Progress.....

MaryEllen - posted on 08/06/2010

Your local library should have a list of books by grade level.

Also, look up http://www.bookadventure.com/
They have book lists freely available. If you sign up (for free) your child can take quizzes on the books he reads.

Krys - posted on 08/06/2010

The problem with "comic' books is there are pictures hence the reason they didnt want to pass him bc he only wanted to read picture books... and said that would be bad for the 5th grade:/ idk but im glad hes reading.. and do hope he keeps it up:)

Alison - posted on 08/06/2010

I don't have school aged children, but we try to go to the library with our girls every week. I let them pick their own books. We sit at the library and read for a bit, then we head home. In my opinion, the more he is in contact with books, the better. Even comic books!

Sounds like you are doing a great job. :)

MaryEllen - posted on 08/03/2010

DO not have him read for longer than 1/2 hour at a time, but read a couple of times each day. Keep in mind that he will "flex his reading muscles" even if she's reading a book a few steps lower than his reading level.

The NIV Bible is 2nd-3rd grade, although there are a few words/concepts that 7-9yos wouldn't understand.
KJV is 9th grade reading level.

"Stuart Little" is a 4th grade book...others are
James and the Giant Peach
The Hardy Boys series
A Cricket in Times Square
Charlotte's Web (I think, could be 5th)
many of the books in the Boxcar Children series (they range from 3-5th grade level)

If you allow it, the Goosebumps series is 3rd-4th grade level -- They are like the old Twilight Zone TV show.

Carla - posted on 07/30/2010

In Bible study, we read a chapter, then go back over it, either idea or verse at a time, and this helps grown ups retain what we read. I don't know how you are breaking it down, if he reads an hour, then you ask, that might be a lot of information to process. Try the chapters, and if they are too long, go by scene or idea. The reading grade level for Narnia is 6-7, according to the web, so if your little guy is reading and comprehending, that is great! Make sure you don't overload him with too much reading before going over to recap. If you can act out the scenes when you are reviewing with him, you can make the learning fun, for you both! Don't look at it like it's a chore, look at it as joint learning, and the Chronicles are a wonderful opportunity to teach him about Jesus, as well!

God bless, honey

Elizabeth - posted on 07/30/2010

We as parents need to be careful on pushing our child too much. It sounds like you are doing a great job, just encourage him with little stuff! have him read, let him pick out a book and read it to you. The more her does this the better, but when it takes him longer to read than everyone else thanks okay too. Some people read slow and some fast. Keep up the great work hun

Rebekah - posted on 07/29/2010

Its great that you are working hard in the summer to build up his skills and confidence! Also great that he is willing to tackle the reading...some kids don't want to do this in the summer.

There are websites that give book lists for each grade level. If you google "fourth grade reading level book list" or something like that, you'll get some ideas of what is good for that grade range. One site I looked at said the Chronicles of Narnia were in the 5th and 6th grade reading level. If your son struggled with reading this past year, you probably want to steer clear of books that have vocabulary that is new/frustrating for him. Even though he's interested in the topic from having seen the movie, he won't get as much out of the book if its too far above him. Just a suggestion, but you may want to start with books that are rated in the early 4th grade level, or even the 3rd grade level just to bone up on his comprehension. Starting with vocabulary that is easier and familiar to him might help him work on the comprehension stuff better. If he does great with the easier levels, then move on to something a little higher. Did he ever get evaluated at school? I am not a teacher, but I used to work in a school (as a counselor) and teachers or reading specialists (in school) could do screens on the kids and come up with what reading level they could handle and what level would frustrate them. If he ever had a screen like that, it would be helpful to know what level books to start with for him. Just because he was in the fourth grade, doesn't automatically mean his reading level is in the fourth grade range. I know its summer, but maybe you could call the school (sometimes the principals are required to be there much of the time in the summer) and get grade level books lists, or scores, etc. Your local library, I would think, should also have information on book lists for different grades. You will also help keep him into it if you can find titles in areas that are of strong interest for him (cars, animals, whatever).

Hope this helps.