STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kelly · Hermes

Teachers - help! tutoring to read

jaymiek · Coach

Wow, I'm just shocked that educational professionals are saying that he doesn't need to know how to read. First and foremost, he needs to get tested for a learning disability since teachers have suspected it but haven't followed through on it. I'm in a teaching credential program and I'm taking a class on teaching children how to read right now, and I've participated in a 1st grade classroom where many of the kids were beginning readers. My professor strongly suggests NOT to start with phonics first, since apparently it will confuse the heck out of kids. If you want more info, I have my professor's book already downloaded on my computer so I could send parts of it to you if you want. PM me if you're interested.

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

That is one of the saddest things I have ever heard. My best friend's a first grade teacher, I will call her and see if she can help you.

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

As a future English teacher I must say that I am totally disgusted to hear this. What state are you in? With all of the focus on test scores today I can't believe that this boy's school doesn't have him working with Reading Specialist in order to improve his skills. I am happy that you are willing to help him out though.

The two major ways that kids are taught to read in the US are Phonics and the Whole Language approach. Phonics focuses more on sounds and worksheet type exercises and Whole Language focuses more on learning to read through reading actual texts. Both methods are proven to work so it depends on your particular style. When I am tutoring kids on reading I use a combination of both. If your friend can afford it I would highly suggest using Hooked on Phonics to start and then move to books in order to help the boy become more confident in longer reading activities. Good books for learning to read are Shel Silverstein, Dr. Seuss, and Eric Carle.

As a side note, if they are able to afford the HOP method the dad could also learn to read with his son. It could be a family activity and would help the son realize how important his learning to read is to his father. Let me know if you have any other questions.

ejc423 · Coach

Okay, this is ridiculous. As a speech pathologist in the school system, I am under the special education umbrella and stuff like this is what gives us all a bad name. Please tell this man to request that his son be evaluated by a psychologist who, with the help of teachers and parent, will make a determination on whether the child has a learning disability. If he qualifies, he will get resource services and accommodations in the classroom.
It may also be possible that the child has been evaluated and did not qualify and the teachers don't really know what to tell dad. The way educational due process paperwork is written is NOT parent friendly, and unless someone really spends time going over it, it is hard to understand what is going on. Especially if the parent cannot read and/or is not able to attend the meetings.
I think it's great that you are willing to help this child. I think the most helpful thing you could do for the family is to get the father in touch with a parent advocacy program. Most states have them. I just did a google search for "special education parent advocate" and lots of stuff came up. Hopefully an advocate would be able to help the father sort out what is happening with the school and why his son isn't getting the education that he is by law entitled to.
PM me if you have any questions. Good luck!

Kelly · Hermes

Thanks, everyone! I'll definitely be PMing in the near future. Of course I'd still love any other suggestions if anyone else has any!

Farrah wrote:What state are you in? With all of the focus on test scores today I can't believe that this boy's school doesn't have him working with Reading Specialist in order to improve his skills.

I'm in Kentucky. I don't know a whole lot about "No Child Left Behind," but my cousin is a teacher and I've heard her talking about the pressure she's under to pass kids onto the next grade even when they're not ready. I don't know if that could be factor here or not.

hotcocoa · Kate Spade

There is this book, Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. You can probably find a copy at your library. I have it, haven't used it yet. It spells out EXACTLY how to go about doing each lesson so you don't have to worry about being a good enough teacher. It's worth checking out... my neighbor recommended it. She used to be a preschool teacher.

http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Your-Child-Read-Lessons/dp/0671631985/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225752713&sr=1-1

Sad story... I hope you can help

Teresa · Kate Spade

isnt elle an english teacher? pm her (if she's the one im thinking of)

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

collegegirl5858 wrote:

isnt elle an english teacher? pm her (if she's the one im thinking of)

Elle is in school to be nurse. Halleybird is an English teacher and I will be one very very soon

.

relrel · Marc Jacobs

ejc423 wrote:

Okay, this is ridiculous. As a speech pathologist in the school system, I am under the special education umbrella and stuff like this is what gives us all a bad name. Please tell this man to request that his son be evaluated by a psychologist who, with the help of teachers and parent, will make a determination on whether the child has a learning disability. If he qualifies, he will get resource services and accommodations in the classroom.
It may also be possible that the child has been evaluated and did not qualify and the teachers don't really know what to tell dad. The way educational due process paperwork is written is NOT parent friendly, and unless someone really spends time going over it, it is hard to understand what is going on. Especially if the parent cannot read and/or is not able to attend the meetings.
I think it's great that you are willing to help this child. I think the most helpful thing you could do for the family is to get the father in touch with a parent advocacy program. Most states have them. I just did a google search for "special education parent advocate" and lots of stuff came up. Hopefully an advocate would be able to help the father sort out what is happening with the school and why his son isn't getting the education that he is by law entitled to.
PM me if you have any questions. Good luck!

Okay, I love that you are willing to help this man and his son, but it's not your job. It's the school's job and his teacher's job. I agree with ejc423, you can probably help the most with getting the father in touch with people who are trained to be advocates with students. You can always help the son with tutoring, but he will probably require more than you are able to help him with.

Also, a sneaky side of me thinks that you should, with the permission of the father, call the local news company and report this to thier tip line! If this child isn't getting any help, I'm sure that there's other kids too that are falling through the cracks.

Suasoria · Chanel

I can't help with the lesson plans, but I think the father and the child should take this step towards literacy together. What a beautiful story this could be, and Ttara, bless your heart for wanting to help.

(Is the father single and good-looking, by any chance? Just asking.)

Kelly · Hermes

haha Suasoria, he is single and while he's super nice, I wouldn't exactly call him studly...