I just had my 10 year old tested (she will be in 5th grade this year) and found she has an attention problem. She has major difficulties in reading comprehension. Of course, I was recommended that she go to public school where they have teachers who "specialize" in this problem. Anyway, does anyone know of a program/curriculum that will help improve my daughter's reading comprehension? Her tests showed she can read well but doesn't understand it. I know other experienced homeschooling moms who "specialize" in this can help me, I don't need the public school!
This is the third time in about a week I've mentioned www.headsupnow.com !!! She has some colored tape to highlight books in. I guess they've done studies, and specific colors help in specific ways. Maybe just highlighting important facts will help. Also, do you do narration with her? I would work on having her repeat back everything she reads to you. Start reading aloud to her, and have her do narration. Then have her read to YOU, and she narrates. Then have her read it silently, and have her narrate to you what she read. Anyway, it's an idea!
I agree about having her do narration. I've been doing this with my daughter for 6 weeks now and I already notice big leaps in her reading comprehension.
I agree about having her narrate what she reads or you read. You can even stop after each paragraph and have her narrate. This way she doesn't forget by the time she gets to the end of whatever she is reading. This is what I do with Ems when we are reading a book that might be difficult for her to understand. Also, ask her questions as she or you read. When she reaches important points in a book, ask her if she knows what that means, what does she think the author is talking about, and so forth. This breaks up what is being read and also teaches her to study and question what she is reading as she reads it.
Can someone define "narrarate" please? Is it just telling me what you think the story means? Thanks! Edie
Reading comprehension difficulties ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS stem from having words that they are reading that they don't fully understand. The solution is easy. If they are reading and suddenly they either want to stop, start jiggling a leg or moving around, start squirming or change the subject, the problem is a word they just read that they don't have a definition for, or a wrong definition. You just find the word and help them define it. I've worked with so many kids who are diagnosed with ADHD and really, it's just misunderstood words. Once they go back and get these words defined it's all good as far as reading comprehension goes. Try it out!
The book 7 Keys to Comprehension by Susan Zimmermann might give you some tips too. Topics include sensory images, background knowledge, questioning, drawing inferences, and synthesizing. When I was teacher and tutor I recommended it to many people and heard positive responses.
You have already recieved so great advice -narration -7 keys to comprehension I would also add that you might want to get the book about the Irlen solutions-Reading by the Colors. We had our son tested-about $100 and it was a huge help. He then used color overlays while reading. You can also choose to use colored glasses.
My son struggles with a language processing disorder - his comprehension issues are *not* linked to a lack of vocabulary understanding. His issues are about how the words fit together to make concepts. We spent just over a year working very hard on comprehension. He reads and spells on a high school level - and now, finally, his comprehension is about "average" (read: c report card) for his age (also 10). It took us about 9 months before he could narrate a chapter, at least half of that before he could "narrate" even a single paragraph. Main Idea is difficult for him, even now. If this sounds like your kiddo, PM me and I'll detail what we did. It took time, but I must say that I am very proud - both of him, and of me - of our results. Between drawing, concentrating on the formation of sentences and paragraphs, and basic outlining, we finally have a grasp on things and can narrate a short chapter at a time. Kudos to you for not caving! You can do it, Mom!!
