Talk to me about Year 4 reading (boy)

[newrecruit]

DS1 is in year 4.

His reading has always been good but he's never loved it. Loves being read to at bedtime but struggles to concentrate enough at bedtime to read himself

He is the sort of child that gets hyper the more tired they get and, although I would love him to read in bed to calm himself down, he doesn't manage it.

Over the summer his reading has slipped back to level 13.

He struggles to remember punctuation or expression. .

I feel like we've let things slip with him. We still read to him every night but haven't made him read to us (he refuses). He rarely reads independently.

DS2 is still in infants and flying through the levels - loves to read and just has completely different attitude.

So ....... Can I ask what you do once children get to this level and then just can't be arsed?

Have you had similar issues?

I'm afraid I don't know what 'level 13' is - ours only seem to get told a reading age but I'm guessing that isn't one or you'd be delighted!

I'd guess something he really wants to read is probably the trick, if you can pull it off! Has he tried non-fiction? My year 4 DS isn't that interested in fiction, despite my best efforts, but he loves Horrible Histories / Geographies /Science. Or at bedtime if he's tired, what about something like Asterix which gives you pictorial clues but isn't babyish like a 'picture book'? Or one of those badly-written spin-off books about something he likes (like Minecraft or Star Wars or whatever)? Of Captain Underpants? (That is fiction but the fart and toilet jokes make them irresistible, it seems). My DS does quite like the 'How to train a dragon series' and they are generally popular

They are good suggestions, thanks.

He enjoys Tintin but, again, likes to be read to rather than reading himself.

He likes horrible histories and has some of the books. I might try magazines too.

All the levels go a bit haywire in juniors, I've found.

I think that a book that could helps him, and he would probably enjoy as it seems quite 'grown up' is in the MN Book Reviews, in the "Children's educational books and courses" section.

The Oxford Phonics Spelling Dictionary can be used by children on their own, or with adult support if they wish. It builds on what children this age SHOULD be taught about Phonics, but schools and teachers vary considerable, so some do it better than others. If he sees more about HOW Phonics and Spelling work, he may gain confidence, and hopefully that may lead to increased enjoyment. The Dictionary will take children up to early secondary level, so should last a few years.

The MN review gives a link to see sample pages from the book, and also to purchase if you so wish. As a primary TA for twenty years I consider it one of the most reassuring books for young readers.

DS eats 'diary of a wimpy kid', any minecraft books, Tom Gates books (they are really fab with lots of doodles, and lots of jokes - they are thick books but the writing s big with lots of illustrations) and all the books by David Walliams.

Also fact books, and they don't need to read them front the first page to the last. DS LOVES the books about animals of the Deadly 60 series.

DS was always an able but unwilling reader, which I could never understand as DH and I read avidly and we've got a house full of books. Then, at the very end of year 4/beginning of year 5 it suddenly clicked for him and he started to enjoy reading. He's now doing A level English.

What worked really well for us was that while he was refusing to read himself (despite being perfectly capable) I got him lots and lots of audio books, mostly from the library but also for Christmas/birthday presents. By listening to the books he still got the vocabulary, characterization, plot development, enjoyment etc which he would have got from reading, had he been bothered. At the end of year 3 I borrowed The Silver Sword for a holiday. We got all the way there listening but he wouldn't get out of the car until the story had finished. By that time we'd pitched the tent, unpacked everything and prepared and eaten lunch!

So don't despair - it may well all slot into place over the next year.

I think you have to find what they like.

Dd just isn't interested in reading, but she loves david walliams, and will read his books in one sitting. She also likes non- fiction, biology and science (she's into sport so also into the physiology and how bodies work ). Other than that she doesn't really read.

I do let her play games on the iPad, school recommended a few sites.

I find it odd too as I loved reading, was on chapter books before reception, and read books over and over. How can you not like books!

I hate to say it, but I honestly think some kids just aren't readers.

I was an avid reader, my DSis wasn't. Same parents, same upbringing, same house full of books. She just wasn't interested. It was no reflection on her intelligence, though. She did brilliantly at school and has a degree from Cambridge, but she always saw reading as a chore, and I believe she still does!

I realise that doesn't really answer your question, but maybe the answer is not to push it too much. You can't make him love reading. As long as he is reasonably good at it, maybe you just have to accept that it isn't his thing. :)

I wouldn't over worry. Dd is stage 13 and just started year 4 and on level 4 literacy. Some who are lower stage are on level 4 and some on higher stages are on level 2/3. I'm not sure the reading level equates to their literacy score that much anyway. Someone can be a great reader and not understand the text at all. As long as you are reading to him too I'd not be too concerned. I'm sure most kids have slipped a bit over the holidays.

I agree about audiobooks - once they know a story, it's much less daunting to read the books. My boys love Mr Gum, David Walliams, How to Train your Dragon, and Roald Dahl on cd.

Thank you, that's reassuring.

He is always asking for new audio books to listen to at bedtime so I might stick with that.

I'm really enjoying reading David Walliams to him so maybe I'll stop fretting for the time being

My ds2 is now 9. He won't read art all unless he really likes the book. He refused the reading challenge at the library as he couldn't find anything to read .
He loves, and reads, Mr Gum books, David Walliams and was into the beast quest books until a few months ago.
If you find a type of book he gets into you may find his reading increases and so will his ability

I've managed to pick up a kindle on eBay for £25.

I might just leave it lying around the house and see if he asks to borrow it!

With punctuation...jump on-line and watch Victor Borg's phonetic grammar with your child...it is hilarious...your child will never forget punctuation again! With children it is all about observing...especially the 'when' it is right to snuggle up with a good book. Let your child decide what is a 'good' book and when they would like to read. Good luck.

Thanks vivaden, I will do.