How can I improve my reading and spelling abilities and determine what grade level I'm at?

Question

I have learning disabilities that really affect my reading and writing abilities (thank gosh for spell check).I can't really afford an assessment right now or a private tutor. Is there any on line place that I can use to determine my own reading level for free? Regardless, what are some things I can do on my own to improve my general reading ability and comprehension and my spelling? Thanks

Answer 1

It sounds as though you have yourself pretty well put together, so I'm not sure what knowing your reading level would do for you.  If you continue to read regularly, your comprehension level automatically improves.  If you really want to study, you might want to purchase materials, there should be reading or study skill materials for age group.  College level study skill books can be found in any college bookstore or ebay/amazon.  If you are younger, homeschool materials are available.

Spelling - I'd take the approach of this.  When spell check turns up an incorrectly spelled word, right it down on an index card.  Quiz yourself or write it down.  Whatever works best for you & your learning style.  If you feel as though doing something with your hands would help, learn how to fingerspell.  (You know the sign language ABC's.)  Look at the word, say the letter aloud, and then sign "D".  Some of my previous students find this a wonderful tool.  Again, it depends on your needs.

Answer 2

The best way to improve the reading skills is start from easy to complex,some time students have lacking of initial knowledge about the topic so due to this they can't be able to learn up to max.level.1st try to read your lower level class books,then jump towards the complex one,bcz by diong this one u will got a confidence and second this thing will be kept in ur mind that u have already read and learn this so the work become easy for u.Remove this thing from ur mind that ur weak in read,nothing is difficult every thing is easy by dint of hard work.reagularly read one or two article from ur previous class book .start like that way ,1st read the whole topic in cool way just reading a letter,after termination,think for some time what u have read in the topic ,then try to remember the words,what u have read,the word which u forgot,read them in a beautiful way on ur copies and also the meaning ,in this way u better enhance ur reading and spelling skills.

hope the answer of the question

Answer 3

Practice makes perfect with reading.... read things that you like... anything counts... magazines, the internet.....recipes....the back of cereal boxes.   Just read, read, read...everyday.   Then, ask yourself,  what was that about? If I had to sum it up in a sentence or two and tell someone about what I just read, what would I say?  That's the reading comprehension part.  

As for spelling, you can get some spelling games and play them... buy some kids workbooks and do them....word searches and crosswords are real good for word study, and that is basically what you need.   Hang in there and don't give up.  Anyone can learn how to read, and ANYONE can read better than they currently do.  The same for spelling.

Answer 4

I would like to say that I had the same problem, and I was told to find a book that u really like, and start off slow read a chapter, and thank about what u read, and it will help u to In prove, and if u See yourself getting aggravated, then stop take a break, and start again. hope this help.

Answer 5

Without knowing your learning disabilities it's kinda hard to know what to suggest, but I do believe that the reading comprehension books at www.criticalthinking.com are the best. They really require you to think before responding so there's no way to just skim for the answers. They're under $20, too. They work really well with my ESL students and my own kids that I homeschool and I hope that they would work for you.

For spelling be really sure that you know your phonics backwards and forwards. That is 90% of spelling. Just know all the ways that each sound can be made and then try to memorize which one goes with each word. You can also try creative things like singing your spelling and creating little tunes, or acronyms like Please Send Your Child Home for psych--- words. My son hops back and forth from one foot to the other while he says each letter of his spelling words. Whatever works, I guess.

Good luck. It's great that you're motivated and trying to improve.