Well, I gained more understanding of the reading problem today. DS told me he doesn't like to read because he can't read the books that interest him "like science, novels, adventure stories and myteries.". That gives me some more guidance. He seems to be enjoying reading blaster on the computer, so I hope that the combo of that and EPGY (where he only has to read a few sentences at the most per screen), with possibly renewed attempts at the Wilson method with his tutor will move him in the right direction. He is no longer objecting to writing, so I hope more advanced reading is to follow. Thanks for the comments, everyone.

Have you tried the easy reader type science books? We have some about various polar animals that we got through scholastic on about level 3. Also, what about Magic School Bus science books? They have easier ones and chapter books for that series. And mysteries could be Cam Jansen or Hank the Cow Dog?? I'm all for going with whatever they are interested in for reading. My DS loves Hardy Boys right now but he went through a period where he would read nothing but Goosebumps. Maybe if you can find a series he likes it will inspire him. I'm so glad he's no longer objecting to writing - maybe that will come for my DS one of these days!!

Can't read them because the vocab is too hard? or something else?

I really like the real science for kids books, they might do the trick. It's meant for 4th-6th grade and DD7 is loving it. It does have complex material, just explained for kids, has pictures to break up the text, I've been really impressed.

Here's the link to the publisher:

http://www.gravitaspublications.com/index.html

Incog

It's weird - if I read it to him, he understands the vocabulary, but if he has to sound out words he doesn't recognize, he doesn't understand what he reads. It's like he's so caught up with the details of sounding out the words that he forgets what they mean. Literally can't see the forest for the trees. However, I noticed that he doesn't have that problem on easy books, so maybe we'll keep reading easy books and ratchet it up a notch book by book. (And EandCmom, the problem with the level 3 science books for him is that he is so "well-read" - at least well-read to - that the scholastic science books are too simple for him in terms of content. But I think you're right, I need to find something that peaks his interest so that he'll at least try to read it. Maybe we'll try Goosebumps.)

Have you tried having him scan the page for words he doesn't know first and sound them out/look them up before he reads anything? Then he could read more seamlessly. This sort of pre-reading is something I recommended for my college students, so it's a useful skill for anyone to learn.

If he has trouble remembering the words, he could even mark them on the page (if you write in books at your house) or write the words down on a separate sheet of paper.

Maybe helpful, I hope?

Another thought: have you looked books up on this site?

http://www.lexile.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?view=ed&tabindex=6&tabid=18#1

Find-a-book here: http://www.lexile.com/findabook/StudentInfo.aspx

I don't know if I'm ahead or behind the curve on Lexiles as a measure of how challenging a book is to read, so I won't explain it here. If you don't know what the heck they are, let me know and I'll be happy to explain. But it might help you find some books that are both interesting and not too challenging.

K-

I love the lexile database and use it all the time. Another chart that is helpful to look at when thinking about lexiles is this one on the scholastic website. It converts lexile numbers to DRA's and grade levels (and scholastic letter levels - which is what DS's classroom uses)

http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/classroombooks/browse_level.asp

My DS got the reading fluency by playing Gameboy games that required reading, such a Pokemon, and Monster Ranchers. There are a few on the YSP list who always come forward that their sons learned this way.

It makes sense to me that as a child's working memory is occupied with sounding the word out, comprehension will drop - what doesn't drop is the urge to get information at their readiness level - so it can be a tough transition. Think of a child learning to type (ahaaa, a sweet thought) - there will be a tricky time where they need to practice, but won't really be able to do much with the skill, yet....

It may help to let your son know that reading will get more useful, and that practice is required, but the end is worth it.

Smiles,
Grinity

Thank you. All of this is helpful. Probably the Gameboy hint is the most useful for me. I need to find something fun that involves reading in manageable little bites. I've been using EPGY to some success for that (but it doesn't qualify as fun). I've tried comics and graphic novels, but he has no interest. So we'll keep plugging along. I like the idea of sounding out the troublesome words before actually reading the page, and will try that, too. And keep looking for easier books that are interesting to DS.

And somehow get him to actually read something in book form every night. Maybe by choosing books that are easier than his level to start out and build confidence.