Ask the Experts
Whether you're a parent searching for information on ways to help your child at home or a teacher looking for advice on your practice, our experts can help. AdLit.org has assembled a team of experts to help you find the answers you need.
Note: Due to the number of emails we receive, we regret that we cannot answer every question or personally respond to each inquiry, but we appreciate your submission.
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How Do You Get a 12-Year-Old Boy to Read?
I have a 12-year-old son who hates to read much himself, but loves to be read to. He will read comics on his own, but that's about all. What do you suggest to get him to read more?
Interventions for Eighth Graders
What are some good interventions for students who are in the eighth grade? Do you have any good ideas for adolescents who struggle with reading?
Motivating Pre-Teen Girls to Read
Can you suggest some books for a pre-teen girl who hates to read? She doesn't read as fast as her classmates, so she prefers not to read at all.
Students Behind by More than Two Grade Levels
Frequently we encounter students in the 4th grade and above who have huge gaps in their literacy skills and are two or more grade levels behind academically. How do we teach these students foundational literacy skills, word recognition, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension and what materials/resources do you recommend that do not seem babyish?
Could you send me some current research/link for research which indicates that a sustained reading program benefits adolescent readers? We are having trouble in our high school with staff who do not feel that there are any benefits to the 20 minutes of sustained reading we do weekly with our students.
I'm a special education teacher who has wavered for six years about whether to test my own son for a learning disability. He doesn't want to be a "special" kid with "special" teachers. How do I know if it is right to test and risk my son being mad at me?
Trouble with Letter Sound Knowledge
I have a student who knows his sounds and can blend them, but when he reads, he will begin the sound but complete the word with an incorrect word that begins with the same initial sound. He does this when he sounds the word out phoneme by phoneme. Any suggestions for interventions?
Recommended Daily Reading Instruction
In the lower grades it is recommended that students have 90 minutes of uninterrupted reading instruction daily. How many minutes should 5th and 6th graders have? Secondly, what type of reading instruction should 7th and 8th graders have in addition to English class?
Ways to Encourage ELL Students to Read
I am curious if you have any suggestions for helping low SES and ESoL students to read when they have no books at home, and their parents don't have time or don't value the importance of practicing reading?
My 8-year old son has been diagnosed with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADD. He cannot write a story because his printing cannot be understood. What do I do about his printing? How do I get him interested in the writing process?
My son will be 10 in two months and can't read and can barely do simple addition and subtraction. What can I do?
I have a 12-year-old son who is struggling with reading. I wanted to know if there was a computer program or other program that can be done in the home. He is getting help at school, but I believe more should be done.
