How Can I Motivate a Reluctant Reader?

[Annie Laurie]

My 10 year old doesn't like to read and he's become more resistant the older he gets. All of my kids have been read to a lot, are surrounded by books, see mom and dad read, visit the library and bookstores frequently, etc. They all read a lot, except for him.

 

I've tried all genres, I am a lot looser than I'd like with what I allow him to read because I just want him to read. He reads Garfield comics constantly and sometimes Captain Underpants, and his required school reading. He prefers to read well below his reading level.

 

He doesn't have a problem reading his required reading, so I don't know how a disability could be the issue. But he does have some comprehension issues sometimes. I think he just needs practice and to get into a reading habit. He views it as work and would rather play on the computer or play outside. I do limit electronics.

 

Any advice?

[Jim]

I'm with you on this one. Could it be that everyone else in the family is reading so he's decided to be different?

 

Jim

[Farrar]

Might he enjoy nonfiction more? Maybe something like Horrible Histories or Grossology? Might other comics help him get into reading more? Does he enjoy Calvin and Hobbes? Has he read any graphic novel series like Lunch Lady? I'm assuming you've tried all those typical boy book things - stuff like the Wimpy Kid books, Choose Your Own Adventure Books, etc. Obviously, none of this stuff is high art (well, maybe Calvin and Hobbes comes close...) but gross out boy nonfiction can lead to better nonfiction, cheesy graphic novels can lead to better selections like Tintin. Also, does he enjoy audio books? Do you still read aloud to him? That's another way to help encounter those stories.

 

There are a few "boy book" blogs that I like - One is The Book Zone for Boys and another is Guys Lit Wire. The Excelsior File also does a lot of boy books.

[Rosie_0801]

I agree on trying non-fiction. My brother read nothing but three little books on alternative energy technologies over and over from aged 9-12. He's 24 now and is still interested, though now he reads online articles about it ;)

 

Rosie

[Annie Laurie]

Might he enjoy nonfiction more? Maybe something like Horrible Histories or Grossology? Might other comics help him get into reading more? Does he enjoy Calvin and Hobbes? Has he read any graphic novel series like Lunch Lady? I'm assuming you've tried all those typical boy book things - stuff like the Wimpy Kid books, Choose Your Own Adventure Books, etc. Obviously, none of this stuff is high art (well, maybe Calvin and Hobbes comes close...) but gross out boy nonfiction can lead to better nonfiction, cheesy graphic novels can lead to better selections like Tintin. Also, does he enjoy audio books? Do you still read aloud to him? That's another way to help encounter those stories.

 

There are a few "boy book" blogs that I like - One is The Book Zone for Boys and another is Guys Lit Wire. The Excelsior File also does a lot of boy books.

 

He won't read non-fiction either. We have an awesome home library and it has plenty of kids non-fiction. We do have Calvin and Hobbes and he has read some, I will try to find more because at least the vocab is more advanced. He listens to audiobooks when going to sleep every night. I still read to him, and that is his preference. He has been interested in quite a few books from the WWE lit passages, but always wants me to read them. We got Bunnicula from the library because of WWE, not a hard book, but he wants me to read it and I guarantee it'll just sit there if I leave it to him to read it.

 

Thanks for the links!

[DragonFaerie]

My son is not a big reader either, though he is younger than yours and still struggles a bit. But, I've really been trying to get him to enjoy reading more (same thought that practice will help him get better). One thing I did was to start a policy of "allowing" him to stay up 30 minutes past bedtime in order to read. He can go to bed at 8:30 or he read (in bed) until 9. He loves that. Feels like breaking the rules to him, I imagine. :D

[Annie Laurie]

My son is not a big reader either, though he is younger than yours and still struggles a bit. But, I've really been trying to get him to enjoy reading more (same thought that practice will help him get better). One thing I did was to start a policy of "allowing" him to stay up 30 minutes past bedtime in order to read. He can go to bed at 8:30 or he read (in bed) until 9. He loves that. Feels like breaking the rules to him, I imagine. :D

 

My kid is not normal, he loves bedtime. :001_huh: I've given him a choice before, and he'll choose bed.

[redtexas]

one thought of mine is how hard is it for him to read regarding his eye sight? Have you had his eyes checked. Also, did he learn to read slowly? Many ladies on my local homeschool yahoo group talk about visual tracking and they actually had to see an eye specialist to get a diagnosis on what was going on with their children and they found out that it was physically hard for them to read because of some kind of tracking issue with their eyes and with therapy they were able to help the problem a lot.

[Stacie Leigh]

Depending on his personality, lowering the pressure and taking a break from focusing on reading might help him to enjoy it a little more?

 

I know it's not ideal, but would he read some graphic novels? My son picked up a bunch of historical biographies formatted as comics/graphic novels at the library and liked them.

[wapiti]

Maybe he doesn't have a vision problem, but it may well be worth ruling out. There's more to vision than 20/20 - the eyes must work together, and for some people, it takes a lot of effort to get the eyes focused on the right spot to read. So, they prefer to avoid reading. see, e.g., www.covd.org (to find a developmental optometrist), and http://www.childrensvision.com/reading.htm (My dd had such a problem, completely missed by the pediatric opthamologist, but found and fixed with VT).

[Annie Laurie]

one thought of mine is how hard is it for him to read regarding his eye sight? Have you had his eyes checked. Also, did he learn to read slowly? Many ladies on my local homeschool yahoo group talk about visual tracking and they actually had to see an eye specialist to get a diagnosis on what was going on with their children and they found out that it was physically hard for them to read because of some kind of tracking issue with their eyes and with therapy they were able to help the problem a lot.

 

I am going to take him in to have his eyes checked. He learned to read without a problem and went from starting phonics to reading Seuss books in a couple months, and kept progressing from there. He used to like reading too.

 

Depending on his personality, lowering the pressure and taking a break from focusing on reading might help him to enjoy it a little more?

 

I know it's not ideal, but would he read some graphic novels? My son picked up a bunch of historical biographies formatted as comics/graphic novels at the library and liked them.

 

He's had a break, the new baby came and we got off track and reading wasn't even assigned for months. I think that made it worse, where he really lost the reading habit. I will look for graphic novels.

 

Maybe he doesn't have a vision problem, but it may well be worth ruling out. There's more to vision than 20/20 - the eyes must work together, and for some people, it takes a lot of effort to get the eyes focused on the right spot to read. So, they prefer to avoid reading. see, e.g., www.covd.org (to find a developmental optometrist), and http://www.childrensvision.com/reading.htm (My dd had such a problem, completely missed by the pediatric opthamologist, but found and fixed with VT).

 

Vision Therapy is something I was wondering about. I have mixed feelings but will definitely look into it more.

[Ellie]

Some people just don't like to read.

 

I wouldn't push it.

[Coffeemama]

How about tying finishing a good novel with viewing the film version after? This could work to help your son see how most often the book is MUCH better than the movie...Harry Potter jumps to mind, but there are so many others...

And this would be connecting reading to enjoyment/entertainment vs. work.

Just a thought!

[Haiku]

My dd17 is not a reader. Her reading skills are poor despite four years of a reading tutor and remedial reading classes. I'm baffled by the idea of someone not liking to read ... the rest of us read like crazy (and we are an adoptive family, so genetics isn't necessarily part of it).

 

I used to require dd to read for a certain amount of time a day, but I finally realized that although I could sit her in front of a book, I couldn't actually make her read.

 

With your ds, if he has comprehension problems, I would read with him and then work though narration questions. And beyond that, I would accept that he just doesn't enjoy reading.

 

Tara

[woolybear]

My son is not a big reader either, though he is younger than yours and still struggles a bit. But, I've really been trying to get him to enjoy reading more (same thought that practice will help him get better). One thing I did was to start a policy of "allowing" him to stay up 30 minutes past bedtime in order to read. He can go to bed at 8:30 or he read (in bed) until 9. He loves that. Feels like breaking the rules to him, I imagine. :D

 

:iagree: yup. I had a ds who hated reading, then tolerated it, then liked it. Just the other night I told him to go bed and skip the reading, because it was late. "What?!!!" he said. "Oh, you want to read tonight?" "I LOVE reading" he told me. Never would I have believed that a year ago. However, mostly he only wants to do it at bedtime. I bought him a reading light that clips onto his book. I think he also likes it because it's something he gets to do and his younger brother does not.

[gracyomalley]

Sounds VERY much like a reading/Language based learning difficulty - any kid who loves books (and if he listens to audiobooks and wants you to read to him often, then he loves literature), but resists reading these things themselves, plus prefers reading "easy" stuff, likely is working VERY HARD when he reads, so its no fun.....now I'd speak differently if he didn't like books...

 

Your child may be an auditory learner, as well. Many kids with language based differences/mild dyslexia will do wel lwith early reading, especially with sight word stuff like Dr Suess, and may stay "at grade level" on testing, but after about 3rd grade level will struggle to progress...even if their auditory skills are much higher (ie liking audiobooks/WTM suggestions). Could be a vision thing too. In any case, I would look into it a bit, and then encourage assigned reading, whatever for fun, and if he's auditory, allow that style. Sometimes these kids/adults are able to compensate but often never are the voracious readers their interests would lead us to expect.

 

I still have to tell my 11 year old to read signs - he just doesn't do it naturally. He reads at grade level, comprehends much higher, loves literature/audiobooks at high school level, and read alouds, but reading is not natural for him. For his sister and I the words just speak - for him he still has to de-code. After years of tutoring! But we can't so some things he can!!!

Erin

[ProudGrandma]

One thing I have tried with my reluctant reader(ds 9) is I find a book that I know is his level, read it to him until I come to an very exciting part and then I stop. (depending on the book, I might do this over a couple days...a chapter or two at a time)...but then I tell him, if he wants to find out what happens next, he has to read it to himself and report back to me. Sometimes it works, other times not. My son loves reading the Magic Tree house books too. I know they aren't the best, but they are better than graphic novels in my opinion. I also have caught hime reading some of the simplier versions of the classic books...we just read Wizard of Oz outloud and so shortly later, he read the easier version of that. Just a few thoughts for you.

[Shawneinfl]

I would have him checked for a visual processing disorder. This sounds exactly like my son, who had 20/20 vision. After therapy he is much more likely to pick up a book on his own and actually looks forward to our library trips.

[woolybear]

Just want to add--my son was checked for visual processing disorder. There were those (particularly grandma:glare:) who thought he must have some kind of problem. He also loved books--being read aloud to, audio books, etc. However, reading didn't really click for him till age 10ish. He actually started reading by age 9, but still struggled with it and didn't enjoy it. It was not until this year that he really got and now loves it. He can read pretty much anything and reads very well. He will be 11 very soon. Just saying there's another possibility. Some kids just take longer to get it.

[BabyBre]

Ds8 is fairly reluctant as well. I finally bribed him last night with a cap gun he's had his eye on if he would just finish his book. This morning, he's got three chapters to go! While I don't think it's probably the best way to motivate a child to read, I'm not above a bribe. The problem, of course, is that dd who loves to read anyway is now looking for a bribe. :/

 

What worked for us during the school year was time set aside in our very busy schedule for reading. We're beforeschoolers, so it was hard to find even 15 minutes each morning but "time to read" became just like "time for math". He's even more reluctant at bedtime, so that was the only way he got his required reading done.

[ElizabethB]

I would give some diagnostic tests and work with him until he can read at the 12th grade level--it makes easy reading that much easier.

 

http://www.thephonicspage.org/On%20Reading/readinggradeleve.html

 

Give him the NRRF reading grade level test, just part II (the stories numbered 1 to 6.) If he misses less than 2 words on all of those, do the tests at the bottom of my reading grade level page.

 

Also, give the New Elizabethian test, just one version, use the other as a post test.

 

And, give the MWIA Level II test, just the Phonetic and Holistic pages, time each page. Make 2 copies, marking any words missed on your copy.

 

My how to tutor page is what I do with my remedial students along with my online phonics lessons. I work with them until they are reading at the 12th grade level unless I move.

[jenn&charles]

My 10 year old doesn't like to read and he's become more resistant the older he gets. All of my kids have been read to a lot, are surrounded by books, see mom and dad read, visit the library and bookstores frequently, etc. They all read a lot, except for him.

 

I've tried all genres, I am a lot looser than I'd like with what I allow him to read because I just want him to read. He reads Garfield comics constantly and sometimes Captain Underpants, and his required school reading. He prefers to read well below his reading level.

 

He doesn't have a problem reading his required reading, so I don't know how a disability could be the issue. But he does have some comprehension issues sometimes. I think he just needs practice and to get into a reading habit. He views it as work and would rather play on the computer or play outside. I do limit electronics.

 

Any advice?

 

My 13 yr. old is also a reluctant reader. He still likes reading things like Berenstain Bear books instead of chapter books (I guess no one has told him it's not cool for 13 year olds to read that, lol).

However, he's been slowly warming up over a period of several years. I've just been very patient and made sure I had lots of "easy" things to read in our home library. I also am flexible in our schedule. When he gets on a book kick, I let other subjects slide a little because being a good reader is so important!

When he was 10 he really liked the Captain Underpants books and Garfield as well as Richard Scarry, Berenstain Bears and lots of easy picture books like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

Over the years I've bought series of books that he likes: lots of graphic novel type history books, books by Mike Venezia (lots of pictures, non-fiction and some humor), 24 by 7 science series, comics, etc.

I've also had him work on his reading comprehension through workbooks like the Reading Detective and a series I got for free from a library book sale called "Reading for Concepts". We also used the Barton Reading program for awhile because he had a lot of dyslexia like problems (it did help).

He now will actually pick up a chapter book and stay with it, but he's still really picky. He much prefers NON-fiction and still prefers books that are way below his age level. It's just the way he is.

I read a lot out loud to him every day and then I schedule in "free reading time" where he HAS to sit and read. He's free to read anything he likes during that time, but it's something that is just part of our day.

I also pick out chapter books for him that I know he'll like - things about animals or survival, a scientist, etc. I look for non-fiction books containing subjects he's interested in. If it's a science book, he'll usually sit and read it. I think one of the reasons he doesn't like chapter books is because he is so literal and doesn't make connections as easily. If he can't identify with or understand the character or the experiences he loses interest really quickly. Most of the fiction he is exposed to is through read-alouds. He may LOVE a story I read, but if he has to read it, he hates it. Some of that is also because it gets into his brain easier via auditory paths vs. visual.

We're making progress. It's just helped me to be patient and keep on exposing him to lots of different genres as well as working on his comprehension skills.

I also let him read things over and over and over, as that's helped to build his fluency.

Hang in there, you may find that your son is just a bit behind the curve but may become more interested in time, especially after you establish it's just something to be done every day and find something that he is able to connect with more.

[ereks mom]

My 10 year old doesn't like to read and he's become more resistant the older he gets. All of my kids have been read to a lot, are surrounded by books, see mom and dad read, visit the library and bookstores frequently, etc. They all read a lot, except for him.

 

I've tried all genres, I am a lot looser than I'd like with what I allow him to read because I just want him to read. He reads Garfield comics constantly and sometimes Captain Underpants, and his required school reading. He prefers to read well below his reading level.

 

He doesn't have a problem reading his required reading, so I don't know how a disability could be the issue. But he does have some comprehension issues sometimes. I think he just needs practice and to get into a reading habit. He views it as work and would rather play on the computer or play outside. I do limit electronics.

 

Any advice?

 

:bigear: I'm having the same kinds of issues with my rising 7th grader, and I'm open to suggestions too. My job would be MUCH easier if this were my own child, but instead, she is the child of a friend, and I only have her 5 hours per day, 4 days per week , August through May. She reads at least a full grade level below where she should be, and a lot of the reason for that is that she doesn't like to read, so she doesn't. Her parents work during the day, so when she's not in school, she stays home alone, where she listens to music, plays on the computer, texts her friends, talks on the phone, etc.--but she does almost NO reading all day. She constantly complains that she is bored, but she is very resistant to any of my suggestions that she read to alleviate boredom. In fact, the more I suggest it, the more resistant she becomes.

 

Here are some things I am trying or at least considering (but I'm still open to suggestions):

 

1. I gave her a summer reading assignment. She is required to read 10 books while we are out of school for the summer; I specified 6 books, and then gave her a list of books to choose from for the remaining 4. Many of the books I suggested are well below her grade level, but probably right on her reading level. (It's SO hard to find materials on her reading level that actually match her interest level!) She will grumble about the reading, her mom says, but insists that she will get it done. We'll see: so far, she has finished only 2 books, and we've been out of school for 5 weeks, with 7 more weeks to go. I feel that by now, she should have read at least 4 books. <sigh> She has been very obstinate with me about the reading, and then she asked me what happens if she doesn't finish the assigned books. I told her, "You'll get zeroes." Grades are a big motivator for her, although I don't usually give grades in anything except math and spelling until 8th or 9th grade.

 

2. For the upcoming school year, we are going to have 20-30 minutes per day of DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) or USSR (Uninterrupted Sustained Silent Reading). With this technique, EVERYONE, including the teacher and all the students, sets aside all work for a designated period of time and does nothing but read silently to themselves. This is not academic reading, but pleasure reading, and she will get to choose the books she reads (approved by me, of course). I will also assign her a certain amount of reading to do on her own at home. The mom is REALLY good about making sure her daughter does the assignments I send home, so I fully expect that she will get it done.

 

3. I am giving serious consideration to revamping her curriculum for the upcoming year so that almost everything she does is geared toward improving her reading skills. I've found some great-looking materials at Rainbow Resource that combine social studies and reading comprehension, and I'm looking for something that does the same with science. I feel compelled to help her raise her reading skills before high school two years from now.

[HeidiKC]

AUDIOBOOKS! Especially the first in an exciting (and hopefully LONG) series, such as "Series of Unfortunate Events". This worked great with my son. He wasn't a reluctant reader, but wanted to read only stuff like "Hardy Boys" all day long. So I'd get him interested in a series with the audibooks.

 

Also, even if you can never convince him that there is better stuff to read than the Underpants dude, at least he is listening to great literature and hearing beautiful writing (which will help him become a better writer). I this also helps even out the "reading diet" with more healthy, not so much junk...even if he isn't actually reading but just listening. After a while he will realize there are some REALLY GOOD books out there! Be sure and pick some good ones. The Percy Jackson series might be good, too. I'd require him to listen to one CD each day (maybe in bed?).

 

Another thing I do: over the summer I require my dc to read books at their reading levels or even certain books (so I sometimes give them lists). I check kansas.bookconnection.com to find reading levels and number of points each book is worth. For every 5 points they earn $1 to spend at our school's book fair in the fall. So I expect they'll earn $15-35, and I'm glad to contribute that to our book fair. You could do something similar - some sort of reward for a certain amount of points, or money to spend at book store, etc. Key is it can't be cr@p books!

[Annie Laurie]

Some people just don't like to read.

 

I wouldn't push it.

 

I noticed the other day, when I was suggesting some books, that he would say "I hate that book!" or "I think that book is boring." and then look at me out of the corner of his eye to see my reaction. Reading has always been such a huge part of my life that I think I'm too emotional about it, and he senses that and it's become a power trip. So I'm working on leaving him alone about it and not reacting. He will still have to read for school, but once I am sure his reading level is fine and there are no disabilities, (which I don't think there is a problem on either count) I'll have to relax about his lack of free reading.

 

 

 

 

With your ds, if he has comprehension problems, I would read with him and then work though narration questions. And beyond that, I would accept that he just doesn't enjoy reading.

 

Tara

 

That's what we do for his school readers when he gets stumped.

 

Sounds VERY much like a reading/Language based learning difficulty - any kid who loves books (and if he listens to audiobooks and wants you to read to him often, then he loves literature), but resists reading these things themselves, plus prefers reading "easy" stuff, likely is working VERY HARD when he reads, so its no fun.....now I'd speak differently if he didn't like books...

 

Your child may be an auditory learner, as well. Many kids with language based differences/mild dyslexia will do wel lwith early reading, especially with sight word stuff like Dr Suess, and may stay "at grade level" on testing, but after about 3rd grade level will struggle to progress...even if their auditory skills are much higher (ie liking audiobooks/WTM suggestions). Could be a vision thing too. In any case, I would look into it a bit, and then encourage assigned reading, whatever for fun, and if he's auditory, allow that style. Sometimes these kids/adults are able to compensate but often never are the voracious readers their interests would lead us to expect.

 

I still have to tell my 11 year old to read signs - he just doesn't do it naturally. He reads at grade level, comprehends much higher, loves literature/audiobooks at high school level, and read alouds, but reading is not natural for him. For his sister and I the words just speak - for him he still has to de-code. After years of tutoring! But we can't so some things he can!!!

Erin

 

I will look into it, but he's always scored high on reading tests and reads chapter books fine really. When I say comprehension, I think he is just a very concrete thinker and he misses inferences.

 

I would have him checked for a visual processing disorder. This sounds exactly like my son, who had 20/20 vision. After therapy he is much more likely to pick up a book on his own and actually looks forward to our library trips.

 

I'm planning on looking into that.

 

Just saying there's another possibility. Some kids just take longer to get it.

 

Yes, I'm hoping he'll suddenly like reading when he gets older.

 

Ds8 is fairly reluctant as well. I finally bribed him last night with a cap gun he's had his eye on if he would just finish his book. This morning, he's got three chapters to go! While I don't think it's probably the best way to motivate a child to read, I'm not above a bribe. The problem, of course, is that dd who loves to read anyway is now looking for a bribe. :/

 

What worked for us during the school year was time set aside in our very busy schedule for reading.

 

I'm not above bribes either, and our summer reading program has circus tickets as the reward, but he won't even read for that. He did last summer though. The more I think about it, the more I think he can tell he has some power over me with this. Things have been very hard with a high-needs baby around now, who takes a lot of my time and attention, and my kids have not complained or acted out at all. But this may very well be his way of getting my attention.

 

I think you're right on about making time for it and making it a habit and I shouldn't have dropped the ball when the baby came. I'm going to try to make a fun reading time for all of us and bake something to eat while we read.

 

I would give some diagnostic tests and work with him until he can read at the 12th grade level--it makes easy reading that much easier.

 

http://www.thephonicspage.org/On%20Reading/readinggradeleve.html

 

Give him the NRRF reading grade level test, just part II (the stories numbered 1 to 6.) If he misses less than 2 words on all of those, do the tests at the bottom of my reading grade level page.

 

Also, give the New Elizabethian test, just one version, use the other as a post test.

 

And, give the MWIA Level II test, just the Phonetic and Holistic pages, time each page. Make 2 copies, marking any words missed on your copy.

 

My how to tutor page is what I do with my remedial students along with my online phonics lessons. I work with them until they are reading at the 12th grade level unless I move.

 

Thank you, I've used your tests before and he scored well above grade level at the time, not 12th grade, but it's been awhile, so I'll see where he's at now and see if we can't work on it some more.

 

My 13 yr. old is also a reluctant reader. He still likes reading things like Berenstain Bear books instead of chapter books (I guess no one has told him it's not cool for 13 year olds to read that, lol).

However, he's been slowly warming up over a period of several years. I've just been very patient and made sure I had lots of "easy" things to read in our home library. I also am flexible in our schedule. When he gets on a book kick, I let other subjects slide a little because being a good reader is so important!

When he was 10 he really liked the Captain Underpants books and Garfield as well as Richard Scarry, Berenstain Bears and lots of easy picture books like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

Over the years I've bought series of books that he likes: lots of graphic novel type history books, books by Mike Venezia (lots of pictures, non-fiction and some humor), 24 by 7 science series, comics, etc.

I've also had him work on his reading comprehension through workbooks like the Reading Detective and a series I got for free from a library book sale called "Reading for Concepts". We also used the Barton Reading program for awhile because he had a lot of dyslexia like problems (it did help).

He now will actually pick up a chapter book and stay with it, but he's still really picky. He much prefers NON-fiction and still prefers books that are way below his age level. It's just the way he is.

I read a lot out loud to him every day and then I schedule in "free reading time" where he HAS to sit and read. He's free to read anything he likes during that time, but it's something that is just part of our day.

I also pick out chapter books for him that I know he'll like - things about animals or survival, a scientist, etc. I look for non-fiction books containing subjects he's interested in. If it's a science book, he'll usually sit and read it. I think one of the reasons he doesn't like chapter books is because he is so literal and doesn't make connections as easily. If he can't identify with or understand the character or the experiences he loses interest really quickly. Most of the fiction he is exposed to is through read-alouds. He may LOVE a story I read, but if he has to read it, he hates it. Some of that is also because it gets into his brain easier via auditory paths vs. visual.

We're making progress. It's just helped me to be patient and keep on exposing him to lots of different genres as well as working on his comprehension skills.

I also let him read things over and over and over, as that's helped to build his fluency.

Hang in there, you may find that your son is just a bit behind the curve but may become more interested in time, especially after you establish it's just something to be done every day and find something that he is able to connect with more.

 

Jenn, thank you, this post was great! My son didn't get the memo that he's not supposed to like Berenstain Bear books and the like either. ;)

 

2. For the upcoming school year, we are going to have 20-30 minutes per day of DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) or USSR (Uninterrupted Sustained Silent Reading). With this technique, EVERYONE, including the teacher and all the students, sets aside all work for a designated period of time and does nothing but read silently to themselves. This is not academic reading, but pleasure reading, and she will get to choose the books she reads (approved by me, of course).

 

We'll definitely be doing this.

 

AUDIOBOOKS! Especially the first in an exciting (and hopefully LONG) series, such as "Series of Unfortunate Events". This worked great with my son. He wasn't a reluctant reader, but wanted to read only stuff like "Hardy Boys" all day long. So I'd get him interested in a series with the audibooks.

 

 

 

Good idea! He listens to audiobooks, but he becomes attached to certain ones and listens over and over. I'll try to find a series to get him interested in.