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Message |
    
calypso
Citizen
Username: Calypso
Post Number: 22
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 8:59 pm: | 
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I have a six year old daughter who is starting first grade in the Fall. She's done fine in kindergarten, but is anxious about being up to speed for first grade (she can't read yet). Does anyone know of a good tutor or tutoring place we could use over the summer to do some intensive one-on-one work? |
CageyD
Citizen
Username: Cageyd
Post Number: 697
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 11:51 pm: |
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Call Joanne Farrel at Marshall, We've used her and she is very good |
ReallyTrying
Citizen
Username: Reallytrying
Post Number: 731
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 1:32 pm: |
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Isn't first grade where they learn to read?
My son started first grade with absolutely no interest in learning to read - couldn't be less interested. His first grade teacher, Mrs. Murphy at Tuscan, was fabulous, and a month after starting school, he was reading everything he could get his hands on. Today, he's in the top 8% of his class at Columbia.
I don't know your child, and all children are different, but I have to wonder: what's the rush? The thought of a little girl spending the summer in "some intensive one-on-one work" is really depressing. Send her out to play. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8038
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 1:39 pm: |
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When I was tutoring JR. High kids in reading, one of the teachers gave me a great hint. She said that it helped kids learn and increased their interest if they saw a movie and then read the book. Knowing what's going to happen decreases the anxiety about not knowing the words, I think. I noticed a big difference in my kid after his parents took him to see Harry Potter.
I don't suppose it could hurt to try it with younger kids. I'll leave it to the parents to suggest age-appropriate books made into movies and vice-versa. |
red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 5806
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 2:07 pm: |
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calypso my son is the same age and he was having a hard time. I got flash cards at Target and we started practicing every night together. He has improved greatly since we started. |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 1005
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 2:09 pm: |
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Thanks red, I am also in the same position as calypso... maybe i'm expecting too much, but I would like to improve my daughters confidence level with reading for when she goes into first grade. I will hit Target and see if I can get them. Which store did you get them in?
SOP |
red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 5807
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 2:47 pm: |
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Oh, pressure  I don't remember! They are in the toy aisle is all I do remember. They also have them at Drug Fair. |
Sarah McNamara
Citizen
Username: Smcnamara
Post Number: 133
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 5:14 pm: |
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I can't help but agree with ReallyTrying. 1st grade is where kids are taught to read, very successfully, if they are ready to learn.
Before you invest in costly tutors and potentially frustrating flash card sessions on nice summer days, you might want to have a chat with your child's kindergarten teacher to determine if he or she is hitting the "reading readiness" milestones. Each child in the district is evaluated at the end of the year for these milestones.
Both of my children started first grade reading not much more than their own names, and left 1st grade reading chapter books. It is a year of tremendous growth. It's easy to be concerned when some in kindergaten are already reading (my older son's best friend was reading before K, so I understand the pressure!), but if your teacher feels they are where they need to be in pre-reading skills, they will most likely do just fine. Reading to them every day will most likely be all they need.
If they have not reached the appropriate pre-reading milestones, ask the teacher to tell you which skills they don't have, what her opinion is about why they haven't aquired those pre-reading skills yet (is there a pattern that might suggest the need for a different instructional style to match a different learning style?), and then start considering some enrichment over the summer. My second son hadn't reached the milestones he should have reached by the middle of kindergarten, and the teacher gave me very specific things to practice with him at home. He got where he needed to be by the end of K.
Good luck to you all. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1189
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 5:17 pm: |
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Like your daughter, my son was pretty anxious about first grade at the end of kindergarten, in his case because he didn't already know the math the first graders on the bus were doing. When we pointed out that they would be teaching it to him in 1st grade, he wasn't expected to know it going in, he relaxed a lot. Some reassurance along those lines could be helpful. You could also speak to her teacher (or first grade teacher) about what they would like the kids to know at the beginning of first grade. Could be she's just fine, but doesn't realize it. |
amelia
Citizen
Username: Amelia
Post Number: 48
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 6:27 am: |
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We have had a tutor for our son since the summer before entering 1st grade, he is now ending 2nd grade. Being one of the youngest in his class, he needed support and I wanted him to acclimate to the idea of a tutor. We hired Jim Diegnan who is an elementary school teacher in Livingston. He comes to our home, and his price are very reasonable. I highly recommend Jim as he relates very well to kids and my son's reading has progressed beautifully. Jim's # is 973-495-3097. |
calypso
Citizen
Username: Calypso
Post Number: 26
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 9:34 pm: |
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thanks all for your suggestions. Personally I'm not at all worried, and think she'll do just fine. And yes, she does and will spend lots of time playing! However, when a child is anxious about a new experience and asks for help, it seems to make sense to give it. A couple hours a week with someone who will boost confidence and give total attention doesn't seem like a punishment to me. I"ll also use your suggestion, MJC, and let her know that the others kids will be learning right along with her next year. |
Jersey girl
Citizen
Username: Critterlover
Post Number: 51
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:26 am: |
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P/L me for the details and phone number of a pre-k teacher who does reading readiness lessons with her 3 and 4 yr olds. She is top notch! and a sweetheart to boot, so her time available fills in fast for summer months.
Parents and children alike flock to her. She has that remarkable combination of vitality and energy plus the sense of wellbeing and serenity children are naturally drawn to. She knows it takes patience and that it can take some time to bring out the trust and comfort level in a child.
I would just publish her phone number for all here, but I have not asked her permission to do so. If you p/l me, I will have spoken to her by the time I get your email. I can ask her to read your post on this board.
Jersey girl |
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