I was introduced to the reading reflex program on this site. I am sure someone can help me???? I am currently working on the advanced code with a 7th grader. He is virtually a non-reader. Very challenging. My area of concern is that once we go over a sound picture such as (ck), he seems to know it. I ask a few minutes later and he has no idea how to make the sound for (ck). Right now we are working on the (o-e) sound. He will go through most of the words fine, but in the middle forget the sound for (toast). I am a second year spec. ed. teacher and I was wondering what to do. What is going on? Thanks. Rebecca Faye
Re: reading reflex
Also, you may want to join the ReadNOW list at http://www.groups.yahoo.com. There are many experienced PG tutors there, and a recent thread has been about introducing a kinesthetic element (signing) for kids who otherwise seem unable to remember the sound pictures. You can check the archived messages to find the thread.
Mary
Re: reading reflex
I would agree to your statement. It takes him a long time to say words like, flat. He sounds it out slowly and then when he goes to say it again quickly it is like he forgot how to do it. It is driving me crazy, and him too!!!! I just want to make sure I am doing everything right. Thank you Sue and MaryMN for the advice.
Fluency
That sounds like a “word level fluency” problem — he knows what the sounds are, but can’t hold ‘em in his working memory long enough… Phyllis Fischer has a good article on this called “Getting up to Speed” — it’s at http://www.resourceroom.net/Sharestrats/IDAdrillarticle.asp
You coudl try some of the activities she recommends. If that’s not enough for ya, try http://www.resourceroom.net/sharestrats/2002automaticity.asp for “The importance of automaticity and fluency for reading comprehension” from the IDA Perspectives I got last week/
I suspect that what’s going on is that the connection in his brain between sound and letters is very tenuous. I would bring in some kinesthetic elements… http://www.resourceroom.net/Sharestrats/sightwords.htm has some ideas.