PA
Teaching unions have said that the controversial new reading tests for six-year-olds are flawed and could be damaging.
Three unions have criticised the tests inclusion of made-up words such as "voo", "terg" and "bim" - included in the checks to thoroughly test kids reading skills.
The critics say that these words will frustrate those who can already read, and confuse those who can't - or those for whom English is a second language.
The new test - announced last year amid fears poor readers were slipping through the net - checks pupils reading skills at the end of their first year of formal education. It is phonics based and focuses on the sounds of words, rather than recognition of whole words.
Youngsters are tested on their ability to sound out, or decode, a series of words - including made up ones - to assess their reading prowess.
Some of the made-up words include "voo", "terg", "bim", "thazz", "spron", "geck", "blan" and "fape".
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) have voiced their concerns over the test, and are calling on ministers to re-think their plans.
They argue that it will not help to improve children's reading skills or assess whether they are able to understand the words they are reading. The unions also say that parents will not be able to gage how well their youngsters are doing.
Dr Mary Bousted, the ATL general secretary, said: "Phonics should not be the only game in town; it is just one of many equally valid and useful methods of teaching children how to read."
Schools Minister Nick Gibb defended the schem, saying: "There is a weight of international evidence which demonstrates that phonics is the most effective way of teaching early reading."
What do you think? Are your children about to take these reading tests?
Best books for children aged five to eight years
- Pippi longstocking<p> This classic, featuring adventurous and incredibly strong Pippi, has been given a modern makeover, thanks to Lauren Child’s vibrant and distinctive illustrations. Ideal for girls who aren’t entirely pink and princessy –they’ll appreciate a character they can identify with, even if they can’t quite lift a horse one-handed.</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pippi-Longstocking-Gift-Astrid-%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Lindgren/dp/019278241X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300875569&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Pippi Longstocking Gift Edition</a>, by Astrid Lindgren, with illustrations by Lauren Child, £9.99, published by OUP Oxford<br /> <br /> </p>
- The global garden<p> Part of an imaginatively designed series which brings non-fiction subjects to life via pop-ups and plenty of other interactive features.<br /> <br /> The Global Garden explains which everyday products come from which plants, picking up on questions which hit the spot with kids, such as ‘where do my jeans come from?’, and ‘what does a chocolate tree look like?’</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Global-Garden-Kate-Petty/dp/1903919169" target="_blank">The Global Garden</a>, Kate Petty, illustrated by Jennie Maizels, £12.99, published by Eden Project Children’s Books.</p> <p> <strong>Other favourites by the same author:</strong><br /> <br /> The Wonderful World Book.</p> <p> </p>
- Horrid Henry<p> You might not like Henry’s horrid exploits (just hope your child doesn’t start to copy them!) but there’s no denying he’s hooking kids into reading. The HH titles are particularly popular for newly independent readers just starting on ‘chapter books’.<br /> <br /> Set them off with this, the original story and they can then plough through the series – there are 19 books so far. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Horrid-Henry-Francesca-Simon/dp/1858810701/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1300887571&sr=" target="_blank">Horrid Henry</a>, Francesca Simon and Tony Ross, £4.99, published by Orion.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p>
- The enchanted wood and Faraway tree<p> Three book series of timeless classics about siblings Joe, Beth and Frannie, and their adventures at a very special tree amidst The Enchanted Wood. There they meet Saucepan Man, Silky and Moon-Face and encounter the magical lands of Birthdays, Goodies, Do-As-You-Please and more.<br /> <br /> Controversially, some of the characters’ names have been changed in recent years - Fanny and her cousin Dick are now Frannie and Rick, whilst Dame Slap has become the more PC Dame Snap (she no longer goes round slapping either) but all the enjoyment of the original remains. <br /> <br /> 'It's about a magic tree with lands at the top. I love the little people who live in the tree and the slippery slip they slide down on,' says Isabella, 5.</p> <p> <strong>Other favourites by the same author:</strong><br /> <br /> The Famous Five<br /> <br /> The Wishing Chair series<br /> <br /> Malory Towers</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1405230274/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=074974801X&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0TW66B70PEY5XVZ027R7" target="_blank">The Enchanted Wood/ Faraway Tree series</a>, Enid Blighton, £5.99, published by Egmon.<br /> <br /> </p>
- Charlie and The Chocolate Factory<p> The perfect place to start among Roald Dahl’s many magnificent children’s books, although younger children will need this reading to them, rather than managing it by themselves. Reclusive and eccentric to say the least, Willy Wonka decides to let five children into his factory for the day, where ‘marvellous surprises’ await but be warned, they’re not always pleasant.</p> <p> Will Charlie make it to the end of the day and change his, and his impoverished family’s lives? A hugely enjoyable and imaginative morality tale of how good wins over bad.<br /> <br /> 'I have read it and watched the film too. The funniest bits are when the chocolate palace melts on the prince’s head and when Augustus Gloop goes up the pipe!' says Luca, five.<br /> <br /> <strong>Other favourites by the same author:</strong><br /> <br /> All of them! But particularly:<br /> <br /> James and the Giant Peach<br /> <br /> Matilda<br /> <br /> The BFG<br /> <br /> Fantastic Mr. Fox<br /> <br /> The TwitsCharlie and The Chocolate Factory,</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Charlie-Chocolate-Factory-Roald-Dahl/dp/0141322713/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300971321&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Roald Dahl</a>, £6.99, published by Puffin.<br /> </p>
- Flat stanley<p> The extraordinarily-named Stanley Lambchop is squashed by a falling bulletin board. Far from squashing his enthusiasm for life too, being flat opens up all sorts of possibilities. He squeezes his way under gaps in locked doors, doubles as a kite and perhaps, best of all, can be posted to California. Well, it saves on the airfare.<br /> <br /> <br /> Later books see his adventures evolve – Stanley becomes invisible in one and visits outer space in another. A wonderful series for the upper end of this age group to read alone.<br /> <br /> <a href="http:// http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1405204176/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0061129046&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1BN0H0NK7XGD1P22QT6C " target="_blank">Flat Stanley</a><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1405204176/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0061129046&" target="_blank">, Jeff Brown</a>, £3.99, published by Egmont.<br /> </p>
- Riddle of the Raptors<p> Two favourite themes of this age group – dinosaurs and space – collide resulting in a series which has been a massive hit. Boys in particular seem to love the mix of fantasy, silliness and adventure.<br /> <br /> With 19 titles to get through, Astrosaurs are responsible for transforming many a reluctant reader into bookshop/ library/ Amazon regulars.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Astrosaurs-Riddle-Raptors-Steve-Cole/dp/1849411492/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300974429&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Astrosaurs series</a> –shown here Riddle of the Raptors, Steve Cole, £4.99, published by Random House</p>
- Ballet<p> Whatever your child is into – from ballet to bin lorries and pirates to ponies - there’s probably one of Usborne’s excellent hardback guides on the subject.</p> <p> Carefully chosen language lets newish readers manage on their own yet keeps the 53 titles highly informative. Ideal for children who prefer fact to fiction, or who fancy a change from storybooks. Also worth a look are Usborne’s ‘Puzzle Stories’, such as Puzzle Train and Puzzle School - stories combined with puzzles as the name might suggest.</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ballet-Usborne-Beginners-Susan-Meredith/dp/0746074530/ref=sr_1_22?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300974769&sr=1-22" target="_blank">Usborne Beginners</a> non-fiction – shown here ‘Ballet’, £4.99, published by Usborne.</p>
- The worst witch<p> Mildred Hubble isn’t exactly top of the class at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches –she’s forever messing up her spells and crashing her broomstick.<br /> <br /> Impressively, this was written when Jill Murphy was still a teenager herself and has gone on to sell millions of copies. There are shades of Harry Potter to it (although this came long before) but it’s written for a slightly younger audience. One of a series.<br /> <br /> <strong>Other favourites by the same author:</strong><br /> <br /> Peace at Last<br /> <br /> Whatever Next!</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Worst-Witch-Young-Puffin-Story/dp/0141314508/ref=pd_ts_b_3?ie=UTF8&s=books" target="_blank">The Worst Witch</a>, Jill Murphy, £3.99, published by Puffin.</p>
- A bear called Paddington<p> 40 years on and presumably Mr and Mrs Brown are still regretting adopting this accident prone little bear, after finding him at Paddington Station.</p> <p> A charming, now classic story which will induce nostalgia in many parents and smiles in young readers.</p> <p> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bear-Called-Paddington-Michael-Bond/dp/0007174160" target="_blank">A Bear Called Paddington,</a> Michael Bond, £4.99, published by Harper Collins</p>
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