My son began reading at the age of 3 going on 4. He was always several years ahead in reading until this year (2nd grade). He is still reading at least 1 year ahead, however, he is now starting to have comprehension problems on the more complex stories and math problems.
I had him tested and the results indicate that he is a whole word reader that has made up his own phonics rules. Somehow, he missed out on phonics and is now starting to have issues with reading. This may be due to a move during the early part of 1st grade.
My son has become frustrated with reading and hates it. Yet, he reads fluently at a 4.0 level. We believe he is rushing and skimming the story instead of actually absorbing the story. This is apparent from his test answers. He is also mildly ADD.
We are presently searching for a tutor in our area. At this time we are having him read outloud to us, making sure he reads each and every word correctly (thanks Victoria!!!).
Can anyone recommend books, workbooks, reading aids that would help reaffirm his phonics without reading kindergarten level books? Also, are there any workbooks that emphasize reading comprehension that you feel an 8 yr old might enjoy?
We would like to have him practice during the summer break and in between tutoring sessions.
Thanks! All advice is welcome.
Re: 2nd grader with comprehension issues - questions
Janis — please email me as well with the contact for that workbook
I have a student that is going to need two or three series to get the ideas more firmly stuck in his head and actually applied (adult PDD, warehoused in school) and another option might help.
Parent — I personally use a set of workbooks that are inexpensive, reasonably complete, not too childish, and have as much variety as possible in phonics exercises. My warning with any book is that phonics deals with *sounds* and you have to *say* the words and sounds on the page out loud for any workbook to do any good. Silent seatwork in phonics is a contradiction in terms and counterproductive. It is important with any workbook that you sit with the child and actually teach it.
The ones I use are the *Check and Double Check* series from Scholar’s Choice, scholarschoice.ca (note ca, not com)
Your son would definitely need Book 2 which deals with multi-letter patterns; it might not hurt to do a quick review of Book 1.
Re: 2nd grader with comprehension issues - questions
Janis, Victoria,
Thanks for the information! I will be looking in to it this weekend if possible. Unfortunately, a family emergency has occurred and I am trying to juggle everything and be in two cities at once.
Lost Parent,
You really need to concentrate on getting the decoding skills in place first. Obviously poor decoding will have a negative effect on comprehension.
I’d suggest using the book, Reading Reflex by Carmen and Geoffrey McGuinness, available at online bookstores for under $16. You will need a workbook to get through the advanced code and multi-syllable chapters. Fortunately someone who operates a reading clinic and tutors PG has completely redone the workbook for advanced code and multi-syllable and made big improvements over the one that was designed to go with Reading Reflex. If you decide to use Reading Reflex, send me a private message and I can give you the contact information for the person who sells the workbook. A workbook and manual is in the $30 range.
There are two CD-rom’s that I’d suggest you get. One is Earobics and the other is the elementary CD-rom from Sound Reading Solutions. Both will compliment what you are doing with Reading Reflex (also known as Phono-graphix).
Here are the sites:
http://www.earobics.com/parents/p_products.cfm
http://www.soundreading.com/pages/programs.cfm?id=EC28DCC4-5DE9-4279-B636018EBD2A0EF0
The best comprehension program as far as I am concerned is Visualizing and Verbalizing by Lindamood-bell. However, you need to get the decoding in place first.
Janis