Reading - Cleveland,OH

www.starfall.com
www.pbskids.com
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactive...
http://www.literacycenter.net/lessonview_en.php

These are all websites, that my Daughter's 1st Grade Teacher likes and recommends.

Next: your son probably is reluctant to read when you ask him to sit and read with you... because he is self-conscious. Or feeling not totally confident about reading, in front of someone, yet.

Or also use "sight words" to practice with him... per his grade level/age. You can find sight words online.
One example and which my Daughter's 1st Grade Teacher used is this:
http://www.dolchsightwords.org/
http://www.theschoolbell.com/Links/Dolch/Dolch.html

Sight words, is also used in schools, to teach reading.

Also, you can in a notebook, make your own "dictionary" of words he does know... in the notebook, by alphabetical order, use each page to list words he knows... then as time goes by he can actually see the accumulation of words he knows... and feel proud of it. And it can be used as a reference for him, as his 'own' Dictionary to use. It also teaches a child "spelling".

all the best,
Susan

Starfall.com is great. BBC has a kids section with reading games that is also fantastic and interactive and fun. My 4 year old is a good reader and loves to play the games there. Also on PBS kids website they have reading centered games that he enjoys. SuperWhy, in particular, is fun.

HTH
T.

My girls (and I) always liked the "Jump Start" cd's.

A few more thoughts...

I think it's important for him to be able to pick the book he wants to read. A trip to the library might be a good idea.

What worked well for me, was I would read the page on the left and my child would read the page on the right.

It's a good idea to read the same book over and over again. It helps build recognition.

Try just reading to him (don't have him read at all). Hopefully he can just enjoy the story, and see that reading can be fun.

www.starfall.com is WONDERFUL! Also check out the library Easy Reader section. The level 1 are easy to read, and the level 3 are for more independent readers. What I found helpful with my son was to find easy readers and picture books which were about the things he liked the most. We have checked out Readers about Star Wars and Fairly Oddparents and tornadoes. Once he has read it by choice alone, ask him to read it to you because you are just dying to know what that great book was about. :-)

I second Kari. The first thought that popped into my head when I read your post was, " read to the dog!" If you don't have a dog that will cooperate, have him read to a stuffed pet that he loves.
You can hear him read, but don't correct him, just let him read. The constant correction is one of the things that makes it undesirable for kids to read to someone, no matter how gently it's done.

My girls like the Tag Reader by Leapfrog.

I got a BINGO game in the Target dollar section that my 1st grader who doesn't like to read likes to play.

Read to him, co-read with him, let him act out parts of the story (you can also act it out), let him look at the book. Have him re-tell you the story. These things will help.

I read to my kids. I always let them pick a book then I picked a book.
ALso I take them to the library every week, about. I let them get whatever they want, even if it is way beneath them. I had watched content when my daughter was little, she is an advanced reader.
I have them read recipes to me.
I read street signs out loud and the backs of trucks, license plates, .
We play the ABC game all the time in the car.
We have tons of those word find books for in the car.
We make pancakes and make letters so they can eat a word, CAT, PHILIP, YUM
I read to them from teh paper or internet, "You're never going ot believe this look what is says here!!" Then I read it.
Good luick to you. Model readign and make readign and letters fun. THey will get the hang of it. Then in 4th grade they won't want to put down Harry POtter. lol

www.scholastic.com

There are these awesome, pretty cartoon books that I purchased about 6 months ago at Borders. I found them in the learning to read spinning book rack. One of the books that I purchased for my children was a twisted fairy tale cartoon book and another one was about a haunted house. My kids love them because they're pretty crazy and the cartoons make it pretty lively reading. Depending upon how old your son is and what his reading ability is, you may want to give it a try.

I am the library/media specialist and do both books and technology with my students. My website has tons of educational links. I would recommend looking at the reading section as there are a few sites on there with picture books. I'd recommend getting a hard copy of some of the books that he can look at while reading along with the story. Also, audio books at the library to go along with the actual book. My site is www.rocketlaunchers.org - click the Launchpad. Try the sections called Phonics, Language Arts, and Sparkle Hearts.

I am a teacher and a favorite website of mine is www.starfall.com. It is leveled and your son can use it independently after a little practice. I agree not to force it. You can also google his grade level/age and reading games and find some good ones. My daughter plays on pbskids.org often, as well. Good luck!

I don't have a website but my son does much better if it's us reading together. I don't if you have tried taking turns. I read a page or two and then he does the same amount. When he gets restless I just sit in silence after telling him he can do whatever it is he wants afer we finish our 30 mintues of reading and the time will restart when we start reading again.
It works. After awhile he gets into the routine and once he's into the book he really want to read more! Hang in there!

check into your library. Ours has a program where they bring in a reading dog, kids get an alloted amount of time to read to this sweet service dog, with no judgment or correction. It does wonders for their confidence levels and they seem to really enjoy it.

I'd also suggest starfall, which was mentioned, we used it a lot when my kids were first starting out.