hey

i just wanted to offer my voice of support. I hope everything works out for you and your son!

What would Collin do? I'm glad you asked...

Actually, the high school student idea is really good. At least at my high school, there were a large group of people who volunteered at local elementary schools. College students might work as well, but a high school student would probably have more free time outside of their own classes.

I'm also surprised the teacher hasn't responded as of yet; most teachers should be happy that a parent responded so quickly.

I second to finding out the root cause (if you had not)- before you do anything else. He won't get any help until they find out exactly what is preventing him from becoming a good reader.

I heard Mel Levine's book, One Mind At a Time, is good for discovering your child's acedemic strengths and weaknesses.

I actually heard a segment on Dr. Laura (I know, I know) the other day dealing with this same topic...

Her advice to the Mother was not to retain the child, as each child develops different skills at different times. She believes that holding the child back would be far more detrimental in the long run than promoting them with a lower reading level - as long as the parents are aware of the situation and are working on it. Even though I don't usually agree with her I think I agree on this point.

Good Luck with whatever you decide, and for the record, I second the advice of getting an Education major as a tutor.

I'm an elementary education major like a lot of people on the board and I echo what has been said - you don't need Sylvan! Reading is one of those skills that is best developed with lots of practice and personal attention.

I think it would be a fantastic activity for you and your son to take on becoming a life long good reader together. Set aside a half hour (more if you have the time!) to read together at least 5 times a week. Set a plan, go to the library and get some books and stick to it!

Talk to your son's teacher about diagnosing his current reading level - she should have tests she can either do, or give you to do. Talk to her about how far he realistically needs to come to be "on level"

I agree with everyone else - she handled this all wrong. you don't send a note home about something as important as detaining a student! Kudos to you for being so proactive.

I would have to suggest if you do not get anywhere with your son's teacher by the end of the day on Thursday, call and talk with the school office, hopefully either the counselor and/or the principal, and the district office. See if you can set up 2 meetings. One for parent(s), teacher, counselor and principal/district-staff-member. And a second one that includes your son.
At the first one discuss all options to assist your son in catching up on reading skills. At the second one discuss with your son what will be done to prevent him from being held back and get him enthused to "git-r-done".

Yeah, no I was thinking of someone else.

-Rudey

WhatWouldCraigDo?

Bingo.

-Rudey

:D


I'd beat his ass with a belt and make him read to me every night until he could read and comprehend better than most in his class. He wouldnt be allowed to play any sort of game or sport until he accomplished his task.


ETA: I had the same problem when I was little only it wasnt because I was dumb. I just never did my reading when my teacher told me to. My mother thought I had a problem but my dad thought otherwise. So when there eventually became problems at school my dad beat my ass with a leather belt and then made me read to him every night for 1 year straight. Today I'm the better reader out my sibling and I and my SAT score in the reading section was a 700.

Also, that tutoring crap is bullshit. People need to learn to make their kids do what they want them to do. Its much easier for a child to learn than an adult.

Is this the same kid who is trying to have a six-pack?

yes it is.

Wendi,

You need to put in a formal request for Special Ed testing now. They are required by law to do it within 30 days. If he's doing that great at math and is struggling with reading, there could be a processing problem that only Special Ed teachers are trained to deal with. All the tutors in the world wouldn't be able to help him if he's LD and simply doesn't perceive things the same way as the rest of us do. The school is REQUIRED to address these needs at no cost to you. It sounds like he needs more than Reading Recovery has been offering. So, request that evaluation and make sure they do it. If he does have a learning disability, he could go to first grade for 10 years and it won't change without a specialist's help.

Dee

So you're saying her son is retarded??

-Rudey