Raising third grader can’t identify vowels and consonants

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I have yet to hear that your son actually has any problems reading?

Agree. Do not see an issue if he is reading well.

-- Teacher

How do we know he's reading well?

Grades at school mean little. Lots of kids with very concerning skills get good report cards.

-Another teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are only 5 vowels (plus sometimes y). Memorize the 5 vowels. There must always be 1 vowel in each word. So cAt and the A is the vowel. In shY - the Y acts like a vowel. But it really doesn't matter that much whether you know your vowels and consonants if you are reading and spelling well.

Definitely do not turn to an App - studies are showing how these don't have the effects you think they will.

I'm curious what research you're referring to about what kind of apps. The AAR app a PP recommended is called Phonogram Sounds, and it's not a game or lesson or anything. It just has all the letters (vowels are red) and when you click them it tells you the sounds. It also has groups for blends, etc.

I'm a native English speaker but don't pronounce everything perfectly, so I'm not the best to help my kids who had some issues. The app was helpful for my child and even for me. The app sounds just great for this family. I also use their curriculum, with which you can use another another app. I don't use it because you can choose to use physical magnets on a white board instead, so I can't speak to that one.

I agree with the other poster(s) who mentioned spelling. Spelling issues can reveal deeper misunderstandings of the English language, especially when "reading" has really been memorization.

If he is “reading well” in 3rd grade, he is well beyond memorizing worlds.

He's only finished 2nd grade, but either way, I vehemently disagree with this. "Reading well" as judged by teachers often includes memorizing/predicting. Many, many kids can fake it for quit a while, certainly through second grade. My kid definitely did.

Op here. I’m going to sign him up for an out school class and leave it at that. We get books in the mail every month at his grade level and he always does well reading them. We have tons of books at our house. He’s reading his kindle now. He doesn’t read out loud. I don’t want to look for problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are only 5 vowels (plus sometimes y). Memorize the 5 vowels. There must always be 1 vowel in each word. So cAt and the A is the vowel. In shY - the Y acts like a vowel. But it really doesn't matter that much whether you know your vowels and consonants if you are reading and spelling well.

Definitely do not turn to an App - studies are showing how these don't have the effects you think they will.

I'm curious what research you're referring to about what kind of apps. The AAR app a PP recommended is called Phonogram Sounds, and it's not a game or lesson or anything. It just has all the letters (vowels are red) and when you click them it tells you the sounds. It also has groups for blends, etc.

I'm a native English speaker but don't pronounce everything perfectly, so I'm not the best to help my kids who had some issues. The app was helpful for my child and even for me. The app sounds just great for this family. I also use their curriculum, with which you can use another another app. I don't use it because you can choose to use physical magnets on a white board instead, so I can't speak to that one.

I agree with the other poster(s) who mentioned spelling. Spelling issues can reveal deeper misunderstandings of the English language, especially when "reading" has really been memorization.

If he is “reading well” in 3rd grade, he is well beyond memorizing worlds.

He's only finished 2nd grade, but either way, I vehemently disagree with this. "Reading well" as judged by teachers often includes memorizing/predicting. Many, many kids can fake it for quit a while, certainly through second grade. My kid definitely did.

Op here. I’m going to sign him up for an out school class and leave it at that. We get books in the mail every month at his grade level and he always does well reading them. We have tons of books at our house. He’s reading his kindle now. He doesn’t read out loud. I don’t want to look for problems.

"He doesn't read out loud" is its own problem, honestly. Much, much better to find problems, if any, now than later.

[Anonymous]

Vowels can be sung louder/quieter with mouth wide open. Consonants cannot

I really like logic of english

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are only 5 vowels (plus sometimes y). Memorize the 5 vowels. There must always be 1 vowel in each word. So cAt and the A is the vowel. In shY - the Y acts like a vowel. But it really doesn't matter that much whether you know your vowels and consonants if you are reading and spelling well.


If I ask he will read out loud but it’s not his go to. Using fingers to count and reading out loud usually indicates help is needed.
Definitely do not turn to an App - studies are showing how these don't have the effects you think they will.

I'm curious what research you're referring to about what kind of apps. The AAR app a PP recommended is called Phonogram Sounds, and it's not a game or lesson or anything. It just has all the letters (vowels are red) and when you click them it tells you the sounds. It also has groups for blends, etc.

I'm a native English speaker but don't pronounce everything perfectly, so I'm not the best to help my kids who had some issues. The app was helpful for my child and even for me. The app sounds just great for this family. I also use their curriculum, with which you can use another another app. I don't use it because you can choose to use physical magnets on a white board instead, so I can't speak to that one.

I agree with the other poster(s) who mentioned spelling. Spelling issues can reveal deeper misunderstandings of the English language, especially when "reading" has really been memorization.

If he is “reading well” in 3rd grade, he is well beyond memorizing worlds.

He's only finished 2nd grade, but either way, I vehemently disagree with this. "Reading well" as judged by teachers often includes memorizing/predicting. Many, many kids can fake it for quit a while, certainly through second grade. My kid definitely did.

Op here. I’m going to sign him up for an out school class and leave it at that. We get books in the mail every month at his grade level and he always does well reading them. We have tons of books at our house. He’s reading his kindle now. He doesn’t read out loud. I don’t want to look for problems.

"He doesn't read out loud" is its own problem, honestly. Much, much better to find problems, if any, now than later.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like he's doing fine. If you are concerned about the vowels/consonants just have him say out loud A E I O U and sometimes Y, you say it too, repetition will enable memorization, say it over and over and you will both have it. Obviously any letter other than those are consonants.

Saying it out loud over and over again is also a great way to memorize the times tables just in case you want to get a head start on those, assuming he already knows addition and subtraction basic facts. It is impossible to practice these too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are only 5 vowels (plus sometimes y). Memorize the 5 vowels. There must always be 1 vowel in each word. So cAt and the A is the vowel. In shY - the Y acts like a vowel. But it really doesn't matter that much whether you know your vowels and consonants if you are reading and spelling well.


If I ask he will read out loud but it’s not his go to. Using fingers to count and reading out loud usually indicates help is needed.
Definitely do not turn to an App - studies are showing how these don't have the effects you think they will.

I'm curious what research you're referring to about what kind of apps. The AAR app a PP recommended is called Phonogram Sounds, and it's not a game or lesson or anything. It just has all the letters (vowels are red) and when you click them it tells you the sounds. It also has groups for blends, etc.

I'm a native English speaker but don't pronounce everything perfectly, so I'm not the best to help my kids who had some issues. The app was helpful for my child and even for me. The app sounds just great for this family. I also use their curriculum, with which you can use another another app. I don't use it because you can choose to use physical magnets on a white board instead, so I can't speak to that one.

I agree with the other poster(s) who mentioned spelling. Spelling issues can reveal deeper misunderstandings of the English language, especially when "reading" has really been memorization.

If he is “reading well” in 3rd grade, he is well beyond memorizing worlds.

He's only finished 2nd grade, but either way, I vehemently disagree with this. "Reading well" as judged by teachers often includes memorizing/predicting. Many, many kids can fake it for quit a while, certainly through second grade. My kid definitely did.

Op here. I’m going to sign him up for an out school class and leave it at that. We get books in the mail every month at his grade level and he always does well reading them. We have tons of books at our house. He’s reading his kindle now. He doesn’t read out loud. I don’t want to look for problems.

"He doesn't read out loud" is its own problem, honestly. Much, much better to find problems, if any, now than later.

Reading out loud isn’t his go to and either is counting with his fingers. Both indicate help is needed. In college as a math TA there were still Americans using fingers to count because no teachers bothered to teach them a different way. My son will read out loud if I ask him so I will try to have him do that more so I can help with pronunciation. I don’t think it indicates a problem. That was melodramatic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are only 5 vowels (plus sometimes y). Memorize the 5 vowels. There must always be 1 vowel in each word. So cAt and the A is the vowel. In shY - the Y acts like a vowel. But it really doesn't matter that much whether you know your vowels and consonants if you are reading and spelling well.


If I ask he will read out loud but it’s not his go to. Using fingers to count and reading out loud usually indicates help is needed.
Definitely do not turn to an App - studies are showing how these don't have the effects you think they will.

I'm curious what research you're referring to about what kind of apps. The AAR app a PP recommended is called Phonogram Sounds, and it's not a game or lesson or anything. It just has all the letters (vowels are red) and when you click them it tells you the sounds. It also has groups for blends, etc.

I'm a native English speaker but don't pronounce everything perfectly, so I'm not the best to help my kids who had some issues. The app was helpful for my child and even for me. The app sounds just great for this family. I also use their curriculum, with which you can use another another app. I don't use it because you can choose to use physical magnets on a white board instead, so I can't speak to that one.

I agree with the other poster(s) who mentioned spelling. Spelling issues can reveal deeper misunderstandings of the English language, especially when "reading" has really been memorization.

If he is “reading well” in 3rd grade, he is well beyond memorizing worlds.

He's only finished 2nd grade, but either way, I vehemently disagree with this. "Reading well" as judged by teachers often includes memorizing/predicting. Many, many kids can fake it for quit a while, certainly through second grade. My kid definitely did.

Op here. I’m going to sign him up for an out school class and leave it at that. We get books in the mail every month at his grade level and he always does well reading them. We have tons of books at our house. He’s reading his kindle now. He doesn’t read out loud. I don’t want to look for problems.

"He doesn't read out loud" is its own problem, honestly. Much, much better to find problems, if any, now than later.

Reading out loud isn’t his go to and either is counting with his fingers. Both indicate help is needed. In college as a math TA there were still Americans using fingers to count because no teachers bothered to teach them a different way. My son will read out loud if I ask him so I will try to have him do that more so I can help with pronunciation. I don’t think it indicates a problem. That was melodramatic.

I did read some refusal to read out loud into your statement, which it sounds like isn't true. However, if he isn't reading out loud very much, then I'm not sure how anyone knows how well he reads. If he ever says "horse" when the book says "pony" or says other guesses that may come from pictures that would be a red flag that he's not sounding out words.

Pictures and context clues and understanding the structure of stories from having been read to a lot are some things that help kids fake it. Second grade books still have a lot of pictures.

He may or may not have an issue, but if he does, earlier intervention is way better than trying to fix it later.

[Anonymous]

You need to get your child evaluated ASAP. And then yes, a private tutor that is Orton-Gillingham or Wilson trained to meet with him at least twice a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to get your child evaluated ASAP. And then yes, a private tutor that is Orton-Gillingham or Wilson trained to meet with him at least twice a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are only 5 vowels (plus sometimes y). Memorize the 5 vowels. There must always be 1 vowel in each word. So cAt and the A is the vowel. In shY - the Y acts like a vowel. But it really doesn't matter that much whether you know your vowels and consonants if you are reading and spelling well.


If I ask he will read out loud but it’s not his go to. Using fingers to count and reading out loud usually indicates help is needed.
Definitely do not turn to an App - studies are showing how these don't have the effects you think they will.

I'm curious what research you're referring to about what kind of apps. The AAR app a PP recommended is called Phonogram Sounds, and it's not a game or lesson or anything. It just has all the letters (vowels are red) and when you click them it tells you the sounds. It also has groups for blends, etc.

I'm a native English speaker but don't pronounce everything perfectly, so I'm not the best to help my kids who had some issues. The app was helpful for my child and even for me. The app sounds just great for this family. I also use their curriculum, with which you can use another another app. I don't use it because you can choose to use physical magnets on a white board instead, so I can't speak to that one.

I agree with the other poster(s) who mentioned spelling. Spelling issues can reveal deeper misunderstandings of the English language, especially when "reading" has really been memorization.

If he is “reading well” in 3rd grade, he is well beyond memorizing worlds.

He's only finished 2nd grade, but either way, I vehemently disagree with this. "Reading well" as judged by teachers often includes memorizing/predicting. Many, many kids can fake it for quit a while, certainly through second grade. My kid definitely did.

Op here. I’m going to sign him up for an out school class and leave it at that. We get books in the mail every month at his grade level and he always does well reading them. We have tons of books at our house. He’s reading his kindle now. He doesn’t read out loud. I don’t want to look for problems.

"He doesn't read out loud" is its own problem, honestly. Much, much better to find problems, if any, now than later.

Reading out loud isn’t his go to and either is counting with his fingers. Both indicate help is needed. In college as a math TA there were still Americans using fingers to count because no teachers bothered to teach them a different way. My son will read out loud if I ask him so I will try to have him do that more so I can help with pronunciation. I don’t think it indicates a problem. That was melodramatic.

I did read some refusal to read out loud into your statement, which it sounds like isn't true. However, if he isn't reading out loud very much, then I'm not sure how anyone knows how well he reads. If he ever says "horse" when the book says "pony" or says other guesses that may come from pictures that would be a red flag that he's not sounding out words.

Pictures and context clues and understanding the structure of stories from having been read to a lot are some things that help kids fake it. Second grade books still have a lot of pictures.

He may or may not have an issue, but if he does, earlier intervention is way better than trying to fix it later.

A lot of reading tutors will ask if a child reads out loud and the same is true for a math tutor asking if the child uses fingers to count. I don’t think you can read into this little thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello I bought a reading program for him to use this summer and the booklet asks a lot of questions to identify sounds and deceiver between vowels and consonants. I am horrible with this as I am dyslexic and English in a second language . Dh isn’t much help either. Our son has good grades in English and reads well. Should I be worried? Should I get a tutor to teach these concepts? We did games on IXL website and he seems to do well on those but it seems easier than the workbook we are going through.

Are you a private DC area progressive school with no worksheets or homework in lower school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I have yet to hear that your son actually has any problems reading?

Agree. Do not see an issue if he is reading well.

-- Teacher

How do we know he's reading well?

Grades at school mean little. Lots of kids with very concerning skills get good report cards.

-Another teacher

DP here. We are required to put the reading level for each child in their report card and state if its at, below, or above the benchmark for that quarter/year. Also, OP's kid should be reading aloud to her - it's shocking that she says he doesn't read aloud. I hope he CAN, but she needs to encourage it.

[Anonymous]

You need a fluent English speaker to evaluate how well he can read a new text out loud.

It can be an adult or high school friend or neighbor.

You can't judge it yourself.

Is your kid learning your heritage language also? Can he read in that language?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I have yet to hear that your son actually has any problems reading?

Agree. Do not see an issue if he is reading well.

-- Teacher

How do we know he's reading well?

Grades at school mean little. Lots of kids with very concerning skills get good report cards.

-Another teacher

DP here. We are required to put the reading level for each child in their report card and state if its at, below, or above the benchmark for that quarter/year. Also, OP's kid should be reading aloud to her - it's shocking that she says he doesn't read aloud. I hope he CAN, but she needs to encourage it.

Op you’re so dramatic. He reads by himself quietly. He will read out loud if I ask him and I am sitting next to him. I know my kid well enough to know he’s reading well. We have a ton of books and receive 5 new books in the mail at his reading level and he does well with those books every month. I also have trust in his school teachers who tell me he’s reading well.