We purchased the book to the left, October Ogre - which incidentally is about a small town mystery - from the school. I read it to him at bed over several nights.
On the last night when I finished it, he sat back and said, "Awwww. It's over." He sounded so sad and I thought YES, yes kid, I know just what that feeling is like.
That let down at the end of a really great book. The feeling that propels you to pick up another, and another, and another.
Then he said, "Will you read it to me again from the beginning?" Of course! I told him then that someday he would be able to read great books like that to himself as well.
The next weekend we started something new. For 15 minutes, we sit side by side on the couch. He reads a book of his own and I read a book or magazine of mine. He told me, "You know that really was kind of fun."
Another tip comes from his reading teacher. Her and I keep in contact through email and, given his love of numbers and tangible expressions, she made a chart so he could see his progress as the year goes on. He LOVED that and it seemed to fuel his motivation to improve more.
If you have a reluctant reader, perhaps giving them a visual display of their progress in speed, accuracy, sight words, minutes read, reading level, whatever, just might help.
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My son and I are pretty avid readers so I understand what you are saying about great books for reluctant readers. This book looks like something my little nephew or grandson would enjoy. I will have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteWe just have to get over the hump of seeing reading as work!
DeleteMy whole family loves to read when we can find the time. My Grandson is really getting into it also and I am sure this is a book he will enjoy.
ReplyDeleteReading is such a wonderful thing to do. I can't imagine not having lots of things around to read. I hope my kiddo picks it up.
DeleteI feel like my nine year old reads books because that is what his friends are reading. I don't care what he reads as long as he likes it - and so far so good.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, if it motivates them to read, that's the main thing!
DeleteM son is yet to pick up the joy of reading.. but I agree with the visual appeal.. it is a great push for reluctant readers :)
ReplyDeleteI heard from his reading teacher again that the chart with his points and stars for meeting certain goals are REALLY helping him. He's so mathematical and methodical and goal-oriented that he needs that push to get through something he doesn't naturally enjoy.
DeleteWhen my kids were in second grade, the teacher had Book Worms. Each child in the class had one with just a head and there name written on it. For each book they read, they filled out a form (with parental help) with the book title, author, how many pages, and one sentence about the book. The teacher then pasted that to a green construction paper circle and stapled it to their Book Worm. Throughout the year the Book Worms grew. There was a prize at the end of the year for the child with the longest Book Worm, and all of the kids got to take home their Book Worms (mine still have their tucked away in a memory box). The teacher adjusted the number of body pieces if the child read a longer book to make it fair. This was a great visual and motivator for the kids! :) We always had reading time together like that. It is a fun, relaxing time, and so educational for young readers. Go, Brady! :)
ReplyDelete~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Oh man, I LOVE that idea! Not all teachers think in visual terms or mathematical terms. I'm so blessed that two of his teachers outside of his main classroom emailed me with problem areas this year. And in both cases I suggested a visual and mathematical solution and both of them, thank God, were open to the idea. What they did in both cases really really helped him and motivated him. I just this week got a box and put "Books Brady can read by himself" on it so he can just go grab one if he wants. I hope he will someday :)
DeleteFYI... your Pintabulous Moms Fall Board link in the sideboard is not working...
ReplyDeleteReading time is a favorite at our house too! Our local library does a summer reading program and Seth loved taking in his filled out program and getting rewards for his time spent listening. He has favorite books that he "reads," but we still have a couple of years until he is reading on his own.
ReplyDeleteWe really embraced reading programs this summer and it was a great motivator for Brady because it is so goal-oriented AND you got to count pages or minutes. He adores anything that involves counting and an end goal. I think this will be good someday when he is out in the world. It's so great your boy is enjoying books already!
DeleteI love it when people post tips and tricks that have helped their kids. If it worked for your son, who knows, it just might work for mine as well! It's great to find books kids are interested in - and it sometimes proves challenging. I might just have to check out that ogre book :)
ReplyDeleteThe ogre book is so fun! It's mildly scary but mostly a mystery and so great it is in a small town just like ours! I have found tips online too that we have used.
DeleteGreat tips! I know I hate it when a book is over. I feel like I am ending a chapter in my own life! Silly I know, but I love reading!
ReplyDeleteI feel that way! Then I immediately start looking for another one to get into!
DeleteThose really are great tips to encourage reluctant readers. I think it is important that kids see their parents reading.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Pam! How can they deem it as important if they don't see their parents doing it.
DeleteMy older two love to read. I am an avid reader so I am trying to get the youngest to love reading before he starts school. My goal is to share read 1000 books with my kids during their lifetime and we are well underway. This looks like a fun book we would enjoy, thanks for sharing. I would love if you would link it up to my Small Victories Sunday linky! http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-6-the-one-where-karma-goes-bad-and-we-rocked-to-bon-jovi/
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, that's an amazing goal! I never thought in terms of number of books. Thanks for the invite to the link up. I will check it out!
DeleteI love that my son is into reading. Both his dad and I are big readers, and we made sure that our children SEE us read. That was a biggie for me. And we provide lots of reading material in their interests - a great motivator.
ReplyDeleteYes, it makes such a difference if they think, hey, mom and dad think this is important. I'm so grateful Brady LOVES books and stories, could have me read to him all day. The hurdle is transitioning to him reading by himself.
DeleteI think it's so cool when kids grow up with reading as part of their daily life. This will give them a solid start in school.
ReplyDeleteI think it makes a huge difference! I can't imagine a life without reading as a big part of it :)
DeleteMy oldest and 3rd love to read. My second does not love to as much. It makes me sad, but I'm hoping she enjoys it more as time goes by. She can read, and finds a few books fun to read, but does not normally read by choice.
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe it is a little harder for her? For Brady, he does math like he's always known how to do it but reading can frustrate him a lot. It's not so linear and rule-bound and black and white. But he adores stories and books and has a creative mind, so he's compelled to keep trying. Maybe she just hasn't hit on the one thing that will motivate her? The right book or a different perspective.
DeleteWhat an interesting way to learn to read
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet story! Love to hear little ones taking joy in reading! In Adult life, we read so much!
ReplyDeleteAww, good for Brady! We're still working on Peanut and wanting to take a stab at reading. He knows the words, he'd just rather be read to. Which is fine I suppose (for now) because I'll take all the cuddles I can. I'd love for you to share this on Family Friday Link-Up this coming Friday on Missy Homemaker. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's how Brady is, even now at 8. He'd rather me read to him but he's accepting himself reading more and more and we are blessed that his reading teacher is working with him so well and taken such an interest in him. He is gaining in confidence, that was the area that held him back, also it doesn't "behave" the way math does, ha! Math is very predictable and follows the rules, words don't necessarily do that. And I'd love to share! I'm behind, but will catch up!
DeleteI love to hear about kids being good readers - in the age of electronic toys, this is a more and more needed hobby :)
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great idea. I never thought about that visual display. My son doesn't like reading unless I tell him to. My toddler on the other hand LOVES books.
ReplyDeleteIs your son a visual guy? Or a mathematical or goal-oriented kid? For Brady, he needed to see reading as something practical as well as fun. If he has a goal, he'll go for it. Or if he can visually, mathematically see himself improving, he will gain in confidence. Just telling him doesn't work. He has to SEE it expressed in the way he understands best: Numbers!
DeleteI linked up behind you on the Bloggers brags Pinterest Party--so I pinned your post to my boards and to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board. Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Tammy! I enjoy the pinterest party!
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by and sharing on Family Friday Link Up Party!
ReplyDelete