Help with Reading - Rochester,MN

I have a daughter going into 4th grade. In 1st grade, she was tested way below "grade level" for reading. The teacher told us, in front of her, that she wasn't a good reader :-/ At the end of 3rd grade she tested in the 99th percentile for reading!!

There was no magic involved. Children's brains develop at different rates. Read the book "Nurtureshock" for much more info on this. She did get Title I help at school during 1st grade and that did help. Her father and I read to her every day. I modeled reading to her, and stayed positive and encouraging, but didn't force OR bribe.

The most important thing is for you to help him enjoy books. Read to him every day, this will help his comprehension, also. Chose books above his reading level to read to him, to increase his vocabulary. I would suggest stopping the treats and rewards right now for doing something that should be, and likely will be eventually, done for enjoyment and as a reward unto itself.

We love the website starfall.com It has reading activities that are quite fun! Maybe it will encourage him.

Fiirst
You have to get over how you felt in school
He will feel those feelings also

When you are out and about, have him read simple signs
things hanging in the grocery store, road signs, billboards, etc.

Have him draw a series of pictures, and then make a book.
Give him a word, and then play a game to see how many different real words you can make from it.

Play scrabble. The more you make words fun and easy, the easier it will be for the two of you to move forward withhis reading.

Record him reading a book.
Have him read a book (record it) and send the recording to a grandparent, best friend, godparent,,,somebody.

When he sees how much fun it is to read, he may start to like reading.

When you are reading books at home, dont sit at the table and read, stretch out in a spot he likes and read.

I was fortunate to have a big bathroom.
I would read out loud as hey were in the tub, and they saw me reading.

Read things like cookbooks also.
Reading is anything, not just the cat and the hat.

Jump out of the box.
Challenge yourself for ideas, as well as give him opportunities to read.

Read the article "How not to talk to Kids" and see if that reminds you of him.
What is he interested in ? there are books about rocks, sports, science, fantasy, animals. Let him read easy books but make him discuss them with you. Dont forget to read to him, let him enjoy more complex books. Indian in the Cupboard, Misty are series you could read to him. then you could discuss the books with him. Model discussing the books by saying this part of the book reminds me of...... I think the author is telling us..... let him see how much you enjoy reading!

I would model reading in front of him. Let him see you read your own books, read aloud to him from chapter books, and take him to the library often to pick out books he is interested in.

He needs to be reading independently from books that are easy for him. You can read harder books with him (that's the instructional level) and read books that are a grade level or more above his level aloud to him.

I wish all parents were as concerned about their child's reading ability. (I was a public school teacher for 15 years until I had my daughter.)