Help my son is struggling!!!!!!

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Fifth Grade Teachers Chatboard

Help my son is struggling!!!!!!

by Shakira Knot :)

Feb 29, 2012

Hello fellow teachers. I am a Spanish teacher and this is not my usual chatboard however I am reaching out to you as a parent of a 5th grader who has struggled with reading for the past 4 years. (Repeated 3rdG.)As the year ends and the reality of Middle sch looms I am posting here in the hopes that someone would give me some direction as to what I can do to further prepare him and get up to speed. As much as I can do in his eyes I am mom so I have an excellent tutor who has been working with him for a few weeks now. Do you believe that working on fluency (using chapter books ) is best or short articles with comprehension questions? The only thing he LOVES are cars/ planes but I can't seem to find materials relating and not too advanced. Also do I find books on 4th grade level to help with the speed? At the moment he is reading 117 wpm.....I welcome any help. I am looking at 6 months before 6th grade.

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Bev-MI Shakira, I emailed you but it was returned. Valid address??

> and I will definately look into the others. I know there are many > books geared towards girls. I guess reading with him helps with > speed? His pace is such that when he reads I sometimes loose MY > focus and have to re read a section. Muchas gracias! So there is &g...See MoreShakira, I emailed you but it was returned. Valid address??

> and I will definately look into the others. I know there are many > books geared towards girls. I guess reading with him helps with > speed? His pace is such that when he reads I sometimes loose MY > focus and have to re read a section. Muchas gracias! So there is > hope? :) > > >> Shakira, >> Get him books on cars and planes even if they are above his >> level and read with him. My son did not like reading but he >> loved farm equipment, so I found him books and magazines on >> tractors and other types of equipment and it helped me get him >> to read more and improve. Maybe there is a car or plane model >> kit you could get him so he could read and put together the >> model. This would add an element of fun as he works on >> improving his reading ability and it could be a goal of his, >> to earn a model. >> >> Fluency - Find easy picture books on his level and have him >> read them a number of times until he can read as he speaks. >> Once he is able to do this with a book, go up a little in >> reading level and have him work with another book. You will >> be surprised how many books are out there at his level and >> which are short but are quality literature. (Maybe you can >> slide in a nonfiction book every so often.) >> >> Are there any old car shows coming up in your area or do you >> have a car museum near you? That may be something he would >> like to do after he reads a certain number of books. >> >> Have you tried any specific author or series to try and get >> him interested in reading? My fifth grade boys have loved >> Gary Paulsen books, the series The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and >> books written by Lemony Snicket. Jean Craighead George also >> writes wonderful books that he might like. Hatchet is a >> wonderful book that my students love, too. >> >> Hope this helps! >> >> >> >> >> >> On 2/29/12, Shakira Knot :) wrote: >>> Hello fellow teachers. I am a Spanish teacher and this is >>> not my usual chatboard however I am reaching out to you as >>> a parent of a 5th grader who has struggled with reading for >>> the past 4 years. (Repeated 3rdG.)As the year ends and the >>> reality of Middle sch looms I am posting here in the hopes >>> that someone would give me some direction as to what I can >>> do to further prepare him and get up to speed. As much as I >>> can do in his eyes I am mom so I have an excellent tutor >>> who has been working with him for a few weeks now. Do you >>> believe that working on fluency (using chapter books ) is >>> best or short articles with comprehension questions? The >>> only thing he LOVES are cars/ planes but I can't seem to >>> find materials relating and not too advanced. Also do I >>> find books on 4th grade level to help with the speed? At >>> the moment he is reading 117 wpm.....I welcome any help. I >>> am looking at 6 months before 6th grade.

Mar 6, 2012

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Sara On 3/03/12, Susan, a fifth grade teacher in New York State wrote:

Is your concern his reading speed or his reading comprehension or both? To build fluency and speed, he should be reading every day for 20-30 minutes in a book that's easy for him - two grade levels below his instructional level. If it's comprehension the same suggestion cou...See MoreOn 3/03/12, Susan, a fifth grade teacher in New York State wrote:

Is your concern his reading speed or his reading comprehension or both? To build fluency and speed, he should be reading every day for 20-30 minutes in a book that's easy for him - two grade levels below his instructional level. If it's comprehension the same suggestion could help.

I parented a weak reader through middle school, high school and college. We found a lot of books on tape and I read aloud what we couldn't find on tape. My son reads very slowly to this day - we're not all meant to be fast or fluent readers but my son comprehends well what he does get read.

> Shakira, > Get him books on cars and planes even if they are above his > level and read with him. My son did not like reading but he > loved farm equipment, so I found him books and magazines on > tractors and other types of equipment and it helped me get him > to read more and improve. Maybe there is a car or plane model > kit you could get him so he could read and put together the > model. This would add an element of fun as he works on > improving his reading ability and it could be a goal of his, > to earn a model. > > Fluency - Find easy picture books on his level and have him > read them a number of times until he can read as he speaks. > Once he is able to do this with a book, go up a little in > reading level and have him work with another book. You will > be surprised how many books are out there at his level and > which are short but are quality literature. (Maybe you can > slide in a nonfiction book every so often.) > > Are there any old car shows coming up in your area or do you > have a car museum near you? That may be something he would > like to do after he reads a certain number of books. > > Have you tried any specific author or series to try and get > him interested in reading? My fifth grade boys have loved > Gary Paulsen books, the series The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and > books written by Lemony Snicket. Jean Craighead George also > writes wonderful books that he might like. Hatchet is a > wonderful book that my students love, too. > > Hope this helps! > > > > > > On 2/29/12, Shakira Knot :) wrote: >> Hello fellow teachers. I am a Spanish teacher and this is >> not my usual chatboard however I am reaching out to you as >> a parent of a 5th grader who has struggled with reading for >> the past 4 years. (Repeated 3rdG.)As the year ends and the >> reality of Middle sch looms I am posting here in the hopes >> that someone would give me some direction as to what I can >> do to further prepare him and get up to speed. As much as I >> can do in his eyes I am mom so I have an excellent tutor >> who has been working with him for a few weeks now. Do you >> believe that working on fluency (using chapter books ) is >> best or short articles with comprehension questions? The >> only thing he LOVES are cars/ planes but I can't seem to >> find materials relating and not too advanced. Also do I >> find books on 4th grade level to help with the speed? At >> the moment he is reading 117 wpm.....I welcome any help. I >> am looking at 6 months before 6th grade.

Mar 9, 2012

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Shakira :) Knot Hi Sara, I think he is OK on comprehension and that will improve with the fluency/speed....It's the tutor who is checking for fluency and wants him to get to 150 words per min. I will definately take your suggestions about easier books. I feel better to know that we can't all speed read :) I notice that when he reads he will change the word eg. "sh...See MoreHi Sara, I think he is OK on comprehension and that will improve with the fluency/speed....It's the tutor who is checking for fluency and wants him to get to 150 words per min. I will definately take your suggestions about easier books. I feel better to know that we can't all speed read :) I notice that when he reads he will change the word eg. "she" to "he", consistent becomes consider, or fly past the period and stop in the middle of the other sentence. It is a curious thing. Have you xperienced this with students?

On 3/09/12, Sara wrote: > On 3/03/12, Susan, a fifth grade teacher in New York State > wrote: > > Is your concern his reading speed or his reading comprehension or > both? To build fluency and speed, he should be reading every day > for 20-30 minutes in a book that's easy for him - two grade > levels below his instructional level. > If it's comprehension the same suggestion could help. > > I parented a weak reader through middle school, high school and > college. We found a lot of books on tape and I read aloud what we > couldn't find on tape. My son reads very slowly to this day - > we're not all meant to be fast or fluent readers but my son > comprehends well what he does get read. > >> Shakira, >> Get him books on cars and planes even if they are above his >> level and read with him. My son did not like reading but he >> loved farm equipment, so I found him books and magazines on >> tractors and other types of equipment and it helped me get him >> to read more and improve. Maybe there is a car or plane model >> kit you could get him so he could read and put together the >> model. This would add an element of fun as he works on >> improving his reading ability and it could be a goal of his, >> to earn a model. >> >> Fluency - Find easy picture books on his level and have him >> read them a number of times until he can read as he speaks. >> Once he is able to do this with a book, go up a little in >> reading level and have him work with another book. You will >> be surprised how many books are out there at his level and >> which are short but are quality literature. (Maybe you can >> slide in a nonfiction book every so often.) >> >> Are there any old car shows coming up in your area or do you >> have a car museum near you? That may be something he would >> like to do after he reads a certain number of books. >> >> Have you tried any specific author or series to try and get >> him interested in reading? My fifth grade boys have loved >> Gary Paulsen books, the series The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and >> books written by Lemony Snicket. Jean Craighead George also >> writes wonderful books that he might like. Hatchet is a >> wonderful book that my students love, too. >> >> Hope this helps! >> >> >> >> >> >> On 2/29/12, Shakira Knot :) wrote: >>> Hello fellow teachers. I am a Spanish teacher and this is >>> not my usual chatboard however I am reaching out to you as >>> a parent of a 5th grader who has struggled with reading for >>> the past 4 years. (Repeated 3rdG.)As the year ends and the >>> reality of Middle sch looms I am posting here in the hopes >>> that someone would give me some direction as to what I can >>> do to further prepare him and get up to speed. As much as I >>> can do in his eyes I am mom so I have an excellent tutor >>> who has been working with him for a few weeks now. Do you >>> believe that working on fluency (using chapter books ) is >>> best or short articles with comprehension questions? The >>> only thing he LOVES are cars/ planes but I can't seem to >>> find materials relating and not too advanced. Also do I >>> find books on 4th grade level to help with the speed? At >>> the moment he is reading 117 wpm.....I welcome any help. I >>> am looking at 6 months before 6th grade.

Mar 9, 2012

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Bev-MI My notes to you are still being returned and not delivered.

I encouraged the slower readers to use the finger to track their reading and keep it moving, even if they come on a word unfamiliar. We do this as adults. Using context clues to comprehend the unfamiliar word. The finger method also starts to train the eyes to move faster than th...See More

Mar 9, 2012

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Sara On 3/09/12, Shakira :) Knot wrote:

A student who reads consistent as consider is not really reading - he's guessing. Either he's just flying through it or he's having trouble with decoding.

Kids who read consistent as consider are just looking at the initial syllable and guessing. Why does anyone want to push a child to read fast...See MoreOn 3/09/12, Shakira :) Knot wrote:

A student who reads consistent as consider is not really reading - he's guessing. Either he's just flying through it or he's having trouble with decoding.

Kids who read consistent as consider are just looking at the initial syllable and guessing. Why does anyone want to push a child to read faster who's not reading accurately??? Off the top of my head, I might consider getting a different tutor - a child who's not reading accurately should not be pushed to read faster.

If he has picked up on the sense of urgency that he read faster, that might be why he flies past the period as you say he does. > > Hi Sara, > I think he is OK on comprehension and that will improve with the > fluency/speed....It's the tutor who is checking for fluency and > wants him to get to 150 words per min. I will definately take your > suggestions about easier books. I feel better to know that we can't > all speed read :) I notice that when he reads he will change the > word eg. "she" to "he", consistent becomes consider, or fly past > the period and stop in the middle of the other sentence. It is a > curious thing. Have you xperienced this with students? > > > On 3/09/12, Sara wrote: >> On 3/03/12, Susan, a fifth grade teacher in New York State >> wrote: >> >> Is your concern his reading speed or his reading comprehension or >> both? To build fluency and speed, he should be reading every day >> for 20-30 minutes in a book that's easy for him - two grade >> levels below his instructional level. >> If it's comprehension the same suggestion could help. >> >> I parented a weak reader through middle school, high school and >> college. We found a lot of books on tape and I read aloud what we >> couldn't find on tape. My son reads very slowly to this day - >> we're not all meant to be fast or fluent readers but my son >> comprehends well what he does get read. >> >>> Shakira, >>> Get him books on cars and planes even if they are above his >>> level and read with him. My son did not like reading but he >>> loved farm equipment, so I found him books and magazines on >>> tractors and other types of equipment and it helped me get him >>> to read more and improve. Maybe there is a car or plane model >>> kit you could get him so he could read and put together the >>> model. This would add an element of fun as he works on >>> improving his reading ability and it could be a goal of his, >>> to earn a model. >>> >>> Fluency - Find easy picture books on his level and have him >>> read them a number of times until he can read as he speaks. >>> Once he is able to do this with a book, go up a little in >>> reading level and have him work with another book. You will >>> be surprised how many books are out there at his level and >>> which are short but are quality literature. (Maybe you can >>> slide in a nonfiction book every so often.) >>> >>> Are there any old car shows coming up in your area or do you >>> have a car museum near you? That may be something he would >>> like to do after he reads a certain number of books. >>> >>> Have you tried any specific author or series to try and get >>> him interested in reading? My fifth grade boys have loved >>> Gary Paulsen books, the series The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and >>> books written by Lemony Snicket. Jean Craighead George also >>> writes wonderful books that he might like. Hatchet is a >>> wonderful book that my students love, too. >>> >>> Hope this helps! >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On 2/29/12, Shakira Knot :) wrote: >>>> Hello fellow teachers. I am a Spanish teacher and this is >>>> not my usual chatboard however I am reaching out to you as >>>> a parent of a 5th grader who has struggled with reading for >>>> the past 4 years. (Repeated 3rdG.)As the year ends and the >>>> reality of Middle sch looms I am posting here in the hopes >>>> that someone would give me some direction as to what I can >>>> do to further prepare him and get up to speed. As much as I >>>> can do in his eyes I am mom so I have an excellent tutor >>>> who has been working with him for a few weeks now. Do you >>>> believe that working on fluency (using chapter books ) is >>>> best or short articles with comprehension questions? The >>>> only thing he LOVES are cars/ planes but I can't seem to >>>> find materials relating and not too advanced. Also do I >>>> find books on 4th grade level to help with the speed? At >>>> the moment he is reading 117 wpm.....I welcome any help. I >>>> am looking at 6 months before 6th grade.

Mar 18, 2012

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