Boosting My Son' Reading/English Skills

[Anonymous]

Former private school family who took our son out because we felt he wasn't learning how to write/read very well. Finished his first year of public middle school and took the Standards of Learning test. Did very well on the math portion, but mediocre on the reading/history.

1. Are there any recommendations of a tutor who can help a middle school child's writing skills/reading comprehension?

2. Are there materials (hard-copy and/or online) that he can use himself to get better (in conjunction with a tutor)?

Thanks. We are worried that he has some catch-up to do before high school, SATs, etc.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Have you had him evaluated for a possible LD issue, maybe dyslexia or a processing issue? You've tried the new school and are looking to prop him up, but maybe there's an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. He sounds bright and the way in which his reading and writing skills are lagging sounds like a red flag.

[Anonymous]

I remeber one summer my dd took something at AU which was very helpful. But, I don't remember the name of it or anything.

[Anonymous]

My ds is at private school ("Big 3," all boys) where middle school writing and reading comprehension instruction has been mediocre at best. Tutoring has filled in the gaps. Also, reviewing areas of weakness on standardized tests helped us locate areas to focus on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My ds is at private school ("Big 3," all boys) where middle school writing and reading comprehension instruction has been mediocre at best. Tutoring has filled in the gaps. Also, reviewing areas of weakness on standardized tests helped us locate areas to focus on.

Are you OP? I guess I have to repeat the suggestion that you get him fully evaluated for learning issues. I have known lots and lots of boys at STA and never heard that the writing and reading comprehension is mediocre at best. however, it is possible that they didn't teach in the manner he needed to learn. If there is something going on, finding out now will be more helpful than finding out later.

[Anonymous]

No, the previous poster was not the original poster; I am. We have had him tested for any learning disability issues, but they didn't come up with any. To be honest, I've always felt that while he is very diligent and bright, he has always struggled with simple things that should be intuitive to someone of his intelligence.

Are there professionals/practices that specialize in this sort of thing? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

You might ask this question on the Special Needs section. I have a DS with special needs but not this kind of learning difference. But I know there are psychologists who look at learning differences.

[Anonymous]

"No, the previous poster was not the original poster; I am. We have had him tested for any learning disability issues, but they didn't come up with any. To be honest, I've always felt that while he is very diligent and bright, he has always struggled with simple things that should be intuitive to someone of his intelligence.

Are there professionals/practices that specialize in this sort of thing? Thanks."

Who tested him? Did you have neuropsych testing? There are private groups that do this around time, but you can also look at Kennedy Krieger at Hopkins.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and I'm curious about the AU program mentioned by a PP - what age group is that for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
2. Are there materials (hard-copy and/or online) that he can use himself to get better (in conjunction with a tutor)?

I'm a reading/writing tutor but I don't live in VA so would be too far away for you.

For basic composition (writing to a prompt, 5 paragraph essay) in the upper elementary/middle school grades, I would suggest Pattern Based Writing (www.patternbasedwriting.com) You download the book from the website.

For reading -- you really need to have him evaluated by a reading specialist to see what the problem is. Many students in middle school struggle because they have difficulty decoding words of Greek/Latin origin, for instance. If that's the case you might want to try abecedarian level D (Combining Greek Forms)

http://www.abcdrp.com/samples/ABCD_WD_sample.pdf


Do you have any sense of what your son's problem in reading could be? If you ask him to read something alound -- say a newspaper -- can he read it fluently and understand what he is reading? It is possible that he just isn't skilled at taking multiple choice tests.

[Anonymous]

Try SoundReading if the challenge is word attack skills and phonics. Worked better than a tutor for my DC.

[Anonymous]

I am a reading teacher. Before you leap to standard reading resources and tutors (those may be advisable but not necessary) get him to simply read. The major problem I see more often than not is schools pushing students to read more and more above grade level, forcing them not only to no longer enjoy reading, but also to comprehend less of what they are reading. Have DC read books for fun. Let him choose them. If they are below his level, he will get bored and choose to move up on his own for more complicated story lines. Studies show that children who read more score higher on tests, even when what they are reading are comic books! Get him to love reading and his vocab, comprehension, word choice, grammar, and spelling will all improve dramatically.

[Anonymous]

Try KnowlEdge @ McLean Tutoring Services in Potomac and Silver Spring, MD. Dr. Bill Stixrud is part of this team. http://www.mcleanschool.org/knowledge/

[Anonymous]

Not joking -- get rid of the TV (and limit the computer) and have your whole family model reading for pleasure during leisure hours.