Reading Advice for upcoming 3rd grader?

1shortmomof4 · Post by **1shortmomof4** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:08 am

My ds who is 8 (working through Beyond) has really struggled in the reading department. Finally figured out that he learns best for this through listening and HOP has been a miracle for him (my last choice but who knew?). So as I plan the budget for next year's curriculum to submit to the Principal (sweet dh) I'm trying to figure out what to do for this little guy. We plan on working through HOP and should finish all 5 levels by the end of the summer (if I stop to take a break with him we'll have major brain drain!). What do you suggest I do with him for reading next year. I don't believe he'll be reading independently and we are actually working through the emergent reader things right now and he is doing quite well but I don't see him ready for the next level. Any thoughts? Ideas? I'm not worried about him reading things that are connected to the history portion but rather continuing to reenforce the positives in reading and keeping him challenged but not drowning KWIM? This has been a long road for him but he's finally figuring it out and enjoying so I want to keep that love alive. Ideas? I had thought about BJUP 2 reader (I've used the 3rd grade before with another child and I know he is not there and won't be there) just to reenforce and keep him going but just not sure. Okay, again, after more ramblings, ideas? suggestions?
Heidi

shera · Post by **shera** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:36 am

The first thought that came to my mind was re-reading the emergent readers. He may find those more enjoyable the second time around. The other thought I had was you could get the Sonlight readers. I was thinking of the Sonlight readers 2. They have some of the same books as the Emergent Readers but different ones as well. For ex. they use all 3 Frog and Toak books, Amelia Bedelia but also The Sword in the Tree.

HTH
Sarah

Post by **Carrie** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:22 am

Heidi,

If he's auditory, you may want to check out HOP's next level. I believe it is computer-based, and I'm not sure if they have books to go with it. But, it does have the audio component. I believe it is called Master Reader. My older sister considered it for one of her kiddos.

Otherwise, you could always check-in to books on tape for summer. I always get the book along with the audio and make my kiddos read along silently WITH the tape to keep that ever-increasing vocabulary and word pronunciation going (as they see and hear the words).

Grandma reads the books on tape for us for each year. She does it as her gift to them. I give her the books and tapes/CD's and the schedule, and she does the reading. That is one way we can cover ALL of the read-alouds in our guides without me having to read them all out loud (from classic to boy to girl interest). I read one each genre, she reads one each genre, and my kiddos independently read one each genre.

Blessings,
Carrie

inHistiming · Post by **inHistiming** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:34 pm

Another suggestion is to use the supplemental reader that is suggested for each unit with the emerging reader's schedule. We have used some of those when the library did not have the right book. You would just have to make up your own questions to ask, but that shouldn't be too hard. We did A Chair for My Mother this past week because our library did not have Wagon Wheels. It worked out fine; dd really enjoyed it!

1shortmomof4 · Post by **1shortmomof4** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:42 pm

I checked and our library has all but 1 or 2 books from the readers sections from the SL catalog and the Beyond recommendations (although I'm working through those along with whatever else I think he might enjoy when I peruse the shelves) so I think I'll just keep chugging along and use what is working. I have him read aloud from a reader first and then we do a HOP lesson and next week I'm adding in ETC because he does enjoy those workbooks. Boy, teaching a child to read has to be one of the most challenging things I've ever done in my 14 years of parenting thus far. And I've got one more child to go! Ack!!!!
Heidi