You know what else makes a huge difference? Parent involvement and parent volunteers! For the first time in my 3 children's schooling, I'm in a position to volunteer at the school. I go in 3 days a week for 1 - 1.5 hours right before kids' lunch (so during my lunch hour-ish) and help 4-5 kids in 15-20 minute segments. I don't begin to take all the credit, but I can tell this extra one-on-one time they are getting weekly (along with everything their own parents and wonderful teacher are doing) has helped tremendously. I encourage any parent who has time, to volunteer a little at the school, because you can really make a difference!! Another side effect is it gives me a gauge of where my own son's strengths and weaknesses lie, both academically and socially. The little girl I worked with this morning could tell a story like an adult - she has great communication skills, she just has a little more trouble slowing down and actually reading the word as written. My son can't tell a story to save his life - he's jumping around from middle to beginning to end to beginning, even though he can read almost anything (reasonable) put in front of him. To answer OP's question, it really is over the charts at K. I'm working with kids who are still trying to recognize letters all the way to some who are reading at the highest level readers available in their classroom. |
My kid is reading Judy Blume which has a DRA of 40. |
In kindergarten? |
Thank you for this recommendation! Each of the 8 set-1 books are available for Kindle for $.99. I don't know if it's the novelty of Kindle or that the books are that much better, but my son is voraciously reading Ms. Rhonda's books whereas he felt the BOB books to be a chore.
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I agree. Early reading means almost nothing. Other kids will catch up when their brians are ready. Personally I oppose teaching reading in K. Its a waste of time. Kids should be learning other things that grow their brain power. |
yes |
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Take heart everyone, if your Kindergartener is not reading yet there is hope.
My DC is now a first grader, but starting K DC could barely read and didn't have the patience for it. The first half of the K year was miserable for us, as we tried everything. But something just clicked starting in January and DC finished the year at level 15, which is right about where first graders should be at the end of first grade. So don't worry, it will happen for you too. I promise. |