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| Sunday, 19 February 2006 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Boring textbooks discourage reading Millions of children are in danger of falling behind in reading because they are given boring and repetitive books in school, an expert warns. He said pupils became trapped in 'uninspiring' reading schemes, which is used in four out of five primaries. They are often forced to study set texts repeatedly, until they are judged as ready to move on. Dr. Jonathan Solity, lecturer in educational psychology at Warwick University UK, said children should be taught to read using time-honoured favourites such as The very hungry caterpillar and The tiger who came to tea. His research suggests, those with access to these 'real' books often forge ahead of their peers. Dr. Solity told an educational and child psychology conference in Bournemouth, that the reading schemes were failing to instil a passion for books. Many teachers concentrate on the series of texts, which follow the same character in stories of increasing difficulty. But pupils who struggle to read can get stuck on one level. Dr. Solity singled out an Oxford Reading Tree text, New trainers, as 'pretty uninspiring'. It reads: 'Chip wanted new trainers. He liked this pair. Chip wore the new trainers. Chip went to play. The trainers got muddy. The trainers got wet. Dad was cross. Chip washed the trainers. Oh no!' According to Dr. Solity, children need to see words in context and in a diverse range of contexts. The problem with reading schemes is that children only see one way of using a word which may be repeated or rhymed. They may believe this is the only way of using the word. "Lower-achieving pupils end up being taught lots of skills, but with a set of books that are pretty uninspiring and unvaried." He has studied 2,500 children aged seven and eight, in 16 schools in Southern England. A core group of 800 seven-year-olds were primarily given ordinary books in English lessons. These children ended up about five to six months ahead of the other pupils, including some eight-year-olds, in terms of reading comprehension (understanding). About 12,000 schools, or 80 per cent, use the Oxford Reading Tree, which follows the national curriculum, but is not endorsed by the Department for Education and Skills. It is also inspiration for the BBC's Magic Key programme. A spokesman for Oxford University Press, which is behind the scheme, said, schools found it motivated their pupils. "Children love it as they get to know the characters and can identify with them. If it wasn't motivating, it wouldn't be as successful as it is." The attack on the scheme comes after a study led by reading expert Jim Rose attacked the Labour Party's literacy strategy. Ministers responded by putting the traditional phonics methods back at the heart of reading lessons. Phonics teaches children letter sounds and how to blend them to make words. Dr. Solity said children can make good progress by applying phonics skills to 'real' books. His recommended stories for five to seven-year-olds include Dear zoo, Not now, Bernard and The very hungry caterpillar. - Daily Mail
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