I think I have reached my breaking point. My 8yr has alot of issues retaining the information he is learning in school. Some days he comes home and he is on point with his work. Other days its like he didn't go to school that day. He is currently enrolled in speech outside of the school, due the to the lack of progress with the speech provided at the school. he HATES to read I has a Nook and other books that he seems to be interested. I really don't know what else to do? He said he sat in the gym and stared around when he was supposed to be reading. I try to keep an open line of communication with the school. they stated they weren't seeing the same issues I was. He is an A/B student, however he fluctute on his STAR reading test. He is also going to reading twice per read in a smaller group in school. Does anyway have any ideas that can use to help with reading and getting an overall more attentive child(normal for a boy anyways lol), Thanks for all your help so far.
Does he like comic books or graphic novels? Does he have a pet or toy that he could read to? Maybe he would like to read and act out plays. There's also a series of books called "You read to me, I'll read to you". The stories are short and are meant to be read out loud by two people. The lines are color coded to avoid confusion.
When he does read a story, ask him to tell you about the story.
As far as the reading goes, maybe he just isn't a reader. Some people aren't. It doesn't mean there is anything "wrong" with them. It just isn't something they enjoy. For others (like me, my husband and our daughter) it is something we crave. We enjoy it. It is relaxing. Our son? Not so much. He pretty much only reads when he HAS to read something. He reads ok, he just doesn't enjoy it much.
He is older (9th grade) and has to do a lot of reading that isn't fun. So it doesn't help him like it any better.
If your son is having to read a lot of things he doesn't enjoy, then try to find something that appeals to him and lets him practice his reading at the same time. The graphic novels someone suggested is one idea. Or sports magazines, if he is into sports. Or an easy biography of a favorite athlete or hero of his. Let him read joke books. Or funny stuff (like Wayside School, or Captain Underpants, or Stories of the Campfire Weenies). Whatever he will enjoy and forget that he is doing work/reading.
You've gotten a lot of good advice already. I would second all of it - eye testing (not just vision but focus and tracking), schedule, exercise, fun reading choices, and give him support and love.
My daughter was "not a reader" and was way behind expected "grade level" reading until she was 9. Then, her reading progressed tremendously during 3rd grade. Some kids brain development is just what is called "asynchronous" which means some subjects will come easily and some will not until their brain development catches up.
We read to her for 30 or more minutes every night, which makes reading enjoyable and helps comprehension and vocabulary. We let her read picture books and graphic novels (cartoons) if she wanted to. We tried not to push her or make her feel like something was wrong (although the school did a great job of that...) She is now in the top reading group in 5th grade and scores at 99th percentile on standardized reading tests.
You need to help him by finding things for him that he WANTS to read. Take him to the library and let him pick out what he likes. Boys can be like this.
On the other hand, CHILDREN can be like this when they have learning disabilities. Pay for a psycho-educational evaluation. This will identify how he learns, where his deficits are, and provide much needed guidance for your school. They cannot override a private evaluation's findings, and you can have the results added to your son's IEP.
I know you are frustrated, but don't be frustrated with your son. He's a child and reacting like a child. You are the adult and have to help him, and that means being his advocate and getting the diagnosis you need to require other adults in his life (ie, the school) to do the right thing by him.
Good luck,
Dawn
Maybe he isn't a reader, but, if he is receiving speech...I would investigate further.
What did his teacher say to you last yr about these concerns? Did he receive speech or any other services during the preschool yrs? Is he under a 504? Does he need glasses?
A Mom I worked with last year brought her daughter to a vision screening w/ my rec. Sight is different. Her sight was 20/20. Her vision was off===and reading was a most difficult task. This girl received vision theraphy all summer and now she is doing great !
Children with sensory issues are in sync one day and out of sync another day. Most of the kids I have seen with sensory have had speech issues and/or attention issues. A gym might be to over-stimulating to be able to concentrate --for your son---based upon what u are saying.
First, does your child sleep enough? I ask this because a Mom I just talked to today caught her 9 yr old texting (last night) at 1:20 am.
Proper sleep is essential.
Is he getting the proper nutrition? Stay away from artificial flavors, dyes, processed foods, etc...
On the same note, see if the schools Occupational Therapist can rec a sensory diet. If he is not in sync---reading will come more difficult for him.
I am hearing speech issues, reading instruction and probably some sensory issues. When he comes home from school, give him a very healthy snack, have him do some excercises (a jungle gym, jump on a trampoline, place a big excercise ball on the floor and let him roll on it) to keep him feeling in sync and chewing gum will help him focus. The jaw gives sooo much input toward concentration.
Has anybody at the school rec auditory testing? It sounds like an outside full evaluation needs to be done. He is 8. The academic challenges get harder in the upcoming yrs.
He sounds pretty normal. I know you want to pull your hair out but just keep trying different types of books and he may find some thing that clicks. Or read with him.
Read to him every night for about 30 mins on things above his reading level. Boy things like Hatchet, or Aragon, or Where the Red Fern grows.
Sometimes their reading comprehension isn't good if they are farsighted. Have his vision checked.
I suggest that if his teacher is not seeing a problem you take a step back and try to relax. My granddaughter didn't like reading at that age either, but now at 12 she's always got a book in her hand. She'll choose to read over watching TV.
He's interested in Nook. Get books for him to read with the Nook. And you said he's interested in some other books. I suggest he's interested because of the subject matter. Check out books at the library, letting him choose the books.
As to staring around the room when he should be reading. Again, if the teacher isn't concerned you needn't be. Don't you have times when you just can't seem to focus on reading? That's normal.
If what Kristen C describes fits your concerns then I'd also recommend getting a full evaluation. You can do this thru the school. Call the district office and ask to speak to the office that does evaluations. In my state it's called (the county) Intermediate Education Service District Office.
Or you can go thru a developmental pediatrician. My grandson's insurance has paid and continues to pay for an evaluation and treatment independent of the school district. My daughter uses the service of both offices for my grandson.
Do you notice any difference in the good days and the bad days in terms of his diet? The reason I mention this is that I found out early on that my son reacted strongly to red food coloring and chocolate. Good luck.
It sounds like you are doing all of the right things, and the school is on top of it, too. If the teacher isn't concerned, I wouldn't be either. I teach AP English in Texas, and the STAAR test is still very new. They are constantly revising it, and adjusting the standards. I wouldn't let the STAAR test be the base line for your concerns. If he's making As and Bs, and the teacher isn't worried, he's probably doing just fine. I do understand you wanting him to read more; remember, I'm an English teacher. :) That will likely come in time, hopefully. Just keep doing what you're doing.
The suggestion of getting him more books on the Nook is a good one. Also, I have two boys, 8 and 15, and we will all read (separate books) at the same time together in the living room. It's nice all being together reading. My husband joins us to read whenever he is home. Then we'll all talk about what we're reading. It's like a little book club except that we're reading different books. We really enjoy that.
Also, sometimes we'll pick a book that we will all enjoy and we'll read it aloud, passing it around. The last one we read was A Wrinkle in Time, and before that we read Hatchet. My 8yo really enjoyed both of those books. Doing something like this may help your son enjoy reading more since it involves the entire family.
Happy Reading!
ETA: The graphic novel suggestion is also great! My 8yo loves the Bone books. He has all of them and reads them over and over again.
