The teacher is not aware of my DD's reading level

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But you failed to write and say, "Gee, I'm feeling sheepish that I jumped the gun and just assumed that my DD's teacher didn't know her reading level. Kind of silly of me to think that since "the school assessed her at a 2nd grade level," [albeit on a fluency, not a comprehension test." Instead, you continually wrote things like not needing a formal test to know your own child's reading level.

No. I still don't know if she knows my child's level because she doesn't have to listen to her read and some random parents are doing it. She sent another book - DRA 18 if you are interested.

Before you started this post, I guarantee you had zero idea what goes into assessing a child's reading level yet you can't even acknowledge that, nope, maybe you don't know her true level. .

I don't want to do complex assessment of DD's level. I keep it simple. We read books. If she reads it fluently and can talk about the story we move on. If she stumbles we read it again.

You don't want to do any assessment of DD's level - but yet you said you can assess her level on your own. Um, huh? Oh wait - you don't want to do a formal or complex assessment, just a general, overview assessment. FWIW, there are loads of kids at your kid's level. Your kid is doing just fine in kindergarten...please ease up. You've a long way ahead of you, if you don't.

[Anonymous]

Question for OP: If your DD tests at a formal DRA test at let's say a level 14, would you accept that or would you believe she has a higher level than that?

[Anonymous]

Not to throw another issue into all this, but assessment of reading levels is reading aloud. Not every fluent "inside your head" reader is good at reading aloud. Sometimes their brain is going faster than their mouth.

Cheer up everyone, it could be worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not to throw another issue into all this, but assessment of reading levels is reading aloud. Not every fluent "inside your head" reader is good at reading aloud. Sometimes their brain is going faster than their mouth.

Cheer up everyone, it could be worse.

Not true - only for some grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not to throw another issue into all this, but assessment of reading levels is reading aloud. Not every fluent "inside your head" reader is good at reading aloud. Sometimes their brain is going faster than their mouth.

Cheer up everyone, it could be worse.

Not true - only for some grades.

The grades we're talking about, right? K and 1st? So totally relevant.

[Anonymous]

In MCPS there is a writing component to all DRA levels above 16. Being able to actually read the book is only half the battle, so books will seem "easy" for a long time. Its fine though because from an "easy" book she can learn things about story elements, character traits, determining central theme, interpretation etc. and a lot about writing. There is much more than just being able to read the book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question for OP: If your DD tests at a formal DRA test at let's say a level 14, would you accept that or would you believe she has a higher level than that?

I will accept it. I don't care about scores. I just don't want her to be bored and doing easy reading at school. She needs to continue to grow her skills.

[Anonymous]

I just don't want her to be bored and doing easy reading at school.

Does she complain about being bored?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS there is a writing component to all DRA levels above 16. Being able to actually read the book is only half the battle, so books will seem "easy" for a long time. Its fine though because from an "easy" book she can learn things about story elements, character traits, determining central theme, interpretation etc. and a lot about writing. There is much more than just being able to read the book.

Well, they are not doing this kind of analysis at our K. Neither do they write about books they've read. They answer questions about what the have read, at best.

[Anonymous]

What are the character traits of Clifford the big red dog and tell me about the story plot around his birthday. What was author's intention and how do you interpret the symbolism of Clifford's behavior? Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS there is a writing component to all DRA levels above 16. Being able to actually read the book is only half the battle, so books will seem "easy" for a long time. Its fine though because from an "easy" book she can learn things about story elements, character traits, determining central theme, interpretation etc. and a lot about writing. There is much more than just being able to read the book.

Well, they are not doing this kind of analysis at our K. Neither do they write about books they've read. They answer questions about what the have read, at best.

Writing competent starts at level 20 I believe (second grade levels).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS there is a writing component to all DRA levels above 16. Being able to actually read the book is only half the battle, so books will seem "easy" for a long time. Its fine though because from an "easy" book she can learn things about story elements, character traits, determining central theme, interpretation etc. and a lot about writing. There is much more than just being able to read the book.

Well, they are not doing this kind of analysis at our K. Neither do they write about books they've read. They answer questions about what the have read, at best.

Writing competent starts at level 20 I believe (second grade levels).

"Component"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are the character traits of Clifford the big red dog and tell me about the story plot around his birthday. What was author's intention and how do you interpret the symbolism of Clifford's behavior? Lol

There is a way to answer what the author's intent in writing a book was for pretty much every story, including Clifford.

[Anonymous]

And here we come - personal insults.

I AM an expert on my child and I do think she's ENTITLED to a good education.

Being an expert on your own child doesn't make you an educator. Did you not say somewhere in all of this that your daughter tests at whatever level? Clearly the teacher does know her reading level.

OP, you had your answer. A volunteer made a mistake.

Take your child to a book store or library and choose some books you feel are appropriate.

[Anonymous]

There is a way to answer what the author's intent in writing a book was for pretty much every story, including Clifford.

Way to make a K kid hate reading. Discussion is okay at this stage, but can't we just let them draw pictures before we make them write about the author's intent. Geez.