struggling reader 8 year old

[scrapbabe]

My son can read pretty well, but it's not something he enjoys. I don't know that he's at grade level, but I don't care so much as long as we're working on it - I think he'll catch up. But right now I'm out of ideas on "how to work on it". We do read some easy readers, but I want something fun for him to cement what he already knows and push him a little harder. We use headsprout which is likes, but I want a more formal program I can do with him. Any ideas?

Smiles,
Shalynn

[Lori D.]

You say you want something more fun... and you want something more formal. Just my thoughts here, but -- at this age, it is still work for the child to read, so I'd suggest finding fun ways to encourage more reading -- which leads to fluency, and often more enjoyment. : )

Here are some ideas:
- reading incentive program such as Book It or Book Adventure
(www.BookIt.com and www.bookadventure.org/)
- magazine subscription in his name (Ranger Rick, Jack and Jill, Highlights, etc.)
- regular trips to the library; get him a library card, and have him pick out books that interest him
- have a book basket of books at or a little below his reading level for free time
- reading software: Reader Rabbit, Word Muncher, and the Cluefinders series were fun and encouraged reading
- encourage a love of books of all types -- allow reading in bed at night for 20 minutes with whatever he wants to read (at that age, my boys loved "Calvin and Hobbes" comic collections, Where's Waldo series, Search and Find books, and books with "exploded views" and lots of short captions on Star Wars vehicles or on kids movies such as "Monsters Inc.")
- make occasional fun "reading nooks" for him (in a tree house; in a dry bathtub with lots of cushions; in a big appliance cardboard box; in a "fort" -- table covered with a blanket


And it's still good for him to *hear* reading/follow along:
- continue your reading aloud to him of books above his own reading level
- listen to books on tape
- "popcorn read" together ("you read a page, I read a page")


Patience and perseverance! My boys were 9-10 years old before they seemed to enjoy reading; a lot of it was getting to the point of reading fluency, and a lot was finding material that they connected with. You'll get there! Warmest regards, Lori D.

[sadiegirl]

I think recognizing my kids' interests has helped me develop a love for reading in both of my boys. For example, my oldest son loves hunting, fishing, anything related to outdoors. He loves stories about the "old days" and rural life. My husband also subscribes to wildlife and hunting magazines that have articles he enjoys. Nothing thrills me more than when I see him grab a magazine or a book and read rather than watch TV. I also have them bring their books that they are reading in the car when we run errands. Believe me it passes the time when they are shopping or waiting in a doctor's office.
Keep trying...I tell my kids that if a book doesn't grab them after so many pages or chapters to tell me and we can find another book for them. So many books and so little time is what I always say!!! Good luck!

[pamjk]

My 8yo dd is still struggling too. But like you said, I'm glad that we are progressing. The thing that has helped her the most was getting the "book and audio kits" from the library. We put a boombox radio next to her bed. Before bed, she listens to the tape or CD and follows along with the book. This has increased her confidence and interest in reading tenfold. I read to her everyday and we listen to audiobooks in the car, but being in charge of her own reading has really helped. I know this isn't the formal program you were looking for but I thought it might help.

I can also tell you that ds11 has just this year started to actually enjoy reading and will now read novels on his own. I never thought we'd see that day but it finally came after years of being patient.

So don't be discouraged!

[Leila]

What worked well with my son when he was just starting reading was to take him to library often and let him pick his own readers for the week. I think one of the ways you can instill the love of reading with kids is to supply them with stories that interest them. I did this with my son and it worked pretty well. I didn't give him any workbook type of reading because he saw it as extra work so I avoided that.

[Kimber]

If your son reads pretty well, then he may be bored with easier books. I say this because for a year I tried to encourage my son who is no 8 1/2 to enjoy reading. But I didn't want to burden him and turn him off. Finally, I picked out a thicker boy type twaddly book at a higher reading level (5th grade or so) that he might enjoy.

He loved it and finished it in a few days.

In our case, harder and more interesting was much better. Because at 8 the interest level is usually pretty well beyond beginning readers. Although, my dd10 who reads tons of books will read anything given the chance. According to her no books are really bad, it's just that some are really, really good.

[ELaurie]

see if you can find something he is excited about reading - even if it is slightly above his current reading level. My ds 8 discovered The Boxcar Children Mystery series this year, and he always asks to read "one more chapter" - words I thought I would never hear him say :)

Currently, I read a page, then he reads a page, which makes reading at this level a it easier for him. He's not at the stage where he would pick them up on his own and read them on his own yet.

Last summer, as an incentive to encourage him to read, I made a chart, and told him and ds 5 that when they read 100 books, I would take them to the Lego store. Even short books, such as Bob Books counted toward the gaol. Longer books, such as short chapter books, counted as more than one book. Between the two of them, they read 100 books in less than 6 weeks, and it really helped ds 8 increase his ability to read fluently.

[Kimber]

Now that is a good idea!

[scrapbabe]

Thank you all so much! I appreciate the ideas.

Smiles,
Shalynn