LynneyPooh
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2011
- Messages
- 461
As a mother of a child who is an A student and hasn't like reading, I feel your pain! I realized very quickly it was our schools AR program that killed her love. Last year she as a 2nd grader had to have 36 points a 9 weeks because of her ability level. For a 2nd grader, whose books are 1/2 point each that came up to almost 70+ books a 9 weeks. "Mama do I have to read? I hate taking those tests!!!"
This year, I moved her to a new school, her 9 weeks goal is something like 8 points. She is doing better
She found out I DO NOT like vampire, warewolf, bat, scary type stories so she is now continually trying to "freak me out" (her words). I've yet to tell her I really could care less about her reading Goosebumps- Does this make me a bad mama???
On the other hand as a teacher, I understand the accountability your school/ district has tried to put in place. Do I really agree? Nope, not really, especailly since I've seen first hand what it CAN do...
Ideas to try:
1. Audio books- books on tape- cd-most definatly - even my lowest special ed. students are succeeding with this idea- they are reading what their peers are and their self-esteem is rising.
2. Forget the incentives, if it's proven not to work in your home- don't fight the battle - try not to have a battle about reading- I know this is a LOT easier said than done. ( this just adds more negative to the situation).
3. Does she like it when you read to her? Take turns reading: chapter by chapter- page by page- little by little.
4. Use an ipod. Books can be downloaded through I Tunes- amazon- audiobooks.com, and many more. Have her read and listen at the same time.
5. Ask her what she likes and really listen to her ideas. Ex: Just because she takes dance may not mean she wants the series about the ballerina. You stated you'll get books, magazines etc. - How much input has she had in the titles? Have a shopping trip:Turn her loose at the local book store and take notice what section she stopsin- which authors does she pick up- then go to the library and check them out
6. Is there a comfort zone for reading? Upside down on her bed? On the floor with a blanket? That's ok- wherever she feels comfortable-it's not written homework- abandoned the study zone.
7. Talk with her about how it feels to her when she reads: are the words jumping all over the page? If Does a picture form in her head like a tv show or movie? If she answers yes to the first and no to the second- Have you had her tested for a disability? If the words are jumping- does she need glasses? Also try putting a colored transparency over the page and see if that helps. (someone at school should have something of this nature, or go to a local school suppy store- they can be found "bookmark sized")
It may be that simple.
If she says she doesn't get a "picture" in her head- or you notice she tends to lean her head back (like she's looking to see the picture) there may be a disabilty involved.
My experience is when a child hates reading, there's a reason why...
If the AR points/pages/program are NOT put in the grade book I say- FORGET ABOUT IT!! Let her read as she feels the need- the love will come at her own pace. ( Don't tell anyone a teacher said that!)
If it is- and looking back, I noticed it is- use her logon & password to the program- most are internet based- and gather the info for yourself. These programs also give info like # of pgs read, level of the books tested on, scores on test taken, etc. Use this info to see if the books are too easy/hard etc based on how your child is testing and scoring.
AR has a parent portal that will send you e-mails everytime she takes a test, maybe the Reading Counts program does too. Speak to your school librian. (he or she is the one who prob. runs the program). He/she can also help you deciper the info given to in these programs, and then offer more specific suggestions to help.
Hope some of this is helpful. Good luck
This year, I moved her to a new school, her 9 weeks goal is something like 8 points. She is doing better
She found out I DO NOT like vampire, warewolf, bat, scary type stories so she is now continually trying to "freak me out" (her words). I've yet to tell her I really could care less about her reading Goosebumps- Does this make me a bad mama???On the other hand as a teacher, I understand the accountability your school/ district has tried to put in place. Do I really agree? Nope, not really, especailly since I've seen first hand what it CAN do...
Ideas to try:
1. Audio books- books on tape- cd-most definatly - even my lowest special ed. students are succeeding with this idea- they are reading what their peers are and their self-esteem is rising.
2. Forget the incentives, if it's proven not to work in your home- don't fight the battle - try not to have a battle about reading- I know this is a LOT easier said than done. ( this just adds more negative to the situation).
3. Does she like it when you read to her? Take turns reading: chapter by chapter- page by page- little by little.
4. Use an ipod. Books can be downloaded through I Tunes- amazon- audiobooks.com, and many more. Have her read and listen at the same time.
5. Ask her what she likes and really listen to her ideas. Ex: Just because she takes dance may not mean she wants the series about the ballerina. You stated you'll get books, magazines etc. - How much input has she had in the titles? Have a shopping trip:Turn her loose at the local book store and take notice what section she stopsin- which authors does she pick up- then go to the library and check them out
6. Is there a comfort zone for reading? Upside down on her bed? On the floor with a blanket? That's ok- wherever she feels comfortable-it's not written homework- abandoned the study zone.
7. Talk with her about how it feels to her when she reads: are the words jumping all over the page? If Does a picture form in her head like a tv show or movie? If she answers yes to the first and no to the second- Have you had her tested for a disability? If the words are jumping- does she need glasses? Also try putting a colored transparency over the page and see if that helps. (someone at school should have something of this nature, or go to a local school suppy store- they can be found "bookmark sized")
It may be that simple.
If she says she doesn't get a "picture" in her head- or you notice she tends to lean her head back (like she's looking to see the picture) there may be a disabilty involved.
My experience is when a child hates reading, there's a reason why...
If the AR points/pages/program are NOT put in the grade book I say- FORGET ABOUT IT!! Let her read as she feels the need- the love will come at her own pace. ( Don't tell anyone a teacher said that!)
If it is- and looking back, I noticed it is- use her logon & password to the program- most are internet based- and gather the info for yourself. These programs also give info like # of pgs read, level of the books tested on, scores on test taken, etc. Use this info to see if the books are too easy/hard etc based on how your child is testing and scoring.
AR has a parent portal that will send you e-mails everytime she takes a test, maybe the Reading Counts program does too. Speak to your school librian. (he or she is the one who prob. runs the program). He/she can also help you deciper the info given to in these programs, and then offer more specific suggestions to help.
Hope some of this is helpful. Good luck
