Dear Lorraine,

Have you had your daughter's reading level assessed by a reading specialist?  This is very important for you to know because she may be frustrated by grade six materials.  The words and the concepts may be too difficult for her right now.


If she's not reading at a grade six level, here are some suggestions for you:

-Have her taught by the school's resource teacher.  This person can work with her individually, or in a small group, teaching her how to unlock the multi-syllable words that she needs to be able to read.

-Secure a tutor for her.  If you have a copy of the reading assessment, let the tutor know exactly what your daughter's skills are, so that the tutor knows what to work on with her.

-Let her read graphic novels.

-Read her textbooks to her.

-Let her read books about movies she's seen.

-Do the 5 Finger Test with her.  Open a book to the middle.  Count 100 words.  Have your daughter start reading.  Each time she doesn't know a word, have her raise her finger.  If she raises more than five fingers, then this book is too hard for her.

-Look at the lower, right-hand corner of tradebooks.  You'll find the letters "RL" or "AL".  Underneath, you'll find an age level.  This is the reading/interest level that the publisher suggests for this book.


If your daughter finds the abstract concepts taught at a grade six level difficult for her, you could do this:

-Turn every abstract, unfamiliar concept into a concrete, familiar concept.  For instance, if she's studying democracy, then talk about how democracy starts in her own home, to help people get along.  Rules are established so that people are safe and learn how to behave.  Gradually, you could move away from her home, to her town/city, to her state, and to her country.  Every concept can be taught this way, from the familiar/concrete to the unfamiliar/abstract.  This is the way that students learn and remember information.  Also, it's the way that they become interested in the topics taught at school.  You daughter's teacher could help you with this.


Your daughter may be able to read and comprehend at a grade six level.  It is very difficult to say, exactly, how many minutes of reading and how many minutes of homework a grade six student should do each day.  Again, you could talk to your daughter's teacher.  What is known for sure, is that the most successful students do consistent reading and daily homework.  By reading and doing homework each day, your daughter is developing the habits of a successful student and these are important to develop as early as possible.

If she's resistant, and she CAN read her materials without frustration, then you could set up a motivation system with her, using points and rewards.

Sylvia HS, M.Ed. Reading Specialist, Author