Hi everyone, we hope you are all keeping well and enjoying the beautiful weather. As you know, we encourage the boys and girls to read something each day, To support this class teachers have sent home information about Big Cats and Oxford Reading Tree (ORT). These two reading schemes use slightly different banding systems, We have attached a document below to show you how the Big Cats and ORT levels compare. Firstly, check the book that your child has in their school bag and then check this band against either the Big Cats or the Oxford Reading Tree band.
If you feel that your child is making progress at their current band and that they can read with 90-95 % accuracy independently then they may be ready to move on to the next band. Please be mindful of their fluency - are they reading fluently with 90-95 % accuracy ? If your child is sounding out each word individually and without fluency then they should continue to read at their current band level.
There is no specific time frame for children moving to the next colour band. Children's confidence in reading should be considered before changing reading band. While it is a great boost to children to see that they are making progress it is important that they are not feeling overwhelmed by a new band that is too difficult for them - this may have a negative effect on their approach and mindset towards reading. If you think they are ready to move to the next level suggest that you try one of these books today - don't make a big deal about moving on to the next band until you are happy that they will manage at this level. You could alternate between their current band and the next colour this week and have chat with them about how they feel about moving on - they generally know if they are ready!
Reading comprehension should also be considered before changing reading band - is your child following the story or are they spending most of their energy decoding words? If you feel that they are not engaging with the meaning of the story then spend some more time chatting about the books at this level before moving on. To find out if your child comprehends what they are reading ask them to recall basic facts or predict what is going to happen next (stopping in the middle of a story and asking your child what is going to happen next is a really good way of finding out if they are taking in what they are reading). We have attached some other sample questions below that will help you to understand your child' s reading comprehension level.
If you feel that your child is making really good progress with their reading alternate the Big Cats or Oxford Reading Tree with a novel or take a break from the Big Cats and Oxford Reading Tree for a week and read a novel instead. If you don't have books at home at the moment Fingal Libraries have a great selection of ebooks and children's magazines. These reading schemes are designed to support children's broader literacy development and we don't recommend racing through the book bands as we feel that the content, language and vocabulary of these books is of interest and is age appropriate to your children.
We have also attached a sample reading log below - you can print this off or make your own. Maybe even make one for the whole family - see who can read the most books during the month of May! Don't forget to check out Ms McGoverns Bookworms Club - you can leave a comment or pick up a good recommendation! https://marymotherofhopejns.padlet.org/elainemcgovern/bookworms (password: bookworms)
If you have any queries about these books or your child's reading please get in touch at info@hopejns.ie
Happy reading everyone!
If you feel that your child is making progress at their current band and that they can read with 90-95 % accuracy independently then they may be ready to move on to the next band. Please be mindful of their fluency - are they reading fluently with 90-95 % accuracy ? If your child is sounding out each word individually and without fluency then they should continue to read at their current band level.
There is no specific time frame for children moving to the next colour band. Children's confidence in reading should be considered before changing reading band. While it is a great boost to children to see that they are making progress it is important that they are not feeling overwhelmed by a new band that is too difficult for them - this may have a negative effect on their approach and mindset towards reading. If you think they are ready to move to the next level suggest that you try one of these books today - don't make a big deal about moving on to the next band until you are happy that they will manage at this level. You could alternate between their current band and the next colour this week and have chat with them about how they feel about moving on - they generally know if they are ready!
Reading comprehension should also be considered before changing reading band - is your child following the story or are they spending most of their energy decoding words? If you feel that they are not engaging with the meaning of the story then spend some more time chatting about the books at this level before moving on. To find out if your child comprehends what they are reading ask them to recall basic facts or predict what is going to happen next (stopping in the middle of a story and asking your child what is going to happen next is a really good way of finding out if they are taking in what they are reading). We have attached some other sample questions below that will help you to understand your child' s reading comprehension level.
If you feel that your child is making really good progress with their reading alternate the Big Cats or Oxford Reading Tree with a novel or take a break from the Big Cats and Oxford Reading Tree for a week and read a novel instead. If you don't have books at home at the moment Fingal Libraries have a great selection of ebooks and children's magazines. These reading schemes are designed to support children's broader literacy development and we don't recommend racing through the book bands as we feel that the content, language and vocabulary of these books is of interest and is age appropriate to your children.
We have also attached a sample reading log below - you can print this off or make your own. Maybe even make one for the whole family - see who can read the most books during the month of May! Don't forget to check out Ms McGoverns Bookworms Club - you can leave a comment or pick up a good recommendation! https://marymotherofhopejns.padlet.org/elainemcgovern/bookworms (password: bookworms)
If you have any queries about these books or your child's reading please get in touch at info@hopejns.ie
Happy reading everyone!
| reading_bands.pdf |
| reading_log.pdf |
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