All About Grooming & Encouraging Good Reading Habits

[optimistforum]

tamarind:

Optimistforum,

The highest level of the Rigby Rocket series is only equivalent to Ladybird Peter and Jane level 4 or 5. They do not have books of a higher standard than this level.

Hi Tamarind

I hope you are well.

I would like to know how books 8a to 12b correleate with Ladybird Level 4/5, please? I.e is 8a the same as Level 1/2 ..etc. At school, he is now on Rigby Rocket Orange Level (which here is the level for the beginning of Year 2, or your P1). It then progresses to Turquoise, Purple, Gold, White and then Lime,

A quick question, please. I asked the above questions as I wanted to gauge how DS2 (dob July 2005) was doing. Since Boxing Day he's read Peter & Jane 1a, 1b through to 8b now. I expect him at this pace to have completed 12b by the Valentines Day.

It is my opinion, he may well be on course to become an independent reader - infact he already reads by himself and we do sample reading with him to validate his progress.

His teacher eulogises about his ability to understand and recapitulate what he has just read.

I need to now think of the next level of books for him. Any ideas please?

[tamarind]

optimistforum:

I would like to know how books 8a to 12b correleate with Ladybird Level 4/5, please? I.e is 8a the same as Level 1/2 ..etc. At school, he is now on Rigby Rocket Orange Level (which here is the level for the beginning of Year 2, or your P1). It then progresses to Turquoise, Purple, Gold, White and then Lime,

Hi,
I am fine

I don't quite understand your first question. When I said Ladybird level 4/5, I meant the Peter and Jane books 4a,4b,5a,5b. I refer to books 8a to 12b as levels 8 to 12. These books are far more advanced than books at level 4 and 5. Hope this clarifies your first question.

I have only seen the Turquoise and lower levels of the Rigby Rocket books, I have not seen the levels higher than Turquoise, so I cannot comment on those.

Once a child has completed books 12a and 12b of the Peter and Jane books. There is no need to read any other graded readers. He should start to read all the wonderful children's classics.

Check this page in my blog :
http://tamarindphonics.blogspot.com/2010/03/picture-books-from-my-home-library.html

I have listed many excellent books, and I have indicated the reading level of each book. For example, a book with reading level 10 means that a child who has completed Peter and Jane books 10a and 10b, should be able to read most of the words in this book.

All the books in my blog are wonderful, especially Lafcadio The Lion Who Shot Back and Three Tales of My Father's Dragon which must be read by every child.

The books in this page are for kids who are very advanced in reading :
http://tamarindphonics.blogspot.com/2010/03/importance-of-reading-books.html

[optimistforum]

Hi Tamarind


I am in need of help with DS1 and reading. He is 7 years and 7 months. When I started this post a year ago, I mentioned he was great at MCQ comprehension, but poor at O/E. He is now very good at both - scoring full marks in P3 comprehensions.

He has, however, admitted he hates reading. He reads to decode but not understand. When he comes across difficult words he uses the dictionary and tries to remember the definitions rather than understand them (in the context they were used in the story). This manifests itself in his poor speaking and writing ability. He is great at cloze only when word options are given, but would struggle if he had to come up with words. How can I enthuse him with reading? I have tried all genres to appeal to him. He just wants to watch TV or play the Wii.

DS2 on the other hand is 5 years 7 months, and just now reading Peter & Jane 11a, and reads to decode and understand - in fact he is an erudite and enthusiastic reader! Should I reign in DS1, and get him to re-start his reading with similar level books as DS2?

[tamarind]

optimistforum:

Hi Tamarind


I am in need of help with DS1 and reading. He is 7 years and 7 months. When I started this post a year ago, I mentioned he was great at MCQ comprehension, but poor at O/E. He is now very good at both - scoring full marks in P3 comprehensions.

He has, however, admitted he hates reading. He reads to decode but not understand. When he comes across difficult words he uses the dictionary and tries to remember the definitions rather than understand them (in the context they were used in the story). This manifests itself in his poor speaking and writing ability. He is great at cloze only when word options are given, but would struggle if he had to come up with words. How can I enthuse him with reading? I have tried all genres to appeal to him. He just wants to watch TV or play the Wii.

DS2 on the other hand is 5 years 7 months, and just now reading Peter & Jane 11a, and reads to decode and understand - in fact he is an erudite and enthusiastic reader! Should I reign in DS1, and get him to re-start his reading with similar level books as DS2?

Hi optimistforum,
One suggestion is to let him watch a movie, then read the book.
For example, both my kids loved to watch \"Charlie and the chocolate factory\" by Johnny Depp. They were also very enthusiastic when I asked them to read the book by Roald Dahl.

I also tried to act out the story with my kids when possible :
http://tamarindphonics.blogspot.com/2010/02/developing-love-for-reading.html

My boy especially really enjoyed it.

My boy actually prefers non-fiction books. He likes to read children's encyclopedia. You can try to find books on topics that your son is interested in. For example, if he like dinosaurs, then get him lots of books about dinosaurs.

I don't think you should let your DS1 read the same level of books at DS2. Instead, keep trying to find books that will interest him.

One suggestion is the Fog mound series :
http://www.amazon.com/Travels-Thelonious-Mound-Susan-Schade/dp/0689876858/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297572380&sr=8-1

Written in chapters that alternate between traditional prose and comic-book format, these books are good for encouraging kids to read.

I have compulsory reading time everyday. My kids can read independently since 5 years old, but now I still ask them to read out loud from a book of my choice everyday, usually 5 to 10 pages (about 200 words on each page). They are also free to read any other books they like on their own. My kids enjoy reading out loud to me, and I think this is an excellent way to develop a love for reading.

Note that I ban all computer and electronic games at home. Without such games, the most interesting thing to do is read

Check out my blog for other suggestions :
http://tamarindphonics.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-motivate-your-child-to-read.html

[DC Mummy]

Hi Tamarind


I have reading your post about teaching a preschooler to read with great interest. However, I am not a diligent mum who can prepare the phonics materials as you did. I put my DS in ICR (nearly 10 months) and also bought some ready materials from popular store to teach him in the evening.

Presently, my 4 year old DS (born Jan’07) is able to read the P&J series quite well with understanding and not much help needed so far. He had started with P&J book 2a (about 6 months ago) till now at 7a. I will also make it a daily routine for him to read aloud 2 to 3 pages every day. However, I realized that he is good and fluent in reading P&J series as those are simple, repeating and common wordings. Thus, I would like to expose him reading in some other short stories, just to increase his learning of new words through phonic decoding + sight reading. Having this thought in mind, I have been reading to him a page or a short paragraph and then ask him to repeat reading to me again. I am just wondering, if this an effective way or should it be the other way by asking DS to read to me first?

My DS loves reading books but I have to be the one reading to him instead of the other way…Whenever I ask him to read first, he will hesitate and give excuses or exchange terms with me eg you read this paragraph first, then I will read the other paragraph.

[optimistforum]

[quote]Hi optimistforum,

One suggestion is to let him watch a movie, then read the book.
For example, both my kids loved to watch \"Charlie and the chocolate factory\" by Johnny Depp. They were also very enthusiastic when I asked them to read the book by Roald Dahl.

I also tried to act out the story with my kids when possible :
http://tamarindphonics.blogspot.com/2010/02/developing-love-for-reading.html[/quote]Hi Tamarind

Thank you for the advice. DS1 said he would like to read fiction books that he enjoys. He wants to read George's Marvellous Medicine. He read it a year ago, and also watched the play. Should I bite the bullet and let him read it again in the hope that it acts as a catalyst to him becoming a keen reader - or should I tell him not to read a book he has already read.
Is it worthwhile reading the same book again?

[sleepy]

optimistforum:

Is it worthwhile reading the same book again?

Of course!

optimistforum:

How can I enthuse him with reading? I have tried all genres to appeal to him. He just wants to watch TV or play the Wii.

Remove TV and Wii

[optimistforum]

optimistforum:

How can I enthuse him with reading? I have tried all genres to appeal to him. He just wants to watch TV or play the Wii.

sleepy:

Remove TV and Wii

I am working on it!!!

[tamarind]

optimistforum:

[quote]Hi optimistforum,

One suggestion is to let him watch a movie, then read the book.
For example, both my kids loved to watch \"Charlie and the chocolate factory\" by Johnny Depp. They were also very enthusiastic when I asked them to read the book by Roald Dahl.

I also tried to act out the story with my kids when possible :
http://tamarindphonics.blogspot.com/2010/02/developing-love-for-reading.html

Hi Tamarind

Thank you for the advice. DS1 said he would like to read fiction books that he enjoys. He wants to read George's Marvellous Medicine. He read it a year ago, and also watched the play. Should I bite the bullet and let him read it again in the hope that it acts as a catalyst to him becoming a keen reader - or should I tell him not to read a book he has already read.
Is it worthwhile reading the same book again?[/quote]My girl read books like the Boxcar children more than 10 times

You should just leave books around, and let him read whenever he feels like it.

The BFG by Roald Dahl is also very good.

[tamarind]

DC Mummy:

Hi Tamarind


I have reading your post about teaching a preschooler to read with great interest. However, I am not a diligent mum who can prepare the phonics materials as you did. I put my DS in ICR (nearly 10 months) and also bought some ready materials from popular store to teach him in the evening.

Presently, my 4 year old DS (born Jan'07) is able to read the P&J series quite well with understanding and not much help needed so far. He had started with P&J book 2a (about 6 months ago) till now at 7a. I will also make it a daily routine for him to read aloud 2 to 3 pages every day. However, I realized that he is good and fluent in reading P&J series as those are simple, repeating and common wordings. Thus, I would like to expose him reading in some other short stories, just to increase his learning of new words through phonic decoding + sight reading. Having this thought in mind, I have been reading to him a page or a short paragraph and then ask him to repeat reading to me again. I am just wondering, if this an effective way or should it be the other way by asking DS to read to me first?

My DS loves reading books but I have to be the one reading to him instead of the other way.........Whenever I ask him to read first, he will hesitate and give excuses or exchange terms with me eg you read this paragraph first, then I will read the other paragraph.

Hi DC Mummy,
Since your DS is already reading Peter and Jane 7a, there is no need for you to read to him first and ask him to repeat. Just take any book, about the same level as 7a, point to every word and ask him to read out loud. Help him only when he does not know any word.

Give him lots of encouragement when he reads out loud. I used to clap and cheer loudly when my boy finished reading one page This is a good way to build up confidence. Thanks to reading out loud everyday, my boy speaks very well, no need for any speech and drama classes.