by 22 people |
Have you been seeing the scary statistics? Nearly 1/3 of US students don't graduate from high school. Of the graduates, another third cannot read and write adequately to keep up with the demands of college and adult life. We've GOT to change the way we teach! Let's get loud and show the schools and government that we demand some change. Won't you join me? Add your voice to protect every citizen's right to be functionally literate. Get involved at the local level by attending school board meetings, parent teacher conferences, and voting regularly for leaders who take a reasonable stand on education. Check out your local literacy or mentoring group and volunteer. You CAN make a difference!
Do you have a question about reading education? Please drop me a note! I specialize in helping teachers and parents long-distance, and I'll be happy to do a bit of quick free consulting.
(photo from stock.xchng.com)
Reading Incentive for Young Children
Try this at home!
Little kids (and many older ones!) love to see tangible evidence of their progress towards a goal. Try this at home: Cut out a large number of circles from construction paper, and make one larger circle. Add some eyes and other facial features to the big circle, and you've made a caterpillar's head. Now, each time your child reads a book (or you share one together), add another circle to make your caterpillar grow. If you read a lot, you can stretch your beastie clear around the room! Some children respond well to a reward when the caterpillar reaches a certain length: when our 'pillar has twenty segments, we'll go to the mall for lunch!
Give it a try-kids literally eat it up.
Give it a try-kids literally eat it up.
Today's Literature Picks
Tempt your reader with some great books!
Sometimes finding the right books for your reader can really help with motivation and learning. Watch this section for some of my favorites to use with readers of different ages.
- Junior Classics from Scholastic: These paraphrased versions of tales such as Gulliver's Travels and Dr. Doolittle are super ideas for older students who want to read more challenging material. With reading levels between grades three and five, they are suitable for older students because of their content. Check out the review and links at Tempting Struggling Readers.
- Want to build reading comprehension? Drop by your library or bookstore and pick up any of a large selection of quick mysteries. There are a number of series of these little gems. One of my favorites is "Classic Whodunits" from Main Street Publishing. The little stories are easy to read and they give all the clues necessary to solve the mystery. Great for helping kids learn to get meaning from print!
- Got a young reader that you need to motivate? Check out the Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Parks! Many older students will enjoy following the antics of this precocious kindergartener as she grows into school and childhood. The books are written at a second grade reading level in the format of beginning chapter books, but they are so engaging and funny that many older struggling students enjoy them.
Check Reading Levels the Easy Way
A new article to help you help your struggling reader
Ever want to find out just how well your child is reading? Check out the latest article on All Info About Reading: Check Your Child's Reading Level.
Who Is Sandy Fleming?
I am a special education teacher and private tutor working in SW Michigan. I have my Master's Degree in Special Ed and have been working with struggling readers for over 20 years now. I've designed many exercises and methods to improve students' reading even over the internet. Drop me a note!
Another Fun Reading Motivation Idea
Create a game board on the inside of a file folder. You know, similar to board games that have a path with a start and finish line. Decorate the board with a theme that your child will enjoy, and add some penalty and bonus spaces, and maybe a shortcut or two. Now, each time your child reads a book (or does a book report, or whatever other criteria you want to use), allow him or her to move a space (or two or three, or throw a dice) on the game board. Plan a special treat or reward at the end of the game!
My Favorite Reading Resources at Amazon
Check out these popular picks to help with reading skills...
Let the experts help! There are tons of great resources for teaching reading and you can find many of them right here at Amazon. Check these out:
There was an error connecting to the Amazon web service. Please try again. Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.
Tell Me a Bit About Yourself
Help me fine-tune this site to meet your needs.
Please take a moment to give me some information about yourself. Don't worry; everything is anonymous and private. This information will only be used to help me get a better feel for who is using the site. With this information in hand, I can focus on the best the web has to offer to meet your needs!
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Set a Reading Example
Most struggling readers need to see reading in action....
Help the struggling reader in your life to see that reading is important and vital by your example. Let your student or child see you reading each and every day.
- Read out loud to your student or child, no matter what age. By demonstrating and modeling fluent reading, you will be setting a great example.
- Do silent reading or "homework" together. When your student needs to read for a school assignment, find something you can do in the same room that has you reading, too. Some ideas include enjoying a novel, purusing a magazine, or working on a written project.
- Make a show of using written instructions, recipes, and so forth, even if you don't really need them. Look up information in reference books, and interact with print on a regular basis.
- Talk about the value of literacy regularly. Point out places in adult life where reading makes a difference. Discuss how you read on your job. Let your student or child know that reading opens career doors.
Check Out the Latest Articles
All Info About Reading
Here are some of the newest and most popular articles on my website, All Info About Reading. I hope you'll take a moment to visit!
- Helping Adults
- Got a friend or loved one you want to help? Here are ways to get started.
- Reading To Busy Kids
- What can you do when they just won't sit still for storytime? Plenty! Here are suggestions to help you share books even with those kids who only get still when they're asleep.
- 20 Tips to Teach Sight Words
- Grab some great games to help your beginning reader have fun while learning.
- Fry Instant Words
- It's hard to believe, but there are really only a handful of words that make up nearly 60% of everyday reading material. Find out more about the Fry 1000 Instant Words and prepare to encourage readers of all ages.
- Check Reading Levels
- Now you can monitor your child's or student's reading levels with ease. Learn how the teachers do it and get a few tips to do this yourself!
- Free Reading Printables
- Looking for freebies? Check out the growing collection of free reading resources at All Info About Reading!
Free Newsletter!
Keep up with new offers from All Info About Reading and the Learning Nook. Sign up for the newsletter today! Click to join learningnooknews
Check Out My Swiki!!
A quick and easy way to find eduction informaiton
This has been wildly popular! Now you can visit a search engine just for reading!! Many seem to like it because it gives such targeted results. Check out the Reading Education swicki at eurekster.com.
Please Leave Me a Note!
I LOVE making new friends
Don't forget to drop me a line!
submit
-
Reply
- emmanuel emmanuel Oct 3, 2009 @ 6:09 am
- i started running a Reading Remedial class in Febuary 2009 with four kids. It has been awesome! well, its actually a business that i want to grow, and i need help and someone who can offer me advice and support. I am from Nigeria, Africa.My email is quickstartreading@yahoo.com
-
Reply
- tutor1235 tutor1235 Sep 1, 2008 @ 6:32 am
- Cecelia, I can't reach you without an email address. You can email me privately (address is in my profile) or leave it here on the site. You can also go to my website, http://www.allinfoaboutreading.com, for info on how to help adults with literacy. Good luck!
-
Reply
- Cecelia Cecelia Aug 31, 2008 @ 8:21 pm
- I need to teach a friend literacy. Need help in doing that
-
Reply
- Teddi14 Teddi14 Jul 18, 2008 @ 11:16 pm
- I read that you live in SW Michigan...So do I-small world. I am a 7th & 8th grade special education teacher in South Bend. I teach language arts & social studies. You can read about me at my lensography Nice lens!!
-
Reply
- S S Oct 18, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
- Nice job!
- Load More
Starting a Local Literacy Group
The ongoing saga of making my dream come true
February 11, 2009
Still playing catch up with all of the tasks that need done to grow this program. Right now, I need to find some tutors...we have three students waiting!!
Still playing catch up with all of the tasks that need done to grow this program. Right now, I need to find some tutors...we have three students waiting!!
Ready for More?
Here's an option!
by tutor1235
Sandy is an experienced tutor and special education teacher. Visit the site at All Info About Reading! (more)
Explore related pages
Overcome Dyslexia- Having trouble reading? You're far from alone. The U.S. Department of Health and...
