Question about K reading groups

[Anonymous]

So I was volunteering and observed that my DD is in the lowest group. Im not totally surprised, she is definitely not reading yet and was slower perhaps than most to learn all the letters etc. Is this something to be concerned about at this point or in a year or so might it not even matter? I try to work on stuff with her at home, but she resists and the more I push, the more she pushes back and I don't want her to hate it either. Any insight would be much appreciated for this first time mom in MCPS

[Anonymous]

I would talk to the teacher. There's always going to be the lowest group, so that in and of itself is not a problem. As for strategies for reading in K, I wouldn't push. My kiddo liked to word games in the car that helped, e.g., making up silly rhyming songs, I say a word starts with this letter, you do the same...that kind of thing. Otherwise, just continue reading books that she likes every day and asking her questions about them.

[Anonymous]

Also ask how often the groups change. I was really surprised in K to learn that the small groups change composition fairly frequently.

[Anonymous]

Must be a subject dear to my heart, because I just thought of one last thing. Talking to parents going into K, I was convinced they all knew how to read. That's what the parents who mentioned it said. Mine did not (just knew letters and sounds). He learned in the spring of kindergarten and is doing fine.

[Anonymous]

my kids were not reading at this point in K (they are now in 1st). They started at the bottom level 1. Now one is at 9 and one is at 12. Don't worry. All the good research shows that early reading is not a good indicator of intelligence or a good predictor of anything other then early reading. She will get there when she gets there.

[Anonymous]

my kids were not reading at this point in K (they are now in 1st). They started at the bottom level 1. Now one is at 9 and one is at 12. Don't worry. All the good research shows that early reading is not a good indicator of intelligence or a good predictor of anything other then early reading. She will get there when she gets there.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all! This helps alot. I really appreciate it

[Anonymous]

How big is the lowest group? In my kids K, the kids who know their letters and letter sounds but are not easily reading comprise about half the class. There are two more advanced groups and a maybe one or two kids who do not yet know their letters and sounds who get extra help. I wouldn't be worried if your kid is in the first group.

My kid is in that biggest group and is making progress. I'm mostly not worrying. My older DC was in roughly the same spot and is in a top reading group in 3rd grade.

[Anonymous]

I don't think reading level in K matters much except for that they are on track by the end of the year.

[Anonymous]

there were 3 others in her group. Each group had about 3 or 4 kids, maybe about 5 groups total. I know it is barely November and I see some strides so far. I just hope it is all clicking for her

[Anonymous]

Do you read to her a lot? When I used to read to my kids, I would point to the words as I was reading. These were very simple, #1 Reader type books. Then when I got to a simple word, like let's say "mad", I would ask DC, what would happen if I put "s" instead of "m"... most times DC would get it, and in this case would say "sad". You could repeat it, and say, what about "b" instead of "m".. bad..etc. I found this helped my DC (who was not as strong a reader as my older DC) to pickup recognizing words and sounding them out. DC loved reading time but didn't like to try to read by DC's self, even though I knew DC could read some words. I think DC just liked having me read to DC.

[Anonymous]

How could you tell? I volunteered and small groups rotated through centers but it was impossible to tell the levels of the groups (I was trying bc I'd like to know where my son is). I was reading a story at one of the centers and asking kids questions about the characters, setting, conflict and resolution. Couldn't tell who was where.

[Anonymous]

don't worry about it. it will come. some kids that were in the lowest reading group in K end up being the best students.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is in K and is reading some. She hates reading, always wants me to read to her. Of course this is great too but I want her to follow the words sometimes so I stop at easy words for her to fill in. This way I know she is looking at the text and keeping up with it.

Usborne has "very first reading" books where the adult reads the left page and the child reads the right. They always rhyme and the words are easier. They are a lot of fun. They are at MCP libraries.

I also suggest you help her with all the K word-wall words. We made them into flash cards and she puts a sticker on it every time she gets it right.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I am not telling you to worry, just giving you some suggestions if they are reluctant. It all evens out by 2nd grade.