5Th Grader Having Reading and Comprehension Problems

Teacher supply stores will have a section on reading comprehension. There are ones with short stories based on true events, science, and other more interesting stories. Each assignment is a quick to read story, with different reading levels followed by comprehension questions.

As for reading, have him read books below his learning level, that is so reading is not frustrating at all. Take him to the library couple times a week to let him pick his books.

I would avoid the group afterschool classes at schools. But talk to his teacher to see if he/sh can recommend another teacher for private tutoring.

Hi M.,

My son is also in fifth grade. He is quite smart, but not real motivated. He does well in all areas of school, but I have noticed his reading comprehension has gone down quite a bit.

My sister and brother-in-law are both fifth grade teachers. They advised me that in fourth and fifth the comprehension gets much more difficult, and a lot of kids drop.

There is a great website called tickettoread.com where the kids read passages and then reply to comprehension questions. That may help especially if he is more inclined to be on the computer than sit down with a book.

Also, I do not know how your school teaches, but in ours for some reason they have taught the kids to speed read and test them on their fluency and time. I have noticed that my son when reading aloud is very non-expressive and too fast. Personally, I feel that this teaching tactic has cost him in developing comprehension skills because he is too focused on being fast. When we read together, I try to slow him down and ask him to predict the future path of the story.

Taking turns reading aloud together really has helped us to bond, and I think it is helping him also with connecting to the story. It is a relaxing way to check his progress and there is no stress for either of us. I would recommend trying this. We only do a few chapters a night so even when we are running behind it is not a big impact.

Good luck.

C.

I have a million suggestions... I am trying to think of which is best for reading comprehension. How do you know it is reading comprehension? There are so many facets to reading/language -- it could be something else. For now, I'd say start with a book and the book on cd or tape. Your son can read along with the cd and take frequent breaks (every fourth or fifth paragraph) to tell you what is going on in the story. If you can hear your son reading with the cd, he'll have a much better opportunity to comprehend because he is hearing the content as well as seeing it. Good luck to you!

Alot of schools have free tutoring you should check with your sons teacher.Also if you have time reading to your child can be good,when my son has problem with comprehension I always make him use the dictionary its also good for pronunciation of words.

If he is in public school talk to the RSP teacher. She could test him if he is way behind. If not, she should be able to give you specific help in reading/comprehension. I don't know where you live but I worked in the school system prior to retiring with special needs children who were mainstreamed and some of them had that problem.
I hope you find some help...he need to get the help now.
H.

If you find some reading that he is interested in he will excel in reading. Take him to the book store and allow him to choose reading of his liking.

LUCK TO YOU

Speak to his teacher, and ask if you should request an I.E.P individual education program its called, its through special education, if he is below his level there might be some dyslexics going on, if he is able to have special ed bring in a aide to help him, its worth the meeting this way there is no cost out of your pocket

I would recomend a personal tutor over a place like sylvans. My experience with them was very negative. It sounds like your son excells in things he likes. Getting him to like things he has trouble with is the key. You want a tutor that will make it fun and interesting. Speed is not the issue here. It may take a few years for him to really catch the reading bug if he's naturally not a good reader. My daughter didn't catch on to reading untill junior high when they started reading books that she loved. In high school it's become one of her best skills.

I make these reading bookmarks that help kids guide through main characters, plot, etc. I originally designed it for my kids. If you want to send me a private message w/your mailing address, I'll mail some to you.