New here! Have questions about reading!
lewis52005
Hi! For the last few months, I have been feeling a pull to unschool
my 3 children. Just a little history on us. This is our 4th year
homeschooling. My 2 older boys went to ps for 2 years. They
stuggled everyday and hated anything to do with learning. The
school system did nothing but test my children. When the test would
come back and show that there was nothing wrong, they (ps system)
would tell me that they would need to test again. After all that
craziness, I took a deep breath and jumped into this wonderful world
of homeschooling. It has been very rough at times, but very
rewarding.
Okay I will get to my questions. My middle son (age 10 next month)
is still having a very hard time reading. We have tried a lot of
things. At this point we are just starting over, using an old copy
of llatl (blue program). He is catching on better. Here are the
questions. When you unschool, how do you teach your dc to read? Do
they learn on their own or do I need to guide them? Do you use any
kind of program? Also, is it normal that he is taking so long to
learn to read?
Thanks so much!
Hope
my 3 children. Just a little history on us. This is our 4th year
homeschooling. My 2 older boys went to ps for 2 years. They
stuggled everyday and hated anything to do with learning. The
school system did nothing but test my children. When the test would
come back and show that there was nothing wrong, they (ps system)
would tell me that they would need to test again. After all that
craziness, I took a deep breath and jumped into this wonderful world
of homeschooling. It has been very rough at times, but very
rewarding.
Okay I will get to my questions. My middle son (age 10 next month)
is still having a very hard time reading. We have tried a lot of
things. At this point we are just starting over, using an old copy
of llatl (blue program). He is catching on better. Here are the
questions. When you unschool, how do you teach your dc to read? Do
they learn on their own or do I need to guide them? Do you use any
kind of program? Also, is it normal that he is taking so long to
learn to read?
Thanks so much!
Hope
[email protected]
When you unschool, kids naturally teach themselves to read. For some it is almost overnight. For others, it is very gradual over many years. It isn't uncommon at all for boys especially to not read until 12 or so. My son, now 12, taught himself to read playing video games and Yu-Gi-Oh.
Julie S.
Julie S.
----- Original Message -----
From: lewis52005 <lewis52005@...>
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2006 2:52 pm
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] New here! Have questions about reading!
> Hi! For the last few months, I have been feeling a pull to
> unschool
> my 3 children. Just a little history on us. This is our 4th year
> homeschooling. My 2 older boys went to ps for 2 years. They
> stuggled everyday and hated anything to do with learning. The
> school system did nothing but test my children. When the test
> would
> come back and show that there was nothing wrong, they (ps system)
> would tell me that they would need to test again. After all that
> craziness, I took a deep breath and jumped into this wonderful
> world
> of homeschooling. It has been very rough at times, but very
> rewarding.
>
> Okay I will get to my questions. My middle son (age 10 next
> month)
> is still having a very hard time reading. We have tried a lot of
> things. At this point we are just starting over, using an old
> copy
> of llatl (blue program). He is catching on better. Here are the
> questions. When you unschool, how do you teach your dc to read?
> Do
> they learn on their own or do I need to guide them? Do you use
> any
> kind of program? Also, is it normal that he is taking so long to
> learn to read?
>
> Thanks so much!
>
> Hope
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: lewis52005 lewis52005@...
Okay I will get to my questions. My middle son (age 10 next month)
is still having a very hard time reading. We have tried a lot of
things. At this point we are just starting over, using an old copy
of llatl (blue program). He is catching on better.
-=-=-
Sometimes when you're struggling with something, it's best to just put it aside for a while. Don't dwell on
it. Ignore it. Do something else unrelated.
Sometimes, it takes a little digesting.
-=-==-
Here are the
questions. When you unschool, how do you teach your dc to read?
-=-=-=-
You don't. You surround them with the written word. You answer their questions. You get them things they'd
like to read. You read TO them. You listen to books on tape/CD. You read and enjoy books in front of them.
-=-=-=-
Do they learn on their own or do I need to guide them?
-=-=-
Well, they learn on their own with guidance. Read to them. Buy them books and magazines. Spell and pronounce
words when they ask how. You don;'t leave them to figure it out all by themsleves, but you don't need to
"teach" it either. Make the printed word a part of their lives.
-=-==-
Do you use any kind of program?
-=-=-
No.
-=-==-
Also, is it normal that he is taking so long to
learn to read?
-=-=-=-
That's not long! Most boys don't read until 12. Even children in school!
Many avoid any real reading because its been pushed and pushed before they're ready.
What's your hurry?
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
From: lewis52005 lewis52005@...
Okay I will get to my questions. My middle son (age 10 next month)
is still having a very hard time reading. We have tried a lot of
things. At this point we are just starting over, using an old copy
of llatl (blue program). He is catching on better.
-=-=-
Sometimes when you're struggling with something, it's best to just put it aside for a while. Don't dwell on
it. Ignore it. Do something else unrelated.
Sometimes, it takes a little digesting.
-=-==-
Here are the
questions. When you unschool, how do you teach your dc to read?
-=-=-=-
You don't. You surround them with the written word. You answer their questions. You get them things they'd
like to read. You read TO them. You listen to books on tape/CD. You read and enjoy books in front of them.
-=-=-=-
Do they learn on their own or do I need to guide them?
-=-=-
Well, they learn on their own with guidance. Read to them. Buy them books and magazines. Spell and pronounce
words when they ask how. You don;'t leave them to figure it out all by themsleves, but you don't need to
"teach" it either. Make the printed word a part of their lives.
-=-==-
Do you use any kind of program?
-=-=-
No.
-=-==-
Also, is it normal that he is taking so long to
learn to read?
-=-=-=-
That's not long! Most boys don't read until 12. Even children in school!
Many avoid any real reading because its been pushed and pushed before they're ready.
What's your hurry?
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Laura Gallagher
Hi Kelly,
Do you mean literally that most boys don't learn to read until age 12?
Where did you get that information? I'm reassured by it--but, where is that
from?
Laura
on 1/20/06 2:36 PM, kbcdlovejo@... at kbcdlovejo@... wrote:
-----Original Message-----
From: lewis52005 lewis52005@...
Okay I will get to my questions. My middle son (age 10 next month)
is still having a very hard time reading. We have tried a lot of
things. At this point we are just starting over, using an old copy
of llatl (blue program). He is catching on better.
-=-=-
Sometimes when you're struggling with something, it's best to just put it
aside for a while. Don't dwell on
it. Ignore it. Do something else unrelated.
Sometimes, it takes a little digesting.
-=-==-
Here are the
questions. When you unschool, how do you teach your dc to read?
-=-=-=-
You don't. You surround them with the written word. You answer their
questions. You get them things they'd
like to read. You read TO them. You listen to books on tape/CD. You read and
enjoy books in front of them.
-=-=-=-
Do they learn on their own or do I need to guide them?
-=-=-
Well, they learn on their own with guidance. Read to them. Buy them books
and magazines. Spell and pronounce
words when they ask how. You don;'t leave them to figure it out all by
themsleves, but you don't need to
"teach" it either. Make the printed word a part of their lives.
-=-==-
Do you use any kind of program?
-=-=-
No.
-=-==-
Also, is it normal that he is taking so long to
learn to read?
-=-=-=-
That's not long! Most boys don't read until 12. Even children in school!
Many avoid any real reading because its been pushed and pushed before
they're ready.
What's your hurry?
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
Visit your group "unschoolingbasics
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics> " on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]?subject=Unsubscribe>
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Do you mean literally that most boys don't learn to read until age 12?
Where did you get that information? I'm reassured by it--but, where is that
from?
Laura
on 1/20/06 2:36 PM, kbcdlovejo@... at kbcdlovejo@... wrote:
-----Original Message-----
From: lewis52005 lewis52005@...
Okay I will get to my questions. My middle son (age 10 next month)
is still having a very hard time reading. We have tried a lot of
things. At this point we are just starting over, using an old copy
of llatl (blue program). He is catching on better.
-=-=-
Sometimes when you're struggling with something, it's best to just put it
aside for a while. Don't dwell on
it. Ignore it. Do something else unrelated.
Sometimes, it takes a little digesting.
-=-==-
Here are the
questions. When you unschool, how do you teach your dc to read?
-=-=-=-
You don't. You surround them with the written word. You answer their
questions. You get them things they'd
like to read. You read TO them. You listen to books on tape/CD. You read and
enjoy books in front of them.
-=-=-=-
Do they learn on their own or do I need to guide them?
-=-=-
Well, they learn on their own with guidance. Read to them. Buy them books
and magazines. Spell and pronounce
words when they ask how. You don;'t leave them to figure it out all by
themsleves, but you don't need to
"teach" it either. Make the printed word a part of their lives.
-=-==-
Do you use any kind of program?
-=-=-
No.
-=-==-
Also, is it normal that he is taking so long to
learn to read?
-=-=-=-
That's not long! Most boys don't read until 12. Even children in school!
Many avoid any real reading because its been pushed and pushed before
they're ready.
What's your hurry?
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
Visit your group "unschoolingbasics
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics> " on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]?subject=Unsubscribe>
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
>>My middle son (age 10 next month)is still having a very hard time reading. >>
Are you having him read aloud to you? Way back when, I tried that with my son and that turned out to be the source of his problems rather than any help at all. REading aloud is sooo different than reading silently to oneself. Once I left him alone for awhile, and he was ready, all those reading problems and "learning disabilities" seemed to melt away. He's a voracious reader now, but didn't really start reading fluently until 9 or 10 years old.
My suggestion would be to relax. Don't start on any reading programs. He's not in school so he's got time to develop and advance at his own rate. Schools push early reading to keep the kids on the school conveyor belt. They need them reading independently by fourth grade so they can start assigning textbook reading and homework. You're free from all of that.
Give him time off for good behavior <g> and just read to him. Get him comics and manga and magazines with lots of cool pictures, play games together, and listen to books on tape. Surround him with the written word and let him pick and choose what he wants to look at. Help him read if he asks but don't ask him to read. It'll happen when he's ready and you'll wonder why you ever worried so much.
--
~Mary, unschooling mom to Conor (16) and Casey (11)
"Just today I'm going to be utterly present for my children, I'm going to be in their world (not just doing my own thing while they do theirs), I'm going to really hear them, I'm going to prepare myself to be present starting right now."
~Ren Allen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: Laura Gallagher <lauradbg@...>
Do you mean literally that most boys don't learn to read until age 12?
Where did you get that information? I'm reassured by it--but, where is that
from?
-=-=-=-
I mean that most boys are not *ready* to read until later. That schools push reading before boys are ready.
That they may have a few things decoded, but that they are literally NOT *reading* until 12-ish.
Each child is different: some girls read later. Some boys read earlier. Most read later than schools would
have you believe: that's why there are so many remedial reading classes---stocked with boys!
When schools say that all the kids are reading in third grade---what they really mean is that all the
kids have been assigned a book to read. *Some* of the kids can decode most words. Some are reading fluently.
Many are struggling and in remedial reading classes. Many are learning to hate it. :-(
Google "reading age boys" You can toss in "average" or "struggling" or any number of other words into
Google. You'll get millions of hits. It's a common subject as far as schools are concerned.
Not as much of an issue for unschoolers who are not comparing their children or pushing them to do what
they're not ready for. We know they will get there when they're ready. I've NEVER hear of a grown
unschooler who couldn't read. But I've heard of MANY schooled adults who can't.
But there are *many* reports on schooled children's reading ages. Go google! You'll spend hours.
~KellyKelly LovejoyConference CoordinatorLive and Learn Unschooling Conferencehttp://liveandlearnconference.org
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
From: Laura Gallagher <lauradbg@...>
Do you mean literally that most boys don't learn to read until age 12?
Where did you get that information? I'm reassured by it--but, where is that
from?
-=-=-=-
I mean that most boys are not *ready* to read until later. That schools push reading before boys are ready.
That they may have a few things decoded, but that they are literally NOT *reading* until 12-ish.
Each child is different: some girls read later. Some boys read earlier. Most read later than schools would
have you believe: that's why there are so many remedial reading classes---stocked with boys!
When schools say that all the kids are reading in third grade---what they really mean is that all the
kids have been assigned a book to read. *Some* of the kids can decode most words. Some are reading fluently.
Many are struggling and in remedial reading classes. Many are learning to hate it. :-(
Google "reading age boys" You can toss in "average" or "struggling" or any number of other words into
Google. You'll get millions of hits. It's a common subject as far as schools are concerned.
Not as much of an issue for unschoolers who are not comparing their children or pushing them to do what
they're not ready for. We know they will get there when they're ready. I've NEVER hear of a grown
unschooler who couldn't read. But I've heard of MANY schooled adults who can't.
But there are *many* reports on schooled children's reading ages. Go google! You'll spend hours.
~KellyKelly LovejoyConference CoordinatorLive and Learn Unschooling Conferencehttp://liveandlearnconference.org
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Laura Gallagher
Thanks for the info, Kelly. As I said, I'm reassured by it and will
continue to read the Harry Potter books to my son snuggled on the couch
together with the promise that he will read them to me when he is ready and
able to!
He is excited by the idea that he will some day read to me. I am too.
Laura
on 1/21/06 8:31 AM, kbcdlovejo@... at kbcdlovejo@... wrote:
-----Original Message-----
From: Laura Gallagher <lauradbg@...>
Do you mean literally that most boys don't learn to read until age 12?
Where did you get that information? I'm reassured by it--but, where is that
from?
-=-=-=-
I mean that most boys are not *ready* to read until later. That schools push
reading before boys are ready.
That they may have a few things decoded, but that they are literally NOT
*reading* until 12-ish.
Each child is different: some girls read later. Some boys read earlier. Most
read later than schools would
have you believe: that's why there are so many remedial reading
classes---stocked with boys!
When schools say that all the kids are reading in third grade---what they
really mean is that all the
kids have been assigned a book to read. *Some* of the kids can decode most
words. Some are reading fluently.
Many are struggling and in remedial reading classes. Many are learning to
hate it. :-(
Google "reading age boys" You can toss in "average" or "struggling" or any
number of other words into
Google. You'll get millions of hits. It's a common subject as far as schools
are concerned.
Not as much of an issue for unschoolers who are not comparing their children
or pushing them to do what
they're not ready for. We know they will get there when they're ready. I've
NEVER hear of a grown
unschooler who couldn't read. But I've heard of MANY schooled adults who
can't.
But there are *many* reports on schooled children's reading ages. Go google!
You'll spend hours.
~KellyKelly LovejoyConference CoordinatorLive and Learn Unschooling
Conferencehttp://liveandlearnconference.org
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
Visit your group "unschoolingbasics
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics> " on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]?subject=Unsubscribe>
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
continue to read the Harry Potter books to my son snuggled on the couch
together with the promise that he will read them to me when he is ready and
able to!
He is excited by the idea that he will some day read to me. I am too.
Laura
on 1/21/06 8:31 AM, kbcdlovejo@... at kbcdlovejo@... wrote:
-----Original Message-----
From: Laura Gallagher <lauradbg@...>
Do you mean literally that most boys don't learn to read until age 12?
Where did you get that information? I'm reassured by it--but, where is that
from?
-=-=-=-
I mean that most boys are not *ready* to read until later. That schools push
reading before boys are ready.
That they may have a few things decoded, but that they are literally NOT
*reading* until 12-ish.
Each child is different: some girls read later. Some boys read earlier. Most
read later than schools would
have you believe: that's why there are so many remedial reading
classes---stocked with boys!
When schools say that all the kids are reading in third grade---what they
really mean is that all the
kids have been assigned a book to read. *Some* of the kids can decode most
words. Some are reading fluently.
Many are struggling and in remedial reading classes. Many are learning to
hate it. :-(
Google "reading age boys" You can toss in "average" or "struggling" or any
number of other words into
Google. You'll get millions of hits. It's a common subject as far as schools
are concerned.
Not as much of an issue for unschoolers who are not comparing their children
or pushing them to do what
they're not ready for. We know they will get there when they're ready. I've
NEVER hear of a grown
unschooler who couldn't read. But I've heard of MANY schooled adults who
can't.
But there are *many* reports on schooled children's reading ages. Go google!
You'll spend hours.
~KellyKelly LovejoyConference CoordinatorLive and Learn Unschooling
Conferencehttp://liveandlearnconference.org
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
Visit your group "unschoolingbasics
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics> " on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]?subject=Unsubscribe>
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Lisa H
<<Laura Gallagher wrote: Do you mean literally that most boys don't learn to read until age 12? Where did you get that information? I'm reassured by it--but, where is that from?>>
<<Kelly L. wrote: I mean that most boys are not *ready* to read until later. That schools push reading before boys are ready. That they may have a few things decoded, but that they are literally NOT *reading* until 12-ish.>>
This is true for girls as well. 12 1/2 and beyond.
The greatest challenge in later readers is maintaining a strong self image without the need to read - by being accepting and comfortable with whatever your child's time table supports their ability to be accepting and comfortable in themselves. A later reader knows they have different abilities than other kids their age.
It is really amazing to witness an older person who is not burdened with decoding words and the wonderful abilities and skills they master that might not otherwise be the case were they to be reading.
And, it's very important to be very accessible to assist when reading is necessary.
Lisa
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
<<Kelly L. wrote: I mean that most boys are not *ready* to read until later. That schools push reading before boys are ready. That they may have a few things decoded, but that they are literally NOT *reading* until 12-ish.>>
This is true for girls as well. 12 1/2 and beyond.
The greatest challenge in later readers is maintaining a strong self image without the need to read - by being accepting and comfortable with whatever your child's time table supports their ability to be accepting and comfortable in themselves. A later reader knows they have different abilities than other kids their age.
It is really amazing to witness an older person who is not burdened with decoding words and the wonderful abilities and skills they master that might not otherwise be the case were they to be reading.
And, it's very important to be very accessible to assist when reading is necessary.
Lisa
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Lisa H
-----Original Message-----
From: lewis52005 lewis52005@...
Okay I will get to my questions. My middle son (age 10 next month)
is still having a very hard time reading. We have tried a lot of
things. At this point we are just starting over, using an old copy
of llatl (blue program). He is catching on better.
*********
Is he asking to read? Is he asking to do "work?" Does he enjoy the "blue program?" If it's not something he asks to do without any coercion on your part than don't do it. When he's ready he will read. Relax. He's still very young. otoh if you sit back and don't push, you may find that he is already reading - may not be aloud and it may not be books. Just don't push because that will certainly take the joy out of the experience of reading. And it reflects your lack of acceptance in who he is. Focus on the wonderful gifts and skills he has. Give attention to and nurture his interests and desires.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
From: lewis52005 lewis52005@...
Okay I will get to my questions. My middle son (age 10 next month)
is still having a very hard time reading. We have tried a lot of
things. At this point we are just starting over, using an old copy
of llatl (blue program). He is catching on better.
*********
Is he asking to read? Is he asking to do "work?" Does he enjoy the "blue program?" If it's not something he asks to do without any coercion on your part than don't do it. When he's ready he will read. Relax. He's still very young. otoh if you sit back and don't push, you may find that he is already reading - may not be aloud and it may not be books. Just don't push because that will certainly take the joy out of the experience of reading. And it reflects your lack of acceptance in who he is. Focus on the wonderful gifts and skills he has. Give attention to and nurture his interests and desires.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]