Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Jazz Was Tested for Her Reading Level

Jazzmin was tested by her tutor yesterday to see what her appropriate reading level is. The results show that her reading level is nearly at a 6th grade level. The tutor also gave her a journal to write any thoughts or ideas that might come to her. I'm going to have her try and write in it at least twice this week.

I wonder if her reading level is the reason why she finds reading so boring in 4th grade?
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4 comments:

Hillary said...

I don't think her reading level explains why she finds reading boring -- there are plenty of things to read out there that are higher than 4th grade level, and from what you've said, getting her to read is a chore. Also, nearly 6th grade level means 5th grade level -- if she is in the top reading group in her class, the materials are probably at least at the established 5th grade level, if not higher. I hope she is aiming to be reading at 7th or 8th grade level, if she is feeling ambitious about this stuff. The "grade level" is just an average, not really an externally defined excellence target. It would be interesting to know the percentage of 4th graders who are testing at 6th grade level or above. Particularly interesting would be to know this value for a school system like Concord, NH -- how is Jazzmin doing compared to students in an established excellent school system.
Is she enjoying the tutoring? The journal writing sounds like a great thing.

Genjer Leigh said...

There are no reading groups in her class. Everybody reads the same exact thing. Getting her to read is a chore because she finds it boring - not because she finds it hard to read the story.

Jazzmin seems to be enjoying the tutoring - though she's only gone twice thus far. I think she enjoys the one on one aspect of it.

Hillary said...

so are you saying that if we send her more interesting, more advanced books, she will read them? That wasn't the impression I had from some of your earlier posts.

Genjer Leigh said...

Next time I go to the bookstore with her I am going to see what happens if I buy her a more advanced book. Plus tutor is supposed to give her reading based on established reading level.

Jazzmin is only having issues in reading/ language arts because she is not making the effort. Not because she finds the subjects hard.

With the tutor we can better figure out if there are any learning issues (which there don't appear to be so far). And perhaps she can learn how to better write book reports. And if no issues are found then all I can do is continue to work with the teacher to try and get her to put the proper effort into subjects she finds boring (reading/language arts) - not just in subjects she likes (math/science).