every time i spoke to the teacher about this being their responsibility not my daughter's. I don't particularly intend to have any more dialogue with her as i get really wound up every time and life is too short!. Happy that I feel confident again with the school generally though which was the main issue.

susypx

[Mrs TP]

Glad all sorted :)