The English language is an extremely difficult language to master. Within our language we have approximately 44 phonemes (sounds) within our words and approximately 70 phonographs (ways to spell these sounds). This can make reading and spelling very difficult to master. Many adults have not mastered decoding (putting printed letters together with the appropriate sound to create words), and yet our children are expected to be able to decode. Schools no longer teach phonics the way they used to. They focus on a whole language approach and guided reading, but as a result many students never learn the rules behind reading and spelling. Some students are able to learn to read despite a lack of phonics instruction, but what about the struggling readers that need that direct instruction? What can be done to help them?
Helping Struggling Readers at School
As a parent or teacher of a struggling reader, there are many things that can be done to improve your student’s reading ability. Many schools have literacy teachers who provide extra assistance to struggling readers. These teachers should provide reading support in ADDITION to what the classroom teacher is providing. In an ideal situation, your child should be receiving guided reading from their classroom teacher daily, as well as additional support from a literacy teacher at least three times a week.
If your child is receiving daily whole language instruction and is still struggling with reading, perhaps it is time to try a new instructional approach. Many struggling readers do well with a phonemically based program. These programs teach students the rules behind reading, taking the confusion out of decoding. Many children do not realize that there are rules explaining how letters and sounds combine to make words. Direct instruction explaining these rules will provide students with the knowledge they need to decode unknown words.
Students will also need to be taught high frequency words (sight words). These words do not follow the rules of the English language and therefore must be memorized. This will be difficult for students who have a poor memory. These students should be taught sight words through a multi-sensory approach. Start by having the students “rainbow write” the words on a piece of paper. They do this by taking a box of crayons and tracing the word in each color. Then have the students spell the word in the air with their arm. Next, have the students trace the words in rice or sand. Every time they write the word, have them say the letters as they spell it and then state the word once they complete their writing.
Have your student read a passage while timing themselves. Once they have finished, have them record their time and reread the passage. Tell them to try and beat their previous time. Rereading a familiar passage will help children to build their fluency.
If alternate strategies have been attempted within the classroom and your student is not making adequate progress, it may be time to consider referring your child for special education services. Talk to your child’s classroom teacher and ask them what alternate strategies they have attempted with your child. There are many different strategies that can be used, and there is not one correct way. Just be certain that the teacher is providing your child with extra support.
Helping Struggling Readers at Home
As a parent of a struggling reader, there are many things you can do to support your child at home.
Purchase magnet letters and a metal cookie tray. Have your child spell words with you on the tray. Ask your child’s teacher for a grade level sight word list or focus on words that are spelled similarly and have your child change the appropriate letter. For example, have your child spell at, and make it hat. They can then take hat and turn it into sat. Once they master this, they can take sat and make it say spat… and so on.
Use Wikki Sticks to have your child create letters and words. You can write the words on an index card and have your child put the Wikki Sticks directly on your writing. Once they have mastered this, remove the model and ask them to create the words on their own.
Have your child write words on a white board. Ask them to write some of their sight words. Next, write some new words on the board and ask them to help you read them.
Write words on index cards and keep them in your car. Whenever you get stuck in traffic with your child you can pull out the cards and practice reading.
Read aloud to your child. Not only will they love spending quality time with you, they will learn from watching you. Once you finish reading, ask them some questions about the story to see what they comprehended. Start with literal questions ( who, what, when and where) and then move onto more inferential questions (why and how).
Let your child reread their favorite books to you, even if they seem too easy. Rereading familiar books is a great way for children to increase their fluency. Encourage them to use expression in their voice.
These are just some suggestions for activities that help struggling readers. I encourage you to read more about different strategies that can be used to help improve your child’s reading ability.
Excellent resources:
That’s a Great Answer by Nancy Boyles
Word Matters: Teaching Phonics and Spelling in the Reading and Writing Classroom by Gay Su Pinnell
Guiding Readers and Writers Grade 3-6 Teaching Comprehension, Gerne, and Content Literacy by Irene C. Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell
Explode the Code by Nancy Hall
