[SENco-forum] Spare time needed!

Fry Readability Programme:

http://www.educational-psychologist.co.uk/fry_readability_program.htm

Open via  Explorer (not Mozilla)

Calculates the first passage to need a reading age of 18+.

 Definitely a piece of homework to read to your grandson or  type/scan and
use a Browse aloud programme.

By changing the first paragraph thus:

Calais is a port in France.  It has both old and new buildings.  These are
often side by side.  The modern Place d’Armes is the main square standing in
the medieval heart of old Calais.  A walled town, Old Calais was occupied by
English kings between 1347 and 1558.  Only 300 metres away is the new part
of Calais.  This dates from 1840.  This new development was largely British
inspired.

While I am not going to win any literary prizes for this at least my version
has a reading age of 11 years, conveys most of the detail if not the imagery
and thus more assessable.

I wish teachers would decide what they are trying to get the child to learn
when setting homework.
 Is this a reading test? With a reading age of 18+ most children will fail.
 To learn about Calais? Can't read/can't understand so child fails.
  To learn new vocabulary?  Without proper context or pictures -child fails.

Parents are usually left a bit confused and battered as well.

I am currently up until after 9pm trying to fit ridiculous bits of
meaningless homework into a stressed and busy homelife for my new Y7.  I
normally insist he is in bed by 8pm.  Fat chance at the moment.

As SENco's or SEN related professionals we get to see the stressed out and
defeated children, but what can be done to make homework both relevant and
successful and how can we share this with colleagues effectively?

Sharon

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