LATE READER...how do you have patience? - Page 2

[rsps]

oops, double post.

[Lillian J]

I just thought about some of the things that kept up my son interest in reading for information - besides, of course, Nintendo Power Guide , a resource that has been known to get a ~lot~ of little boys reading while their moms were otherwise preoccupied with trying to figure out ways of "teaching" them to read. I used to strew interesting books around about the kind of things little boys love. He would discover and read them if and when he pleased - so whatever he got out of them was all the more an experience he owned. If you go to Vicki Cobb's Kids' Fun Page, for instance, you'll find excerpts from some of her books. They're great! My son loved Bet You Can't and Bet You Can - books like that provide all sorts of fun things kids can learn and show people. And, of course, Calvin and Hobbes, is another favorite. But it sounds like you're doing ~just great~ for now with what you've found - : congratulations! Lillian

[UlrikeDG]

Originally Posted by rsps

My son turned 8 in January. At that time, I say he was reading at a early 1st grade level, now he's 3rd or maybe higher -- it just clicked for him over the last couple of months.

This is so nice to read. My son turned 8 on Friday, and he's probably mid-to-late first grade level, and it's very obvious that it hasn't "clicked" for him yet. My 6 year old reads at least as well as he does, if not better. Then again, she *wants* to read, and he doesn't care.

[FrederickMama]

I wish i had the time to post all that i really want to say.

Short version -
My son didn't really read until 8. He was never taught. He did have access to plenty of learning materials and had watched phonics videos ( on his own - i hate phonics...).
Anyway, i had just married a school teacher that year. Luckily, my husband also was a "late reader" at 8. He was unconcerned and so was I. We knew he would read eventually and I had no time table for his learning other than i wanted him to be employable at some point between 15 -18. Other than that - I sat back and watched him learn.
Like all things - our lives changed. This past year he begged to go to school. I had previously said no and he started to enjoy homeschooling again. The last time was different and we got him on the waiting list for the montessori charter school in our area. He started the first day of this school year and has transitioned easily.
Ok longer that i thought ...but hopefully you get the idea.

[joyfulliving]

Just an idea....

Bear in mind, this idea is coming from someone whose child hasn't yet begun to read yet as he is 6yrs, so I absolutely no experience in this arena yet....

Your son likes to move so what about focusing on writing while you read the words. You'd have to read s -l-o-w-l-y of course. Writing is reading from another angle - He'd be learning the sounds as he writes them at a sub conscious level. Maybe you could read parts of the book while he writes it (id' imaging copying each word while you point to it and say it.) and you could write it too at the same time. Then maybe draw new pictures. Dunno...Just a suggestion. I think we may be facing a similar challenge next year. I am taking deep breaths and just allowing his ability to unfold at its own pace which can prove challenging when there is pressure and expectation from extended family..

Good luck,

Joyfulliving

[Brenoi]

motherbug -

Keep breathing I tell you! I am prone to holding my breathe too

The other day Jake actually sounded out a long word. He didn't guess. He didn't give up. He phonetically sounded out each part. I thought I was going to faint. We have been working a little on some spelling workbooks, but I also have been pointing out when he is reading or I am to notice the beginnings, middles and ends. I thing his extensive vocabulary and great memory have been a huge detriment to him as he can guess and use sight words without having to decode the words.

The hard thing is that I know his reading frustrates him. He knows that he doesn't read as well as his peers, but I have made a point of introducing him to other late readers Einstien, Edision etc (Hint: by the way about who he will be at the Character in History night). This has made him feel much better about his reading ability.

Plus, we don't read early readers. He drives me crazy but he loves reading about animals (I'm sure that suprises you after his adaptations presentation) and he reads a lot of non-fiction. It is frustrating because many of the words that he comes by are hard for me to pronounce let alone a struggling reader, but he enjoys it so who am I to stop him.

And I will close with a funny story - we were working on his Spanish the other day when he wrote one of the Spanish words ( I can't remember what) perfectly and I thought with no help. I almost had a stroke. I have a son that can barely read and write English but can write in Spanish without a problem. I just looked at him amazed and asked how he knew how to spell that. He's looked at me, "MOM - It's right there on the cover!" I thought phew at least he is still illiterate in both languages - He has enough strange learning patterns for me to figure out. I didn't need to try to understand why he knew Spanish better than English.

[AprilDaisy]

Thank you for starting this post. As a mother to an 8 year old that can read very little, it's a comfort to me to see this. I get slack from almost everyone around me and they don't understand about my son being this way and think it's all due to my lack of proper teaching...
It's nice to see others posting, encouraging and comforting... Makes me feel like I'll make it! lol

April