First grade reading assessments/placement and curriculum

[Anonymous]

Just wondering when reading groups typically start up in first grade-doesn't seem reading groups have been formed yet at our school. Also, does anybody know what curriculum MCPS uses? Lastly, I'm wondering if MCPS accelerates for reading at all or if all kids are expected to follow their grade level reading curriculum? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

At our MCPS, the 2nd graders are in reading groups, but it seem like they're still working on the kindergartners. (Sorry, no 1st grader to report on!)

At least at our MCPS school, acceleration is possible. I know that they try to group kids with others reading at the same level, and it is possible (though very rare) for kids to move up to other grades for reading if they can't put together a group of children at that level in the same grade. One thing to keep in mind is that reading and writing generally are taught together, at least in part, so the school would need to consider that in placement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At our MCPS, the 2nd graders are in reading groups, but it seem like they're still working on the kindergartners. (Sorry, no 1st grader to report on!)

At least at our MCPS school, acceleration is possible. I know that they try to group kids with others reading at the same level, and it is possible (though very rare) for kids to move up to other grades for reading if they can't put together a group of children at that level in the same grade. One thing to keep in mind is that reading and writing generally are taught together, at least in part, so the school would need to consider that in placement.

Which school is that?? At our MCPS school, we've been told that it (acceleration in reading) won't happen. I'd like to go to the administration with examples of where it is happening.

[Anonymous]

It appears that my DD started in reading groups last week. That is when she started getting her "book bag" sent home in her back pack.

[Anonymous]

My first graders class formed reading groups last week.

[Anonymous]

our school says they do acceleration for reading even in K. I haven't seen it in action yet, but my son says he has been "tested"

[Anonymous]

My K ds started reading groups today. He came home with a book and 2 index cards with words on them. Is there any way to know where a child was placed in terms of reading ability?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My K ds started reading groups today. He came home with a book and 2 index cards with words on them. Is there any way to know where a child was placed in terms of reading ability?

The important thing is whether he was placed appropriately. You can tell that by looking at the book and the words on the cards. Does it seem like the materials are appropriately challenging to his reading ability as you have observed it, or are they too easy or too difficult? If you are asking where he was placed in relation to other children, why not ask the teacher? Is there a reason you need to know, or are you simply curious?

[Anonymous]

I am curious.

[Anonymous]

At the school where I work, they form reading groups in first grade in November after testing done in Oct. They have already done DIBELS testing but they will do other assessments in the next few weeks. As for K, my son's class will form reading groups in Dec/Jan but the kids who are already reading are already in their own group. If your child is bringing home word cards and very short books "The cat." "The dog." "The fish." then they are probably on grade level.

[Anonymous]

what do the levels go up to? my son is in a montessori kindergarden class but i'm planning to send him to public 1st grade next year. he's reading pretty long chapter books on his own now. do they usually have groups for kids who are a few grade levels above? i am asking in earnest because i am concerned about it.

[Anonymous]

PP. I think they do. There are many kids in that same situation.

Similar situation here. Mine was reading chapter books going into K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP. I think they do. There are many kids in that same situation.

Similar situation here. Mine was reading chapter books going into K.

One thing to note, is that in MCPS the reading and writing go hand in hand. Although your child may be able to read at a high level, their writing may not match their reading ability. Once they reach a level 16 (I believe that is the right number - it was 2 years ago for us), they must respond to comprehension questions in writing. My son had read all the Magic Treehouse books before entering kindergarten, and could verbally answer questions about them, but he couldn't put those answers in writing. His writing, although developmentally appropriate, just wasn't up to where his reading was. The teacher told us that although he could easily read above a level 16 book, he didn't pass the level 16 BCR (brief constructed response - which is writing a paragraph). It has been a struggle to get his writing to catch up with his reading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP. I think they do. There are many kids in that same situation.

Similar situation here. Mine was reading chapter books going into K.

One thing to note, is that in MCPS the reading and writing go hand in hand. Although your child may be able to read at a high level, their writing may not match their reading ability. Once they reach a level 16 (I believe that is the right number - it was 2 years ago for us), they must respond to comprehension questions in writing. My son had read all the Magic Treehouse books before entering kindergarten, and could verbally answer questions about them, but he couldn't put those answers in writing. His writing, although developmentally appropriate, just wasn't up to where his reading was. The teacher told us that although he could easily read above a level 16 book, he didn't pass the level 16 BCR (brief constructed response - which is writing a paragraph). It has been a struggle to get his writing to catch up with his reading.

thanks for this.

[Anonymous]

New poster here. I get the whole reading level vs writing skill disparity. My older DD definitely had this discrepancy. But I simply don't understand why they can't give them higher level reading material and adjust the writing assignments accordingly.