please help have 5th grader who has trouble comprehending what she has read?

Answer 1

My brother had the same problem. He could read, not very well but he could nonetheless, but he could not answer questions about anything he read. I dont know how the schools are where you live (we're in NYC), but after years of trying everything imaginable, and switching his schools almost every year, when he was in 4th grade they put him in special education. That seemed to do the trick. The small class size and individualized attention really made a big difference.

Answer 2

Are you discussing non-fiction (like textbooks) or novel books? Each of these types of literature requires different strategies.

If you child is have a trouble reading non-fiction books I would go over the different features (pictures/graphs are critical to understanding non-fiction text. Make sure she takes time to look at them). Go over what the different headings mean (new topic or is it a continuation of the same topic). Help her/him to use glossary. For some students it is important to take notes. Make a chart that asks for the main idea of a topic and then some supporting details. This way as she is reading she is able to note the important ideas.

For fiction/novels you can always talk to the child about his or her book. Simply by talking/retelling the story helps some students to reorganize their thoughts and helps them to connect what they hace read to what they have experienced. Visualization is anoter strategy. Ask your child to read a passage and then describe it by closing their eyes. It seems simple but some children are not able to process information like this. They need practice.

Don't jump to the conclusion that they might have a learning disability right away. It is important to first try lots of different things and then go to the experts.

Answer 3

I'm not a doctor, and I imagine that there could be learning difficulties like dyslexia that could be a factor. But when my daughter was young, I would have her read out loud, and I would frequently interrupt her to ask:
'what do you think such-and-such word means?'
or "why do you think the character did that?"
or "how would you feel if you were in that situation?"

...and other times I would let her read for awhile. But if you can help her by reading together and asking questions along the way, it should help her to more easily learn the types of questions to ask herself while she reads. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Ask her to read a paragraph of the story, then stop and tell you about what she just read! And keep going like that until she comprehends more at a time!

Answer 5

Reading and writing go hand in hand. Have your daughter write in her own words a brief summary of what she reads. She could even keep a journal of what she reads and write and draw pictures about her reading. Making mental pictures of what she reads will help her to understand what she is reading. I also suggest that you read with her, making a time in each day where you can sit and read and discuss the material she is reading. Learn a new word together everyday. Place the word in a visible area in the house, discuss it, spell it, look it up and define it, use it in sentence, keep a running record of the words you learn and review them periodically. You will be helping your daughter understand more of the vocabulary she will be using in her reading by doing this and you will be building her interest in reading by sharing it with her.

Answer 6

Try making an outline of the subject as she is reading so there will will be easy reference or if this is her own book use colored markers to mark material is different colors using different colors for different subjects, never using the same color close together unless it goes together. I tried this in the past for difficult subjects and they both worked for me. Some using one method and others using the other method. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

i have the same problem. i had LD growing up. sometimes when i read i didn't understand what it ment. i would have to have someone else read it to me to understand it. i really think u need to have her tested. nothing wrong with her being a little slow at reading. if u don't get her tesed and u just let it go it could be really bad for her in the long run.

Answer 8

your 5th grader may be an audio learner. Try having her to read aloud and record her reading. After she has listened to herself read ask her questions about it.

Answer 9

Chances are she is a slow reader, and many struggle at reading. Try to get her to ask herself what she has just read at the end of every paragraph.

Answer 10

Have her read out loud, that way her mind will receive the information 3 different ways. (eyes, ears, and spoken). then discuss each paragraph with her, and then have her read over it again.
It's a tedius process but she will get better and better with practice.