4Real Forums: How to teach reading

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Language Arts Come Alive
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Topic: How to teach reading

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GraceandCoffee
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Joined: May 24 2007
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Posted: June 22 2013 at 11:51am \| IP Logged

Hi friends! It's been a while. I am returning to homeschooling this year. I will have a 6/7th grader, two 4th graders, and a 1st grader, (plus baby and toddler in tow).

I have been thinking about the real nature of learning how to read and how it's done in schools versus the natural ability to learn that is cultivated at home. I was talking with a friend of mine about her experience homeschooling her son, an only child. He just completed 1st grade. I asked her what reading level he was at. I am used to looking at things this way as a result of all the testing done in the public school system and getting back scores and reading levels all the time. I have had some notion of "how my kids are doing" based on all these various measurements. Specifically, they use Dibels testing, which tests for speed and accuracy in Kindergarteners by having them read lists of letters, nonsense syllables, and short words. They use the Accelerated Reader program which tests kids on reading comprehension after they read a book of their choice. The kids are then awarded based on how many books they read. I got back results from these tests about their reading level about 3 times a year.

This system is based on speed and accuracy and competion. Not content. My friend's answer to my question was "I don't know what level he is at. He just reads all the time, and I'm happy with that." Ah! It was like a breath of fresh air blew into the room. I don't care for all the testing and measuring. I care about my children's hearts. I want them to be avid readers of wonderful things for sheer joy and for the elevation of their souls.

So I am thinking I can drop all the numbers and just give them wonderful things to read. But what about my first grader? He can read a lot of nonsense syllables really fast. He can read simple stories. He can write if I spell words out for him. What does he need this year? Can we ditch phonics and readers and just read, read, read from good books? Books on his level? "I Can Read" type stuff? Is phonics still important? Why? I've noticed that Kolbe includes it up through at least 5th grade, I think.

Please give me any and all of your ideas on this subject! Thank you!

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MichelleW
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Joined: April 01 2005
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Posted: June 22 2013 at 1:27pm \| IP Logged

Yes! You can read, read, read! But by 2nd grade you should probably be using some kind of spelling program.

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Michelle
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CatholicMommy
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Posted: June 24 2013 at 8:12pm \| IP Logged

This is why I like the Montessori way SO much - even if just starting out in elementary (rather than primary). It provides the "keys" so the child can just READ and not worry about "is this 1st grade or 3rd grade reading level?" Takes the levels out of it entirely and brings in all the joy :)

So yes - if he knows the rudiments of reading - just provide books and reading items of interest and go from there!

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