Suggestions for older children with low reading levels

[ambohn615]

A friend of mine witnessed my 17 month old daughter reading the other day.  She was asking if this could benefit her child, he is in 4th grade but at a 1st grade reading level.  Mom and teachers have tried different techniques but nothing seems to work.  Any suggestions on what I can send her way to help?? 

[Mandabplus3]

First grade reading levels at that age suggest one of 2 problems or a combination of them both.
Firstly not enough practice. Does this kid read EVERY DAY? This is essential if they are serious about getting him up to speed. Does this kid actually do their reading homework? Children do retry little reading in school and MUST do any homework that is sent home for reading success.
Secondly he needs systematic phonics training beginning with phonemic awareness. Can the child identify beginning sounds of words? Middle sounds? Ending sounds? There is little point doing phonics if he can't.
So which phonics to use? Well I don't think it matters all that much as any is better than nothing! The key is to pick one and go through from beginning to end in order. Each level must be understood.
Choices include thrass, jolly phonics, reading whisperer speech sound clouds ( could be good for the older child) spalding ( very comprehensive) and about a 100 others to be honest.
Choose a book set that runs through phonics in a systematic way from the library and add in some sight word games ( easy to find if you google sight word games) until he instantly recognises the top 200 most common words. These words are important to learn in an instant recal fashion so that he can concentrate on sounding out the other words in a book as needed.
Start really easy so he sees success in every lesson. He has already experienced enough reading failure so keep the lessons light and as fun as possible.
Most important is the EVERY single day reading!

[ambohn615]

Thank you!!

[akalori]

Wow we had a similar problem with my eldest.  While he struggled with the basics, his baby sister advanced past him.  Eventually He was diagnosed with dyslexia.  I got him a Wilson Reading tutor and he is progressing.  Now he is about 1 year behind his peers.  He has other issues too.  He has pervasive developmental delays but hasn't been formally diagnosed.  At school he is classified as multiply disabled.  Lately we are thinking that it is probably asperger's disorder but we have managed so long without a formal diagnosis that perhaps the label would be confining.  He likes to lecture on science topics in a pedantic tone especially to his sister.  He is ahead in science.  My son has difficulty learning from others because he doesn't focus well on other people.  He is always too preoccupied with his own thoughts and ideas.  Anyway I wonder whether your friend's boy might have a more complex problem too, because that is a huge delay.  Regardless of the reason, there is a lot of research promoting these 3 highly structured multisensory reading programs: Wilson Reading, Orton-Gillingham, or Lindamood Bell.  I picked Wilson because there was a tutoring center nearby that specialized in it.  I taught my daughter to read early.  She started identifying words at 23 months and made me feel like an accomplished teacher.  But with my son, I felt like a failure.  I knew he was smart but I couldn't reach him.  I've supplemented and enriched his education a lot.  But I'm glad I swallowed my pride and got him some reading help.  I know it goes against the grain here; but at fourth grade, it is really time for intensive intervention.  I don't think it is a good idea to delay while mom learns how to deliver a structured multisensory program by herself.  Also at fourth grade the boy is at a stage where he might not respond well to mom.  They are asserting their independence a bit.  It's not like teaching a toddler who is happy when mom claps for them.  Lots of eye rolling at that age.  I can relate because my son is 10 yrs old.  Is the school in the USA?  If so they should have a reading Specialist ( probably one trained in Wilson).  I had to get an advocate to mediate with the school to get Wilson Reading at school too.  It's more expensive than the regular curriculum so the public schools tend to resist unless the parents are insistent.  My heart goes out to her, and to you for wanting to help them.
Good Luck, Lori

[ambohn615]

Great info thanks Lori!!

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