Thanks Ladies.

Heidi your posts are so informative, are you a teacher by any chance?  I get more information from your posts than I do from my sons teacher!

I am going to be signing dd up for the TEAM READ at the libarys this summer as encourages kids to keep reading I will be chossing books that are suitable and she can read they so Usborne Phonics readeres and others like that at the libary near us so will try and get early reading books for her althouhgt the preschool section in the libary offers lovley books suitable. my dd's best freinds about 3 books levels under dd and her mums going to choose easier books for her  if that makes sense, my dd;s school has had the most impressive reception year for reading, writiing and maths x

I had this conversation with my dd teacher today as I want to continue reading with her over the holidays, she suggested reading any book with her and to read it to her and get her to read any keywords that is in it, and to go over the phonic sounds again with her.

She did say that the children often go backwards abit when they start yr1 as they've had a big break and firget easily at this age. I don't want this to happen thats why I want to continue to read with her.

I had this conversation with my dd teacher today as I want to continue reading with her over the holidays, she suggested reading any book with her and to read it to her and get her to read any keywords that is in it, and to go over the phonic sounds again with her.

She did say that the children often go backwards abit when they start yr1 as they've had a big break and firget easily at this age. I don't want this to happen thats why I want to continue to read with her.

if your teacher is suggesting reading other books, then I would go to the library and chose a variety of books, both fiction and non fiction. 

the purpose of reading differnt styles is to have exposure to different type of writing, layouts and of course subjects.  look at the punctuation, words on a page, words used.  it doesnot always mean that the more words on a page, the harder the book, its the ability to read and understand the words that matter.

chose a book, look at the cover, discuss what you think the book might be about, when your child reads it, ask questions about differnt things on the pictures.  ask about other scenarios on the page, how the story could be written differntly, ask what you think the ending might be.  was it? what other ending could there have been.

look at contents, indexes, glossaries.  depending on ability of child this brings additional interest into the book.

look for similar spelt words, look for words that sound the same but spelt differently.  ask your child to find certain words, ie key words.  notice punctuation, capital letters at start of sentences and names.  full stops and commas, speech marks.  they will be introduced to these through year 1,and if they are aware of it in books, it helps with their understanding to write it themselves.

remember that any kind of reading is good - books, papers, comics, maps, leaflets, roadsigns, notices.

make sure you find books that have topics of interest to your child.  a lot of school books can be boring which puts children off reading.

school books are written in a structured way to learn reading in a process. first pictures, then a few words, then introduce tenses, punctuation, speech marks, key words.  these get built up as the books get harder.  as a parent we just think they are boring and very easy, but they are designed to help a child develop and understand their reading.

the last most important thing to do, is to discuss the book to ensure your child is understanding and retains what they read.  if they "read" the words, but cant remember the story, then they are not reading and retaining the content.

as a general guide, if a child struggles with more than 5 words or so on a page, the book is too hard. 

Over time, children need to develop their fluency and expression/enthusiasm, so reading differnt characters with different voices, understanding when speech marks are used and using emotions.  this is where listening to parents is influential because if children  hear adults using expression, ie when teachers/tv tell stories, they make it interesting, it helps children realise why they need to use expression.

When the school books come home next term, make sure you listen to your child read them, and encourage the books to be read a few times, especially if they have to read this book to someone at school.  I used to listen to readers and I could always tell the children that had or had not looked at the book at home.  it usally meant that the kids who hadnt looked at the book, couldnt read it properly, so didnt progress through the grades of reading books as quickly, because assessments were done at each level.

enjoy the summer!

HEIDIH

My son is in reception and currently reading ORT books.  Other than ORT what other reading books do they use in reception / year 1?  His teacher has asked that over the summer if I encourage him to read to try other books than ORT as she doesn't want him studying the same font, text and stories.

Can anyone help please?

Thanks,

Shaz