4 Awesome books for that struggling reluctant reader.

Is there a difference between a struggling and a reluctant reader?

You may wondering what is the difference between a reluctant or a struggling reader.  A reluctant reader is a child who does not enjoy reading. They may be a little below grade level but not drastically. Here is a perfect article I found Learning How to Read: 10 Ways to Help a Reluctant Reader (Parenting, 2018) The struggling reader is someone who needs some early intervention. Reading Rockets is one of my go-to websites to find information that I provide for parents and teachers alike.

 

Recently, I was asked by a parent that I tutor, “What are some good chapter books?” So I let her know which ones I enjoy but for a child who struggles with reading these four were my first suggestions.

*affiliate links are being used in this post.

 

Henry and Mudge

Henry and his dog Mudge enter a snowman contest in this nineteenth Ready-to-Read book of their adventures. Written by Cynthia Rylant

Henry sees a sign about a snowman contest in the park! Can Henry, his father, and his big dog Mudge come up with the best snowman plan to win the contest?

Magic Treehouse

The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system! The author is Mary Pope Osborne

Where did the tree house come from?

Amelia Bedelia

Ever since Amelia Bedelia made her debut in 1963, young readers have been laughing out loud at the antics of this literal-minded but charming housekeeper. Written by Peggy Parish

From dressing the chicken to drawing the drapes, Amelia Bedelia does exactly what Mr. and Mrs. Rogers tell her to do. If things get a bit mixed up, well, that’s okay. When Amelia Bedelia is involved, everything always turns out perfectly in the end! This Level 2 I Can Read is perfect for kids who read on their own but still need a little help.

“No child can resist Amelia [Bedelia] and her literal trips through the minefield of the English language—and no adult can fail to notice that she’s usually right when she’s wrong.”—The New York Times Book Review

Hank Zipzer Series

Here’s Henry is only one in a series of stories written by Henry Winkler

Hank stars the same Hank as in the bestselling Hank Zipzer series, only this time he’s in 2nd grade! Hank is a kid who doesn’t try to be funny, but he somehow always makes the kids in his class laugh. He’s pretty bad at memorizing stuff, and spelling is his worst subject. (But so are math and reading!) In the first book in this new series, Hank’s class is putting on a play, and Hank wants the lead part: Aqua Fly. But he freezes in his audition and can only buzz like a fly. His teacher creates a special part for Hank, a silent bookmark. This may seem like an insignificant role, but when his enemy, Nick McKelty, freezes during the performance, it’s up to Hank to save the play!

Recently, while catching up on my Facebook posts. A group I follow to help support children with dyslexia called Dyslexia Support – for parents of dyslexic children mentioned that they purchased some Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book recently for their child and they could not put it down.

A recent post that was written by Beth Sullivan, Reading and Writing Tutor she shared Do Graphic Novels count as “real reading?”

Beth states, that there are some up and downsides to graphic novels. However, as the parent that was looking for a book that would grab and keep their reluctant reader’s attention, I would say try it. As I tell my parents who ask, “what are some good books for my child?”  I always mention you need to first see if the book is at their level.

Available now on Amazon is my eBook “Just Right” Books, helping your child become a successful reader.  Or go to our Resource Page

 

 

 

 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 12 Books Complete Collection Set Box of Books NEW Edition. Description: Titles in this collection: Diary Of a Wimpy Kid Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Rodrick Rules Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – The Last Straw Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Dog Days Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – The Ugly Truth Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Cabin Fever Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – The Third Wheel Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Hard Luck Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – The Long Haul Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Old School Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Double Down Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Do-It-Yourself Book

6 + 10 =

The Best Websites I Use During Online Tutoring

Whether it is helping your child study a weekly spelling list, understand those vocabulary words or even help them to read those books that they so badly want to read. As a tutor, I offer website and app suggestions to help children who struggle. Not only the families that I work with but families that just need help and have reached out for suggestions. Here I am listing several of the sites I have shared,

 

Raz Kids this website is a paid site. As a tutor I provide a FREE subscription to families I work with, The stories are for children in K – 6, but if a child is struggling they will not be reading at their grade level. This provides students the ability to read at their level, become successful and confident with what they are reading as they move through the different levels. I have seen so many of my students close the gap and become excited about reading. Raz Kids may already be in your child’s school setting. Many of the students I have worked with have said they know about this site. It offers like I mentioned books at their level. After each story, there is either a 5 or 10 question quiz.  I do suggest that children read at least one story a night and that parents listen to their child read and help them go through the quiz if they do not understand the question.

 

Education.com is a site that I provide frequently to parents and even other tutors looking for resources to help the children they work with.  This site has popular searches, worksheets, and more. The grades range from Preschool – 5th grade. Again if your child is struggling they may not be working at their exact grade level until they begin to close that gap. I want to make sure those holes are filled in before we make it even harder to get them to move forward and become confident readers and learners. Did I mention this site offers both math and English concepts?

 

ReadWorks   It has it’s own YouTube Channel.  Even The National Education Association lists it on their website for a good resource for teachers. Read Works can be used digitally, projected in the classroom setting and as a printout. I use it in my tutoring services as another format for parents to help their child widen the vocabulary and comprehension skills. In my sessions, I ensure that the student understands what is happening to help them achieve success. They know that they need to do their part as well. Read Works supplements a classroom for grades K – 12. Teachers can track each student. It also supports students in ELL and Special Education by providing less complex articles and audio versions. Did I mention that this site is FREE? It’s amazing!

 

Vocabulary Spelling City is new to me but what I have seen it works. I chose the FREE site so that I can help my students with their spelling and vocabulary lessons during our sessions in a fun and creative way.  Spelling City is offered for free, to families and to schools. Once you learn how to navigate the site there is a list of grade level spelling words and academic vocabulary words. These words can be used in a game to make it fun. So that they are learning and having fun! I will provide an update as time goes on and I use it more frequently with my students.

 

Reading Rockets is brought to you by WETA broadcasting. This site offers support for teachers and for struggling readers. Reading Rockets has videos, stories, a blog to search for any questions you may have. Fun stuff for teachers, parents and children alike.

 

A few of the students I work with do not only struggle with reading but they also struggle in math. The following math site I use and share.

XtraMath is for students who may know their facts but need to pick up fluency in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It is a program to help increase the fluency and accuracy of those problems. It starts with addition depending upon grade level and knowledge of facts.

 

 

Blogs That I Follow

This Reading Mama (affiliate link) is for the younger reader. She has an assortment of items to choose from; printable items, spelling, phonics, and even APPS she has developed. Awesome ideas for homeschool families and teachers alike. Becky is a homeschool mom and shares this blog and store for so many of us to use and enjoy!

Become An Online Tutor Blog this is where I get most of my information pertaining to my business. If you are new to tutoring this is a great resource.

 

 

3 Secrets To Get Online Students

 

 

 

Online Tutoring … Here and Now

You just had lunch with a friend and she mentioned that her child was struggling in school.  She said, Yeah Suzie (not her real name) was struggling with reading. Well… you mention that your child has a tutor over the internet.

Yep, that’s right an Online Reading tutor and I found her at

Castle Rock Online Reading Tutor which is a site that has a free gift, summer programs, and even a blog to help parents with some suggestions on struggles your child may be having. You should check it out.  So, on your way back to work you were thinking … an Online Reading Tutor may just work. No travel, no extra cost and it can be in the safety of our own home.

 

Check out our podcast interview with  Phil Morris of The Virtual Teacher Podcast   

The next time you were out to lunch with your friend and she happened to mention an Online Tutor what would you say? Comment below!

 

If you were wondering how to become an Online Tutor follow…
Facebook Group Ultimate Support Group for Online Tutors
  Become an Online Tutor Blog

Most importantly our Dream Big Conference

 

 

Money, Money, Money…Money

Money, Money, Money… Money   By The O’Jays

Whether you have a 9-5 job, a small business or even a stay at home parent. The concern about money is one of the top priorities. Especially now when online bill payments, online banking, you name it you can do everything online, to include tutoring of course. When you own an online business, I would say a majority of the financial transactions are online through PayPal, Intuit, Stripe just to name a few.

Chris Smith wrote on his blog brg.com  about a cybersecurity expert had his PayPal account hacked even on a Christmas Eve. Nothing is safe anymore really. Most important is ensuring you update your passwords frequently.

Terri Grigsby an amazing math tutor that I met through  The Ultimate Support Group for Online Tutors was just beginning her business and growing at a phenomenal rate. Doing everything needed to get her information out there to help individuals who struggle with math increase their confidence. Here is her story, which can also be found on her site www.tagtutoring.com

On Quora. The question was asked, “Can PayPal accounts get hacked?” Log Dog offers some solutions if, like Terri or the security specialist, gets hacked.

What Should I Do If My PayPal Account Was Hacked

If you are an online tutor there is a Pinterest Group that offers tips shared by some of the top tutors out there.