Reading tutor?

Question

I am a volunteer for a free tutoring program at my college and I was paired up with a 5th grader who needs help in reading. I love literature and I have no problem finding materials, but I'm having difficulty thinking of how to approach the sessions. Do I just listen to her read and correct her for two hours? I don't see how that would help or get her at all... Sessions start next week. HELP?!

I spoke with the girl's mom yesterday and she told me she doesn't need so much help in the actual reading, but in getting involved and interested in what she's reading. Apparently she's a bit lazy too...

Answer 1

If motivation is the issue, try asking HER what kinds of things she likes. Is she a Harry Potter fan, dragons, horses? Some kids that age get into non-fiction as well. The Read Naturally program has a lot of short reading passages on non-fiction subjects. When one of my kids shows an interest in the short passage (Helen Keller or Harry Houdini, for example) I find a longer book on the subject. In our school, Bridge to Terabithia is very popular with fifth grade right now, with the movie due out in February.
The Kenneth Thomasma book, Naya Nuki, The Girl Who Ran , is an historical fiction book based upon Sakajawea's twelve year old friend who was kidnapped at the same time, but chose to escape and make her way back to her tribe. Naya Nuki also comes with tapes with background information and each chapter is taped by the author.
The books Holes and Narnia series were big last year. Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade is a perennial favorite.Many Judy Bloom books might appeal to a girl of her age. My autistic student is heavy into step by step project books like how to build a robot or do origami. My ELL student still likes books that have both the English and Spanish in them.
There are some picture books which are really more appropriate for older students such as Pink and Say, a book about two boys, one black and one white, during the Civil War. I still find it hard to read that without tearing up. Excellent way to start a discussion of Civil War.
Check out the literature circles technique which is heavy on discussion of the book, making connections with own life etc. If she gets excited about a certain author, have her write to that author.
Some girls get into poetry, both classic and modern, humorous and serious. The nice thing about poetry is the rich vocabulary and figurative language.
If she won't tell you what she likes, try spreading a variety of types of books and magazines on the table and let her pick something to start with. Your job will be easier if you can figure out what she wants to read. If she chooses something that is a little too difficult, perhaps a 7th or 9th grade book, you can help the reading process by doing some of the reading with her. Maybe she reads the left side pages and you read the right side. If there is a lot of dialogue have her choose one or more characters to read, and you read the other, or the description parts in between the dialogue.
Take the time to establish some rapport with the young lady. Good luck.

Answer 2

Having the child read outloud does help because enunciation of the English language and so many other things are learned from doing this like correct expression, the ending of sentences, blending words correctly. Pronouncing words for them that they do not know and explaining meanings of words helps them. Another thing is comprehension of what is read, you could devise some learning materials that can improve that skill. Have them answer questions about what was read.
There is a book called "How to Tutor" that has a section on how one can homeschool children in reading. Read that to get some ideas.

Answer 3

Try reading the book CDB! or CDC! by william steig with her...
its fun and this method is used in other countries to help students read the english language.
or try some nice reading games!

Ex from CDB!
CDB! (see the bee!)
D B S A B-Z B. (the bee is a busy bee.)
O, S N-D! (oh yes indeed.)

my fav one has a pic. of a little boy talking to his dog (see if u can figure this one out. say the letters outloud to help u understand them better)
I M A U-M B-N.
U R N N-M-L.

one time in fifth grade, i was out in the school yard reading CDB! outloud with my friend. then a whole lot of other kids came to join us (even a teacher). we all seemed to enjoy reading it. the teachers were so astonished to see 20 kids pilled on top of each other trying to figure out each sentence in the book! i still have that same copy ( and im in high school!). im still lookin for CDC!, i heard it was pretty good!