[*-*]

I was after some opinions.

DD1 (year 5) Is requested to do reading for at least 15 minutes a day. No issues there, she loves to read.

She has, however, been bringing home books to read out of the "reader bin" - These don't utterly thrill her. Some are a little dated.

So she has been reading her own books. Now, she has issues with emotional development, so she has been reading books that are somewhat "personal" - personal experiences etc. She has read the entire whimpy kid collection, and is fast making her way through the Dear Dumb Diary series. Both these series have been good for her, in that she can see social situations unfold, and how others have coped.

Would it be fair enough of me to ask her teacher NOT to make her bring home classroom books, but to keep a log of her own books? I am not sure it is the content they are going for, more consistent reading... which we will achieve better with her own choice in book.

[bye]

Absolutely ask the teacher if your DD can choose her own books - it's possible she is already, but from a sad selection in the classroom. Ideally your DD should be asking the teacher herself - I've negotiated many a "deal" with students over the years, to cater for their special needs/whims/choices.

As long as they are reading books (and I used to ask my kids for at least 15 minutes and preferably more) and they're trying to improve their comprehension and vocab, all is good IMHO.

[fancie]

With my DD from year 3 onwards, the teachers allowed DD to keep track of her non-school reader books. It was their suggestion to her as she was and still is a prolific reader.

Even reading the newspapers counted.

If I were you, I would most certainly ask. The worst they can say is no.

[aprilrain]

I have a yr5 ds and he has borrowed a "Percy Jackson" book from the classroom, which he had read previously. He is now reading others out of the series that we had at home, and some that we have borrowed from the council library. I find the council library a great learning experience for ch as they can use the online catalogue to find authors other books and put holds on. I would like to think teachers would be wrapped that your ch likes reading enough that she doesn't have to be spoonfed books from the classroom. I have also found the school teacher librarian loves to suggest to me books she thinks my ch will enjoy, and may stretch them a little.

Your point about content is a good one. I read about 60 Enid Blyton books in Yr5 myself, eg Famous five etc, and probably would have benefited from reading more books about different subjects and written in different styles. If you want to know great books for girls maybe google some lists. People seem to love to share when they find good books..

[Akatara]

We've been sourcing our own books since the start of year one.

The school never seemed to have enough interesting books or readers available. The school has a library, and they all go on a Wednesday, so she can get books from there each week.

Our local library has a book club for school aged kids too which is good. It keeps it interesting.

[mum850]

Both my kids at school have been doing this since early primary, though they are good readers/ I am surprised they still offer readers at year 5?

This post has been edited by mum850: 27/02/2012, 01:52 AM

[MichP]

Both my children source their own readers - yr 3 & 5, either from the library or home. They are also encouraged to read different types of texts not just novels.

[Persnickety_]

My daughter just started grade 3 and she is now expected to find her own books to read, I would actually prefer readers ATM as she struggles a little and tends to pick books from the library that are to advanced for her.

[FrogIsAFrogIsAFr...]

I think in Year 5, the best thing a child can do is read something they enjoy - kids can develop a lifetime love of reading and books at this age if they're engaged in what they read. I don't think a teacher will force a child to endure readers at this age, if the child isn't into the content.

For about 6 months, all my son read was 'Top Gear' magazines, I'm sure of it! He loves to read, is the same age as your child, OP, and is currently reading the 'Horrible Histories' books....

[*Lena*]

I am sure her teacher would be fine with that. As long as she is reading she really wouldn't mind.