Hi, My 5th grade son has been in SLD reading /writing classes for the past 3 years. He is on “consult” for this school year (we’re taking it 9 weeks at a time.) He can do the work - his comprehension is great, but his fluency is very slow. He is getting frustrated because he can’t keep up with the class. He has been bringing home all the work he can’t get done and doing it for homework. (We’ve been back to school for 3 weeks now). I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about speed reading. I wonder if that would confuse him too much? Would his comprehension go down? Or would it let him get the main idea without being bogged down with every word?
He also has anixety disorder and ADD.
Thanks
Re: speed reading for 5th grader?
I would not recommend speed reading.
Aside from incorporating a fluency program into instruction (such as Great Leaps, Read Naturally, Rewards from Sopris West), you might want to opt to get a developmental vision evaluation done privately. Visual efficiency skills are not checked in regular eye exams. A child can have 20/20 vision but still have severe visual efficiency problems that interfere with reading. See http://www.childrensvision.com for more information about this type of problem.
The other common reason for slowness in reading is auditory processing disorder. This is more difficult to test for, so I would start with vision.
Nancy
Re: speed reading for 5th grader?
Hi Kelly,
Here’s a link to Really Easy Reader, where you can download a free speed reading software program.
It is quite easy to use, and has been developed to help children/adults with reading difficulties.
It does not reduce comprehension.
http://www.reallyeasyreader.com/index.html
Geoff.
Kelly,
Without knowing your son, it is difficult to accurately design an intervention to “speed up” his reading without creating anxiety. What we want is effortless reading. Practice on a daily basis builds up speed without increasing anxiety levels. From what you have written, I would hesitate to encourage traditional speed reading. He already has major time commitments, leaving little time for him to relax and do fun things. You may need school accomodations to allow for sports, art, religion, social, and relaxation activities (all essential).
Try to make sure you eliminate what we consider busy work that serve no educational function. Ken Campbell