Once a child is reading fluently, what's next?

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  • April 16, 2014 at 1:32 pm
    AFthfulJrney
    Participant

    I’m currently only concentrating on helping my 7 yr old DD read with confidence and fluency. She’s finished AAR 1 and is still struggling, so I’ve decided to just slow it down some and spend as long as it takes just reading to get her to where she needs to be. My plan is to finish out the year and continue into the summer with lots of reading practice using DR and Pathway Reader (both of which were just purchased and I am planning on starting next week). So, my question is, once she becomes a fluent, confident, independent, reader, what’s next, in terms of LA? What do I start to teach? How do I still teach reading…if that makes any sense? Do I start concentrating on what she is retaining while reading? Just thinking ahead so when the time comes I’m already a little prepared!

    We have done nothing else…no spelling, grammar, copywork, etc…this year, and I’m really nervous about covering all my bases when it comes to each and every subject!

    Thanks so much in advance for all the help! I am so grateful to have found this forum!!

    April 16, 2014 at 4:10 pm
    LindseyD
    Participant

    You have several options, which are all fun, in my opinion.

    You can have her start reading selections out loud, working on her elocution and inflection. This could be poetry or a snippet of a chapter from a literature book or even the Pathway readers.

    Or study some poetry and have her memorize and recite a favorite poem.

    You can have her improve on her oral narrations. 

    You can start assigning some independent reading w/ oral narrations. We started this last year, and my children have loved it. Now they are both reading their own literature independently and doing written narrations! 

    You can provide her with a basket of books that you know she would love just so she can develop that love of reading. Or take her to the library and guide her with making good, living book choices. 

    Since she’s 7, it would be a good idea to incorporate some copywork. CM didn’t recommend grammar and spelling until 9-10 years old, so you’re fine there for a while. 

    For most of us CMers, getting our childrent to the point of being confident readers means they’re also to the point of doing more independent work, which is the goal! Every year, my children get more and more independent and are becoming self-learners. There’s no need to continue to “teach” reading if she’s a fluent, confident reader. Add in more challenging books, practice narrations, increase her reading level. Do the other suggestions, and you’ll be just fine. Actually, you’ll be an over-achiever!

    Blessings,

    Lindsey

    April 17, 2014 at 10:46 pm
    mommasmurf
    Participant

    For us, the focus (besides learning to read) is on oral narration and copywork, while they are young.

    If narration is new to the child, I would have her start with literature or poetry you read aloud to her. Then once she’s comfortable with that (which could take months), you can work on narrations from things she reads herself.

    Copywork is a great foundation before spelling and grammar. I like to pick a selection from what I’m getting ready to read aloud. It’s fun to see their eyes light up when they hear what they’ve just spent time copying. And I find it’s best to start small and increase as the child is able – like only one short sentence at first.

    Joy

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