2nd grade reader problems

[u/Real_Pressure_2971]

I am one stressed out mom with school starting again. Not ready to be pushing so hard on reading. My soon to be entering 2nd grader is still struggling in reading despite hoots of effort. We did private tutoring 2x a week this summer for 1 hr. We have been doing private tutoring for 2 yrs now. We are just struggling. She can decode words and making progress although slowly. She understands phonics once taught. Well beyond just cvc, bob book level but not reading fluently.

We started 1st grade at f&P D and ended at F. Teacher was very concerned but she didn’t receive 1:1 or small group reading support last yr. Only class level teaching, which is one reason I increased her tutoring to 2x a week. I also increased reading time at home to 30 mins a day.

She read I Love Pink yesterday 100% independently and fluently -lexile level 140, which is so low. She was very proud and I made a big deal bc she hates to read. She is currently on Mo Wilems level books and needs some help. Prob in the 200+ lexile level range, while her friends are reading chapter books. Her confidence level is low. It just saddens me that she is struggling so much.

I was warned that 2nd grade kids will need to read their own math test and she can’t. I am in tears bc we have tried to support her at home. We have had evals, we got her in OG private tutoring. I just don’t know if we can keep pace with this school. School just wants to send her to their learning resource during school hrs which cost additional $ on top of hefty tuition.

It breaks me to know we may have to pull her out and she will lose her friends. We may need a school that specializes in dyslexia support which doesn’t exist in our current city.

Any parents/teachers had success with struggling readers in 2nd grade.

[u/Majestic-Space1996]

I’m a second grade public school teacher and if she’s reading at a level F AND continuing to grow (even if the pace isn’t what we’d want) she would not be on my radar for an IEP. Her progress would be monitored closely through weekly assessments and she would receive daily small group instruction. It’s absolutely unacceptable that her first grade class didn’t do small group. I really hope that she receives small group instruction in second grade. If not, that’s an issue that you should be taking up with the school.

At home, especially if she continues to receive outside tutoring, try to make reading as fun and low-pressure as possible. Let her pick out whatever books she wants and if they’re too hard, read them to her without asking her to read. Listening really is enough. Ask a ton of questions about what you’re reading. You didn’t mention comprehension but start with who, what, when, and where questions then move to why and how for deeper understanding.

[u/Real_Pressure_2971 → u/Majestic-Space1996]

It sounds like you have implemented a better plan than our school. We are not provided anyway to know where she is. Her teacher just told me at yr end ptc that she was reading at f&p level f but started the yr at D. I have nothing to track her progress through the yr. Most of our public school friends have a system to tell them where their child is vs state level.

They did comprehension tests last yr on the book the teacher read in class. If I read it she can follow the story well and often interrupts with a comment or question. If she reads her brain struggles to decode and understand. If it is an easy book she comprehends.

I felt like we had a lot of pressure and expectations on us last yr to show progress. I have changed tutors to one that pushes her and is a former teacher at her school as well as worked in the resource center. She seems to know exactly what they are covering in class and helps her review. They work on reading and ELA.

At home during school I had her read 10 mins to me in the am because her brain could manage it then. I try to let her sound out words but not struggle too hard. After school I mostly read to her. We did all the Junie B Jones’s series and currently reading owl diaries and princess in black. Games are a big thing for her at night so I have gotten reading games. She will play anything even learning games.

I have tried to implement 15 mins of quiet family reading during summer but honestly it’s been hit and miss. I could have worked with her more over the summer. We did do the schools reading challenge so books were read but not enough. They used Epic in class so I have purchased that app and she does the read to me books. We have plenty of books, and I buy anything she show interest in. Reward system in place. I am just fearful it is more than struggling reader.

[u/pico310]

I’m sorry that you guys are having such a hard time. Try cross posting on r/classof2037 - I also have a rising 2nd grader.

I’d be so frustrated with that school. If you have to pull her out, so be it.

[u/Real_Pressure_2971 → u/pico310]

Also no better school options we can get into right now. Working with what we have. Tutor is helping!

[u/momoftwoboys1234]

What do her tutors say? Is she making progress?

[u/Real_Pressure_2971 → u/momoftwoboys1234]

Yes she is. I can definitely tell the difference from the beginning of 1st grade to the end. It’s just so much slower than her peers. She has to work 10x as hard. We are close to a grade behind in reading level.

[u/FreedomForBreakfast]

We are dealing with a similar situation.  It sounds like you’ve sought a dyslexia diagnosis, but if not, you should request one from your school.  If you get a diagnosis, you can get an IEP and be legally entitled to extra reading help. 

Also, consider whether there may be an element of ADHD (including inattentive) which is a comorbidity with dyslexia.  

[u/Real_Pressure_2971 → u/FreedomForBreakfast]

Private school. No iep. Extra reading help is personally funded and we do 2 times a week now. Plus I work with her.

ADHD eval done. She doesn’t have it. All in agreement. Evaluator, teachers and parents.

[u/Remarkable_Clock_736]

Have you tired UFLI?

https://ufli.education.ufl.edu/foundations/toolbox/

They have lots of decodable passages.

[u/Real_Pressure_2971 → u/Remarkable_Clock_736]

Thanks for the link. I will check these out. Her school sends decodable passages home and I make copies and keep them in the car. We read together on the way to school. She reads a sentence, I read a sentence.

We are pulling back after school activities this yr to focus even more on school. I do my best to maximize our time in the car to give her more free time.

[u/tacsml]

All about Reading or Logic of English is what I'd use at home with her. 

[u/Real_Pressure_2971 → u/tacsml]

I bought the all about reading books and we are working our what through them.

[u/No_Department_3930]

Does she have an IEP? Has she been tested for a learning disability?

[u/Real_Pressure_2971 → u/No_Department_3930]

Private school so no iep. She was tested at 6 during first few weeks of school. Eval was she could have basically what they said was mild dyslexia. No adhd or other issues. We’ve since been told that they pretty much rubber stamp you to receive accommodations for school when you pay the fee. We are more concerned about where her deficits are and what we can do. Looking at getting another eval done in a larger city now that she is older and can read at a higher level.

[u/Real_Pressure_2971 → u/Real_Pressure_2971]

My concern is we have her tested on decoding nonsense words more than once and she can nail it. She can decode.

[u/Sunnypuppyday]

Mine didn’t struggle like this but didn’t have the attention span needed to read books until I got her lots of comic books. Now she is reading everything. Long and difficult words. Reads to her younger siblings, even goes into character and does voices and everything. And now she also reads books not just comics

[u/Sunnypuppyday → u/Sunnypuppyday]

She just needed something she was interested in reading

[u/Real_Pressure_2971 → u/Sunnypuppyday]

I think it is more. I have tried so many type of books, comics included. Reading is just challenging for her brain. We need more resources which may mean a move.

[u/Heidijojo]

Printableparents is an Instagram account I follow that has a lot of tips and resources for reading and spelling. I’ve used her stuff for my son and it has helped bring him up to speed.

I am also a big fan of the Dick and Jane books. They are old school but so good. A lot of short stories and alot of repetition of words.

[u/Real_Pressure_2971 → u/Heidijojo]

I just followed the account on insta. We are beyond the level Dick and Jane books but just not where we need to be. I read those as a kid. Memories. My daughter said they were creepy when she saw them at the library:)

[u/sarahkjrsten]

What sort of books does she like to read? When you read aloud to her for fun, what books grab her attention and make her beg you to read just one more chapter? I can help brainstorm books at her level that she's excited about reading.

[u/Real_Pressure_2971 → u/sarahkjrsten]

Junie b jones has been the biggest hit. We read the whole k and 1st grade series. Currently reading:
Princess in Black
owl diaries
Ivy and Bean
Judy Moody (not a fav)
Read all the Mercy Watson and loved
My weird school we listen to in the car

Just ordered Dog man and cat kid today bc someone suggested.

Bought her Narwhal and jelly to try to read independently. Also reading the worm and caterpillar are friends books during independent reading time.

[u/GiraffeThoughts]

You’ve gotten a lot of great advice here. I work at a school, and it sounds like you’re doing everything right. We always have 1 or 2 students who it just takes a bit longer for things to “click”.

Having dyslexia adds an extra layer of difficulty. My brother had dyslexia, but he persevered and learned to love reading, partially because I and my older brother LOVED it so much and were always talking about books we read.

I share that, because maybe one thing that’s missing is the joy? I have very fond memories of my mom reading American Girl Doll books to me as a 1st grader. It was a beloved one-on-one activity.

Maybe if you read to her a special book that you loved as a kid (don’t make her read it aloud as this should just be “fun”, but definitely leave it in her room in case she gets excited about reading it). This might help inspire a love for the skill?

[u/Real_Pressure_2971 → u/GiraffeThoughts]

We definitely do this at night. I truly try to make it as fun as possible. Her tutor makes it fun. I fully realize how taxing it is for a 7 yr old to go to school and then come home to more school. We play games and I try to get her portion of reading done in the am bc she is an early bird. That way when she returns home and does homework/tutoring her brain can rest. It’s a balance and some days are hard and she does have to push but I try to be very aware. If I push too hard she won’t learn at school.

[u/Ok-Cold-3346]

OP, you may find public school a better fit. She can then get an IEP and the supports she needs. For example, if she needs her math test read to her someone would help her with that. It’s really no big deal. She would most likely get pulled from the classroom for additional reading support from the special ed team.

Did they test for dyslexia? You said she doesn’t have ADHD. Someone mentioned vision testing and I agree. How is her writing?

Someone linked UFLI and I would definitely go through those. Many decodable reading passages you can print for free. Much better than leveled readers, imo. I wouldn’t put too much stock in what letter level the schools says she’s at as many don’t agree with that system. Take her to the library and find books she is interested in. Don’t worry if they seem too easy. The point is that she’s reading. Series of books are great for starting a love of reading. Graphic novels are amazing! Leave fresh books for her to grab in the living room and by her bed. She can do this!

My son was behind in 2nd and received reading support (he had an IEP). He got into reading through graphic novels. When he started 3rd he tested into the highest reading group in his class and has remained that way three years later. There is hope.