Getting My 4Th Grader to Read

I have a question, is there any possibility that he doesn't want to read because he may be dislexic? Just wondering if you've considered it. Or he may be far sighted. Just trying to maybe find some reasons he might have stopped enjoying reading. But some kids just dont enjoy reading, maybe if you set some goals and rewards for him. Find something he really wants and make it a prize. If he passes his next AR he gets a new toy or game or something he's been wanting. That would give him something to work towards. Hope I helped a little. Good luck.

Hello, I really don't have any advice, but I also have a 4th grade daughter that is not doing so well in reading either. I talked to the teacher and they gave me an idea. If she can't do it at home then we are going to make her stay after school until 5:15pm with the principal to see if that will help. She only has 2 AR goal done. So far my daughter is reading after school for a half hour because she don't want to have to stay after school. So I really don't know if that will help you, but I thought I would let you know. Have a wonderful day. G.

I actually know what AR is. I helped implement the program at my kids school. Everyone else had great ideas. Have your son check out Matt Christopher. He is a great author who writes almost exclusively about sports. Also, see what other genres your son likes. Michigan Chillers are a great series and they are right on his grade level. Many of the non-fiction sport books are also AR. Check and see if your school has the tests tho. My biggest recommendation is bribery. I understand the no sports consequence, but try some positive bait too. Find something he likes ie. toys, cards, going some place special and use it to motivate him to read a book. You can use this on any size scale. My daughter loves manicures, but hates homework and chores, but she'll clean the toilet with a toothbrush if she can get her nails done. I bribe the kids at school with an "AR Store". They can't wait to spend their points. -la

I don't know exactly what an AR goal is but I do remember being in 4th grde and having my teacher reading a chapter a day to us. We coudn't wait to see how the story ended. The book was a wrinkle in time (still remember after 30 years!)Anyway it sounds like your really busy but maybe at bedtime or a little before you can read it together, just a page or two migh tbe enough to get him interested. when he starts reading by himself, ask him whats going on in the story. just a thought

it might be he wants someone to read too. my daughter will read but only if someone will sit and listen.

you might also see about getting his eyes checked.

i also understand that as parents haveing time to do nonthing but sit and listen isnt really possable, maybe he would enjoy reading to his siblings or you could have him read to you while your cooking or sewing or some such project that is good for listening. i hope any one of thease ideas helps, have a great day.

I would suggest checking out the books on tape at your local library. Then you can allow him to listen and follow along with the written text. Accelerated Reader has a place at the beginning of a test, where he can check that someone else read the book to him. It does not penalize him in any way, but allows the computer to record the data. I've found this very effective with students that have trouble concentrating. Hopefully he will find some books that he really enjoys, and he will regain his interest in reading.

Hope this helps. Good Luck

T. - I personally would try a different approach. Instead of threatening to take something away ... reward him for his progress.

I had the same issues with my daughter (now 14 and in 8th grade). I was extremely concerned because as students, they learn to read ... and then they read to learn. If they don't master the skills of reading and comprehension, they will struggle in everything from this point forward. Our family hired a company called "The Reading Clinic" in East Lansing. They were wonderful and worked diligently with our daughter to get her back on track. It was expensive, but the combination of the Reading Clinic and summer school turned out to be a blessing for her. We gave her incentives to follow through on her reading by giving her a "star" or something similar for every milestone she reached, or for reading for an hour, etc., and she could then use those to cash in on something larger. With a little help from her savings account ... she chose to purchase a dirt bike (yes, she's a Tomboy) at the end of the summer. Her sense of accomplishment in making the purchase made her progress in reading all the better!

Good luck!

Hi T.,
Forgive me for not knowing what AR is, but I don't. I'm guessing it's similar to a DRA level that corresponds with state goals for reading levels. I have a 4th grade son as well as a 2nd grade daugther. While my daughter remains at th top of her class in all academic settings, my son is Learning Disabled and struggles in all areas. I'm wondering if your son is avoiding reading because it's difficult for him. Often times kids avoid the things that are most challenging. He may have a learning disability, be dyslexic, need glasses or something else that needs to be addressed. Does he do well in all other academic areas? Has he always struggled with reading? It's also very common for children that have difficulty with reading to find written work challenging as well. If you are certain his failing grades are due to behavioral choices and not an underlying problem (like I mentioned earlier) then I think refraining from sports is a wise decision. However, if he needs help punishing him will only make his self esteem go down and won't improve his reading anyway. If you'd like to share more with me, please send me a private message and I'll see what I can do to help. Good Luck.
M. M.

Maybe he just needs to find something that interests him to read about. Try encouraging him to read about soccer, if that's his big thing. He might enjoy the Harry Potter books, too. Or the Lemony Snicket books. I would also thing about encouraging him to read some comic books, too. They are not what you would call great literature. But, it is reading, after all. And if he gets into the habit of reading for enjoyment, hopefully he'll move on to more suitable reading material after the habit is formed.

Also, I do not think your being too harsh with the soccer thing. Playing sports and doing extra curricular activities are privledges, not rights. He needs to earn that reward by living up to his obligations.

I know this a really old post, but I wanted to share that I am able to get my 3rd grade son to read with the Kindle. I can make the font really big and he likes that, makes it seems easier. He used to run and hide! I can now download books for him from the local library (no driving) well worth the money.

maybe you could try to make it more in his interest as in what is he interested in get them kinds of books his leavel. make it fun make it a good time laughing change voices showing him how to be different charictors in the story just my suggestions i am a mother of 4 ages ranges from 11, 7, 6, and 5 i have two girls and two boys. so let me know how it goes. have a good time with it not a struggle on you or him. find a quiet time for just the both of you to do it make it a magical moment tell him its something speical for you both to look back on together when he gets older and he will learn new things to tell his children and his childrens children make it a thinking game for him. i dont know your child but i am sure he like any child loves imagination games.

HI T.,
I wasn't sure what to say so I went to my now 6th grader. He said to find thin books. That's what he did in 4th grade. He was then able to get all his AR requirements done. Now he reads like crazy. He really like books that were nonfiction and were about things he could relate to like baseball players or other sports heros. I think alot of the problem is that kids don't read all that fast in 4th grade and it seems to overwelm them when the book is really long. Maybe go it to school with him some morning and see if you can help him pick a book that he'll be able to get through. Also, my son is required, by me, to read for 30 minutes each evening before bed. It gets his reading done and helps him relax before bed. You could also read with him. Have him read a page and then you read one or just let him read out load to you. I hope this helps! Good Luck!

I would keep encouraging him. Take a special trip to the library (or book store) just the two of you and pick out a special book or books-- let him pick (within reason). Then I would set aside 30 minutes a day where you read together. Each of you could read a page (give him a reward if he catches you making a mistake to see if he is paying attention) or something similar. Being read to also helps kids learn.

I tutored at the Detroit Public Library when I was in law school and worked with a boy whose reading was below average and didn't like to read. Finally, his grandma bought his a wrestling book (The ROCK biography) and while it wasn't all appropriate reading material (we skipped certain four letter words) it did get him excited and he finished it quickly.

I would also talk to his teachers about suggestions of books. Nothing is more frustrating that trying to read something too hard.

Good luck.

Hi Tony,

I have 2 boys 13 and 15 and know how hard it is at times to motivate them to do their homework. To top it off they do have special needs. One has a very hard time with comprehansive and therefore would have a hard time when he read something to explain it. He was more a visual learner. They now will read books but it has to be of interest to them. It is hard for some people even myself to sit and read. Like the others said I would talk to him more about what else might be effecting his reading. Ask him questions, sit with him and see if he is struggling and if so let him know you can get him extra help. If need be ask for testing at the school.

When you mention AR Books what does the AR mean? Is he able to pick out books he is interested in reading? My boys are not allowed to play any game system or games on their comps during the school week. Only weekends, but only after they take care of their rooms and any homework they may have. If we didn't make these changes they would be failing school. You can tell him he won't play soccer if he fails again. But you should also have something that is more instant. Like he is not allowed to play his game system or things he enjoys until he does his reading. Only then will he be allowed to do things he enjoys. Get him into the mode now because when he starts the puberty it is much harder to control. I know how hard it is to keep all this going while running a business. I also am a childcare provider and take care of special need children.

We also set up desks and a quiet place in my boys rooms to do their homework. Also neither is allowed to have friends over during the week. Unless they start doing things as we say. Well so far that rule has been into effect for a long time.. lol. They can on Friday , Saturday and Sunday, and meet them up at the rec center at night when we go but that is it.

If you want to chat more please feel free to contact me offlist.. ____@____.com