the praise report

If you haven't seen it yet, you must see the film "The Right to Read", produced by Kareem Weaver.  I have seen it three times.  It truly gives a candid look into the state education, particularly in the black and brown communities. As a busy mom of a struggling reader, I know some of these struggles firsthand. They say that more than 40% of our children are now behind three grade levels in math and reading.   

According to the film, teaching children to read is a struggle for all communities but not all communities have the resources to pay for tutoring and extra help for their children. Consequently, we must begin to tutor our own children so they can be successful.  

A few things we moms are often not told.  For the first four years of school children learn to read.  Starting in 4th grade children begin reading to learn.  If they cannot read on grade level by 3rd or 4th grade they will most likely struggle to learn throughout their academic career.  It makes sense then that some would drop out and find other ways to survive.  It also makes sense that the 3rd and 4th grade level reading levels would be used to estimate the number of jail/prison cells that should be built. 

Reading is a foundational skill that we need in order to do just about everything. In my 18 years as a parent, I have learned that teaching our children to read is no longer something we can trust the school system to do. 

A few things I did to help my son who is now two, instead of three grade levels behind in reading:

1.  I purchased an online reading program so he could listen to stories at his leisure. 

2. I read books to him while he ate a snack or colored. (He now reads on his own) 

3. I made sure he could recognize and spell all the Dolce words. (Fry Words work too)

4. I used online sources to make sight word cards for his grade level and quizzed him. (He earned a penny for each one he got right.)

Much success as you form your own reading circle. 

Dr. Phyllis