reading at 2nd gr. level in 6th grade

Try using multi-sensory decoding with whatever curriculum you have. Teach the students “to do” whichever words they are having problems with. Multi-sensory decoding can be done with any text, any level. Go to http://www.1stbooks.com/ and read about THE SOUNDS OF WORDS. Contact me at amlandoll.yahoo.com/ if you need any more info. anla

stubs,

Many of us around here who teach special ed. use a method called Phono-Graphix (PG), which can be found in the book “Reading Reflex” by Carmen and Geoffrey McGuinness. It’s only about $12 at Amazon. I was a teacher like you who did not have a clue how to remediate reading disorders. I took the PG training (which is optional) and beagn using PG. It is not perfect, but I did not know of another program that you can just pick up and use with only a small amount of time and money invested. It is helpful to have a copy of the Support Manual (for advanced code) to help you plan your lessons and make up worksheets. You can get these off the web-site www.readamerica.net.

Good luck!
Janis

Hi stubs,

This isn’t a curriculum intervention, but I’ve found that kids reading that far below grade level are almost always suffering from undiagnosed vision problems involving what developmental optometry call the visual efficiency skills.

I’ve seen enough of this that I’m now convinced that EVERY child who has failed to learn to read should see a developmental optometrist to at least rule out vision issues as the source of the reading problem.

I’m basing this on first-hand observation….it’s a huge issue and it’s generally unnoticed by reading teachers and unacknowledged by reading researchers….Rod

Hi Rod,
I am working with 2 16 yr old boys that are at 1-2 gr reading level. I’ve been using RR with them and are making progress.

My question is: One of the boys definetly has vision problems. He holds his head to one side and closes one eye. Also his eyes seem to “vibrate” at times. His family is not financially able to see a Dev. Opt and the closest is 2 hours away. Is there some things I could do with them? Like a home therapy program?

Thanks,
Diane

Hi Diane,

I’m sorry, but I can’t recommend anything other than that you somehow get the kids referred (both of them, incidentally) to a developmental optometrist.

In the meantime, a good phonics program like Reading Reflex will help them make sense of print, and who knows, maybe one or both of them will one day have their vision issues resolve on their own. At that time, the phonics info will make more sense to them and they may begin to get the full benefit from the training that you’re giving them now.

I will reiterate my original point….MOST of the kids like the two you are working with have underlying vision issues that MUST be addressed (or must resolve on their own) before these kids will ever read comfortably and for pleasure.

I’m confident, given the overwhelming evidence I see supporting my position, that eventually this will all be realized and addressed by educators, researchers, optometrists, parents, legislators and maybe even insurance companies but until that day comes kids like yours will continue to suffer from our ignorance…..Rod

couldn’t agree more on getting that child (or children, if you can) to a developmental optometrist. This is not a DIY thing, this is a medical condition. The behaviors you are describing are classic and are often treatable.

I thought vision therapy was snake oil when I first came across it. Now I’m just mad that kids are getting it because it is impossible to learn to read with being able to track a line of text. There needs to be wholesale screening of our kids.

Fight the good fight

It’s always best to get an evaluation by a developmental optometrist.

When this is not possible, I’ve heard that the book “Eyes On Track” has very useful exercises. Website is http://www.eyesontrack.com

For younger children (especially preschool and K), “Developing Your Child for Success” is a book full of exercises that can be very helpful.

Nancy

I would strongly suggest that you use the Wilson Reading Program, My son is in one of the best LD schools in the country, Penny Moldofsky, has tailored the Wilson Reading Program specifically for kids with AD, ADHD, etc. Let me know if you need additional help.

Hi Diane,
There are a few books out there. One that I own and like is “Developing Your Child for Success” by Dr. Kenneth Lane. It has a slew of exercises and is organized nicely. There are a few others that I’ve heard are good. If you do a search on Google for these types of books you’ll learn about more of them. Then you can compare descriptions and costs. I think the quality of information can vary quite a bit. There was one I ordered once awhile back, but returned because I wasn’t impressed with the exercises and the book was very expensive. So I think it’s good to do some research first. Good luck!

Consider Looking Glass Spelling to supplement reading instruction. It’s on my website www.gwhizresources.com. LGS is based on Glass Analysis, which is a good decoding program itself, but these kids need some intensive small-group or one-on one instruction. The spelling might work, because the students can work relatively independently to reinforce the principals of decoding/encoding, while you provide reading instruction in smaller groups. LGS works well with Orton and Wilson instruction, too.

Fern