HELP My son is in the second grade and really cant read ???

Question

I had him evaluated for learning disabilities. HE is getting help by the school 30 min per day but he was not exempt from state tests because they think its ADD (medication is out) However he has a vocabulary that is unbelieveable. I dont understand why he doesnt even know the words it takes 45 min just to read a book...a kid book with mostly pics) and I have to tell him at least 25 words or I say sound it out.. any ideas????????

Answer 1

If you can, get a list of "sight words" from his teacher and practice these each night. Sight words are the words that are frequently seen on a daily basis: he, she, it, they, the, was, were, and so on....

Then you can practice finding the sight words in his reading - as he is reading, or as you read to him, highlight those words (literally highlight with a marker or just point them out). You can also make a game of it by finding them in a newspaper article - a small one obviously. Usually if you make a game of it, it is easier for them to do, or they will want to do it. Flashcards are always an option, but become monotanous eventually.

The biggest thing is to get him into a routine, and 30 minutes a day is really not a long time when you think of it. It flies!

Also, when I was a short term substitute for a reading specialist, we had a routine that we always did. The small group would come in and we would work on vocabulary of what some words in the story meant, but also show how it looks in a book so the students can develop the sight recognition. Then we would read the book together (called chorus reading) after I would read the book to them first to model the reading. After this, the students would pair up and read to each other. Are there other siblings he can read to as well? Are there friends that he can read to? That may help as well, so it isn't always you doing the reading with him, and it just gives a change of setting as well.

After all of that we would summarize or predict together. This way I knew that they understood the book and what they read. Some student can decode and read amazingly, but they don't know what they read. It seems like your son is opposite and he knows the vocabulary but does not have the sight recognition of what the words look like on paper.

Lastly, never - ever - feel bad about asking his teacher for help of what you can do at home. Most teachers would appreciate parental involvement and questions. I know I push for parental communication and involvement because I have found it is best for the kids that way. The kids accomplish so much more when these two things happen. The teacher should have endless resources to help you and if he/she doesn't have it in their possession, they have the means of getting resources for you. I am a teacher in an elementary school and there are so many other teachers I can go to with things or questions/resources....the possibilities are endless!

I hope that this helps you, I know it is a struggle, but once he starts to catch on, it will be a humongous reward! Like I said before, any way that you can turn it into a game would make him so much more interested and successful than if it stays a struggle. Good Luck!!!!

Answer 2

What did the tests say?? He may have difficulty with phonics. Sometimes the school focuses on the level he is currently in. Did he miss a lot of school in kindergarten or first grade? Sometimes if a child misses something, that would cause hardships later on. Does he have a hearing imparement that could hinder the way he hears the sounds? They need the foundation in order to build the bridges. Stick with him. Allow him to sound out the words, by giving him the answer, he's not learning. Have him practice outside of school as well. Try labeling everything around the house so he gets use to seeing common words. Try fun games like scrable to get him interested. Leap Frog makes really fun, educational games that may help also. My fiance has ADD and he has an amazing IQ and reading level, he has to be into what he's doing in order to concentrate on the activity. Find books on topics he likes. Hope this helps

Answer 3

Well, you sure are involved in this kid's life and specifically education. It isn't because of a lack of enriching environment, that's for sure!
OK, so that doesn't help much.
You might have to start putting up all kinds of index cards with words on them, especially for his favorite things.
You tried hooked on phonics, right?
Anyway, some kids are really visual learners.
Some do have ADD, but let me tell you something.
If they want something, they'll read the word to get it.
They'll practice.
And, each word will only take a few seconds of effort to memorize.
Oh, and hey, if you try switching the cards when he's not looking, you might be able to make him laugh. Like, putting the word "nose" on a banana. Or whatever.
Maybe if his confidence goes up, and the frustration is less, he will start to see himself as a reader. He will be more willing to try, to focus, if he has already had a taste of success.
And, it will minimize the load of frustration you have to deal with at one time. That changes the whole emotional tone between you, I would imagine!!
Hope it helps, even a little!
Good luck either way!

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
HELP My son is in the second grade and really cant read ???
I had him evaluated for learning disabilities. HE is getting help by the school 30 min per day but he was not exempt from state tests because they think its ADD (medication is out) However he has a vocabulary that is unbelieveable. I dont understand why he doesnt even know the words it takes 45 min...

Answer 5

Keep up the good work by helping him every step of the way. Kudos to you. Most parents give up which is very very sad.

Read everything to him -- street signs, food labels, the TV Guide, anything. ADD kids like things fast and in a hurry so try shorter books. Start with toddler books if you have to. If he can complete a book -- ANY BOOK -- in a shorter time period, then he'll feel more encouraged to tackle longer books.

Give him incentives. I recommend a sticker chart (sometimes referred to as an incentive chart). For every book he completes, let him add a sticker. When the chart is full, give him a "prize". The two of you will have to decide what motivates him.

Get him "Reader Rabbit" (or Jump Start or any educational game) for the computer. ADD kids are very into video games and the like because of the fast pace. Use that to your advantage and buy some educational games.

Good luck to you!

Answer 6

Don't rely only on the school to help him learn to read . . . you need to work with him every night as well.

My son is in the first grade and is reading at a second grade level due to my husband and I working on his vocabulary words constantly. We have even bought him video games and PC games with the characters he likes that will force him to read.

Good luck!

Answer 7

I had the same prob. don't let it affect the way you communicate with him. Read patiently every day to him first then let him re-read the same back to you. Try to just sound out the words that he needs help with and not everything else. For me, ADD med. is also definitely OUT. No matter what teachers say. I found that reading EVERY DAY has helped. Individualized attention without interruptions will boost his confidence in reading and making errors along the way. Answer any questions he has on spelling and sounding out right away.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

You could give some of the games & activities on these sites a whirl, see if it helps any:
http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/phonics/control_page/front2.htm
http://www.seussville.com/