Paired reading. How do I do it?

rosie383

My 11 yr old DD has always been a poor reader despite my best efforts at encouraging her to enjoy reading. The school has assessed her and said that her reading age is 9 yrs. I was invited to a parents' session last night on 'paired reading' which apparently gives excellent results.
My problem is... I was late! It was important for me to be there, but due to various circumstances, I missed all the first bit of the presentation telling how it was actually done. There was another session after which I wasn't invited to, so I couldn't hang around and ask about what I missed. And frankly, I was more than a little embarrassed.
They gave us a sheet about it, but it isn't clear on some points.
Specifically.....
-Shared reading should be at the child's pace (I get that bit. I think we read the same text together).
-The child signals when they wish to take over (does this mean that I stop reading and let them read alone?)
-If the child pauses, allow 5 seconds to give her a chance to decode the word.
-After 5 seconds begin shared reading until your child signals again.

I don't know if anyone has any experience of this. Please help if you can as I won't get a chance to speak to the relevant SEN tutor until after the half term break, and I don't want to lose the next 2 weeks.
Thank you in anticipation!

esio_trot

I did this as part of a peer support programme in my final year at school. This link from Dundee University, at a glance, seems to tell you what you need to know to get started with paired reading.

Hope that helps some

busiscoming2

http://www-ma.beth.k12.pa.us/scheck/pairdrdg.htm#How%20to

Any good?

rosie383

Thank you so much for the links. I have read through all the info and it has told me exactly what I needed to know. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this. Now I just have to persuade her to read something other than Garfield comic strip books!!!!!! I know all reading should be encouraged, but they are the only books she will read willingly!

travelgran

You're right, all reading should be encouraged. Try moving from Garfield to other 'comic books' with plenty of pictures and fewer words. For readers who are not confident the sheer amount of text can be very intimidating. Your library may have 'graphic novels'. These are comic-style books in terms of pictures, but with a more mature interest level. If she finds a story she enjoys read it together and leave her hanging at the end of a chapter ('so what happened next?' is a great incentive). Whatever you do, try to be relaxed about it. If she sometimes wants you to do all the reading - just do it and enjoy it. It's one-on-one time!

Hermia

travelgran wrote: »

You're right, all reading should be encouraged. Try moving from Garfield to other 'comic books' with plenty of pictures and fewer words. For readers who are not confident the sheer amount of text can be very intimidating. Your library may have 'graphic novels'.

I second the graphic novels suggestion. Try some Manga as it's very trendy amongst the young 'uns & they tend to come in multi-volume series so if she likes one she will have plenty more to read. A lot of young teenage girls come into the library where I work who absolutely love it. Make sure you flick through it first though as some of the stories are more suited to older teens.

rosie383

She has a great sense of humour and really only likes funny books. I have tried getting her some Spike Milligan, John Hegley poetry etc, but she doesn't enjoy them at all. I think the poetry doesn't work because her reading doesn't flow. She tends to plod through each word individually, which you can't really do with poetry.
I will have a look in the library today and see if there is anything that she may like. I know that she doesn't like Manga, so hopefully there would be a different type.
As she was so reluctant last night to do any reading, I agreed to do paired reading from Garfield with her. We both really enjoyed it, and she didn't want to stop after the 15 mins was up. I find it very very funny too, so we can have a laugh together, and she doesn't really see it as a chore.

Gingham_Ribbon

I did this with my son and his reading improved dramatically as a result. Have fun.

rosie383

That's very good to know. My dd is rebelling a bit about it. She says it makes her feel like a baby and it's as if she 'has special needs or something!!!) Cue 11yr old running out of room! I have promised her that as soon as her reading has improved enough, and she is reassessed by the SENCO as no longer needing the help, then she can stop.

busiscoming2

If she likes funny and poetry, how abour Roald Dahls Revolting Ryhmes? They are his take on the fairy stories! I love it!

raq

i HAVE JUST RUN THIS INFORMATION OFF.

Gonna try this out with my 6 year old from the weekend.