Request a CatalogContact Us
 0 Items
Home > Support > Curricula > Starting 3rd grade...
 
 
Question: My child is starting 3rd grade and still is not reading easily. Should I follow the 3rd grade curriculum or step back and supplement the material? We used [a different provider's phonics program] last year.
Answer:

Dear Parent,

Thank you for your question!

I would recommend that you start using Little Stories for Little Folks with your son as soon as possible. This program often gives a 'jump-start' to reluctant readers. Even though he is probably farther along in his reading skills than the first level in Little Stories, if you begin at the beginning your son should move along fairly rapidly. Because the level will be easy for him, he will have success and should be encouraged by that. Also, going story by story will help you see if he has any gaps in his reading. After a month, you can see how far he has progressed in reading.

You might think about starting school a month or two late, and just working on reading and math. When you are ready to start the school year, if your son has achieved or is close to achieving his grade level, then you can use the entire third grade curriculum. If you find, however, that he is not ready for 3rd grade reading level, you can substitute the 2nd grade reading curriculum.

I would highly recommend that you and he concentrate on the reading as much as possible because it will be difficult for him to complete his other core subjects, such as science and social studies, unless he has a firm handle on his language skills. If you find that he is getting discouraged with reading, I would recommend taking a step back, and finding the reading level at which he is most comfortable. Once he realizes that he can read, you can gradually help him gain more confidence as a reader.

God bless you and your family!

Laura Nicholson

   
© 2024 Catholic Heritage Curricula