Longer readings in RTR are a struggle

[LynnH]

We are only on week 2 so I am hoping things will improve, but right now the long History readings in Peril and Peace are causing my ds some problems. He can read them, but then he honestly doesn't remember anything of what he read except maybe the first page and the last page. I also think he may be skipping some lines as he reads. I have him using something called a See-n-read now that makes him read one line at a time. He doesn't care for it much because he says it slows him down, but I think that is because he can't skip lines. Yesterday he was reading about Basil the Great, which is a long story. Half way through he became very frustrated and said he didn't understand anything that was going on. I ended up reading out loud the pages he had already read. Once I knew he had an idea of what was going on then I had him read the last 4 pages by himself. When he did this he knew exactly what had happened. He filled out his information in his notebook on Basil fine. I really think that is what I am going to have to do with him is read the first part of a story out loud until I know he gets it, then have him finish reading it. If anyone has any other ideas I am open to them. I know others on here have kiddos with special needs. I know at 12 he should be able to read this on his own and get it, but he just doesn't.
We are looking at getting him a neuropsych evaluation because we think there are some memory issues going on and he struggles to apply knowledge sometimes, but in the meantime I want to be able to make him successful. I do worry about "babying" him too much though.

[Tansy]

I'm sure your mommy radar is working and I bet he is skipping lines, ignoring punctuation and words he doesn't know the meaning of. Which in turn leads to confusion.

I think I would skim it and explain any words I think he might have trouble with before hand. Then give him a short summary of the beginning and or whole story so he knows what is coming, instead of reading to him. Then I would let him to write down a word or 2 per paragraph or one sentence per page as notes for his reference.

another option could be.... But I don't have RTR here..
could he read a few bits then do a bit of work, read some more bits and answer more questions etc. Start with small bites so he doesn't feel rushed, gradually building up to read it once then answer questions?

I wonder could he have Visual processing issues?

[gotpeace91]

I believe they finish peril and peace in unit 3. My son is 13 and he also seemed to struggle a bit with that one.(great book though) He appears to be enjoying the next books much better. You may just want to try to get him through this book with your idea of reading some to him, or I liked Tansy's suggestions as well. Then see how he does with the next books and make a decision then. Don't let it get you down; just ease him over this one and see what happens.

(EDIT Whoops! I misunderstood and thought my son was done with Peril and Peace when actually they just took a detour for a little bit. He is back to it now in Unit 5.)

[my3sons]

Lynn - I know I have said this before, but I am truly amazed at Noah. He is a 12 yo boy with a heart of gold, and though he has special needs, he moves beyond them in so many ways that I find him to be truly inspirational.

I feel that it is very important that he not be frustrated to tears, as he is really doing such an incredible job of trying to keep up with even the writing within HOD, and having CP, that is just off the charts. I would definitely modify "Peril and Peace" by splitting the reading with him. I don't see this as babying him in the least! I think this will be key to do as Noah moves forward with HOD. Whenever you see frustration setting in, I'd step in and encourage him by partnering in the reading or the writing as needed. He just is not an apathetic boy - never has been, never will be. He is the kind of boy that gives it his all! His consistent track record with this is worth real consideration and recognition as he moves forward with HOD. He doesn't balk at much, even with his special needs. He is not a complainer, he is a get-it-done kind of boy. So, I would just go ahead and step in when needed, helping with reading, helping with writing, helping with whatever shows itself as a struggle, and I'd do so with the thought that this is helping him learn even MORE than he would have, as opposed to thinking that you helped him and now he's learned less. I know this is hard sometimes, but I think the pair of you together achieves amazing things! I want you to find joy moving forward together, and I don't want the joy to get hung up on who's reading or writing - but rather for it to just be a part of your every day together. I hope something here helps, but you know I think the world of you and Noah - keep on with what you are doing Lynn - you are a wonderful mom and teacher!

In Christ,
Julie

[LynnH]

Julie thanks for the encouragement. God spoke to my heart yesterday the same things you are saying so I know He wants me to listen. I was afraid Noah would get less from the program if I was helping him with the reading and God really impressed on me that he would get more out of it and that I needed to stop comparing him with where I think he should be. The rest of the week I did read the first few pages for him so that he had a good basis for the story and then he read the rest and did much better. I also am trying to make sure he knows it is ok to tell me "I am confused". Just having me help with the History reading has made him have a totally different attitude about everything. He is reading Gentle Ben for DITHOR and seemed to be struggling with that as well, but once I started helping with the history reading he has done fine with Gentle Ben and he is very excited about reading it. The other thing I am seeing is that he is making huge gains in his writing/composition skills right now. Something has just seemed to click. He has always been a kid that if he was making big progress in one area he would either plateau or even slide back a little in the other areas.

I am so grateful that this is a place I can take my concerns and know I will get helpful advice and encouragement.