Help, with 7 th grader's reading level

Time, patience w/ encouragement, and practice. 

My older sons are not strong readers.  One due to LD’s but the other due to learning to be lazy in 2nd at the ps (also being told he’s “behind,” which was so not true) and then not doing a lot of it here at home.  They do see me read ALLLL the time, though, but dh does not.  Anyway.

2nd ds went to the ps again in 7th, learned nothing and read garbage.  He was home after that and I wanted to prepare him for HS and what I wanted to do.  So, I had him read quite a bit.  I think that’s about the same point you’re facing.  I didn’t worry about it being “below” “grade level” as much as it being good literature.  I wish I had added in a book or two at times that was a bit of a challenge, but that’s OK.  I noticed much improvement w/ him.  He’s also picked up a couple of books recently that even I was challenged by.  He’s reading that for his choice time now – about 1.5 yrs later.  I’m not saying all his choices are that way, but it shows great improvement on his part.  Maturity is also a help. 

So, find some things of interest, have him help pick topics out, or even pick the books themselves.  Start w/ books in the 4-6th gr range, some 4th and some 6th.  Find one or two in the 7-9th range (closer to 7th) that would be topics of highest interest and have him pick just one.  Then, let him read a few more in the 4-6 range.  Basically, your having him slowly work toward the goal but the focus is on reading and learning.  You don’t want to push too far too fast and kill any interest.  Of course, depending on the dc, you might have to “help” him along the path.     It’s a balancing act.  Take it one step at a time.

HTH
K