4Real Forums: Reading Level; Font size (Pathway Books)

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Topic: Reading Level; Font size (Pathway Books)

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Kathryn
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Posted: Sept 02 2010 at 7:15pm \| IP Logged

Ok...this is kind of a multi-part post, hence the title. As a spin-off from my Remedial Readers thread, I began searching out the Pathway Publishers books (from Amish schools) and seem to like those. I found them all in a local bookstore and had DS read Busy Times (Book 2.1 - 1st book in 2nd grade level) and he did great. Then More Busy Times (Book 2.2) and again, seemed to really do good. Then Climbing Higher (Book 2.3) and there was a noticeable difference in the font size and him struggling with some of the vocabulary. I question...was he really struggling w/ the font size or the actual words. ?! Anyone else have opinion on this and these books in particular as "learn to read" books or just as fun stories?

Soo, how does reading level and size of font relate to which books to get for your dc? I found an old post here that spoke about visual maturity. However, in his MCP Phonics book (that obviously has larger print) sometimes he still struggles with those words as well but it is a 4th grade phonics book but there are easy words (to me) that he should know: cures and stirs are examples from today.

Do you make a list of words your child struggles with and put them in flashcard format? That doesn't seem to be translating well to true reading though.

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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)

Angel
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Posted: Sept 03 2010 at 7:03am \| IP Logged

Kathryn, have you had your son checked by a developmental optometrist? (I'm sorry if I'm repeating something anyone told you in your other thread! If so, just ignore me.

)If he really does seem to be having a problem with *font* rather than phonics, he may be having vision problems that go beyond just being able to see larger or smaller. He may have trouble focusing or tracking, too. The average pediatric optamologist will NOT catch these things, though, so it's important to seek out a developmental optometrist. I've now had three kids who've had problems learning to read, and vision has been a major cause in all their cases.

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Angela
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Kathryn
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Posted: Sept 03 2010 at 9:08am \| IP Logged

Someone mentioned that months ago and I haven't had that done and I suppose now is most definitely the time to get a definite answer on that.

So, refresh me again, but what would I look for specifically...a pediatric developmental optometrist? I think someone had even given me a link about how to find one locally but that was a long time ago. I'll see if I can find that. I'm just not really sure that's the problem (font vs. phonics ha ha) but it's a definite possibility b/c of some other issues/symptoms we've had w/ him and his eyes in the past.

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Kathryn in TX
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ALmom
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Posted: Sept 03 2010 at 2:47pm \| IP Logged

Kathryn:

A lot depends on the region. We went with a Developmental optometrist and he was great. A different Developmental Optometrist would give a bad name to the whole field. Here are a few things to look for:

1) If they are a Fellow that indicates more experience and particularly from COVD or one other.

2) If they have in house therapy or have a specific vision therapist that they work with that is another good sign. Some places use occupational therapists and while these will help with some things, they don't have the vision experience and it may be a sign of being too expensive for the results you will get. Our optometrist has his own in house therapist - lovely lady who supervises a number of others - but who will also work with you at home (we are too far away to go to the optometrist 2X per week) or will work with a therapist you find and help keep communications thorough between therapists and the supervising optometrist.

3) What do they test for? Do they rely exclusively on machinery or does the optometrist actually look at your child and their eyes and what the eyes are doing. Do they test for a whole myriad of things. How long does the testing take. We requested a learning related vision exam - the exam with the doctor took about 20 - 30 minutes - slightly longer than the regular eye exam but not so much longer that a child would notice. However after this, we were referred for additional testing with the vision therapist (for our children in whom he detected signs of problems). This second testing took 2 hours.

To see some of the symptoms/signs and the kinds of things that should be tested along with getting recommendations for a certain region - check out pavevision.org

Print size can make a huge difference when a child does have some vision issues going on. Identical information in different font sizes - child could do it in larger print and not do it in smaller print.

Janet

Elena
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Posted: Sept 06 2010 at 10:49am \| IP Logged

As far as the Pathway Readers go - I have used them for years and absolutely love them. My reading specialist (who wwe startd seeing after an evaluation by a pediatric developmental optometrist) loves them. I use them up to the 3rd grade level and then we switch over to regular reading books and the kids do fine.

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Elena
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