Should my daughter be reading a book that challenges her?

Question

My daughter is going into 5th grade this year and is on a 3rd grade reading level. I feel she should read books that challenge her, but not to the point that she can't understand them. Her dad (we are divorced) said she needs to read books that are easier so she doesn't miss the fundamentals of reading. I just want to do what is best for our daughter. Does anyone have some advice or a website that could help? Thanks

Answer 1

Its good to challenge her but do something she will be interested in, like Harry Potter, or if you dont like the HP stuff i suggest The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale, Or The serious Kiss by Mary Hogan. Other good ones are a series of unfortunate events by Lemony Snicket.

Just make sure they are books she will enjoy and have fun reading instead of ones she will be forcing her way trough barely understanding.

Answer 2

I don't see how anything will "challenger her so much that she misses the fundamentals of reading"...reading will be reading. The content you can control, but as long as its not abusive to her mind then why not. Be glad she likes to read and push her limits of interest. I would say you should support her interests for sure, don't worry she will be fine.

Answer 3

I think she should read more challenging books, so that she can keep up with the rest of her class (she'll need to be able to keep up later on, especially when she goes to junior high and high school, especially when she has to take standardized reading/comprehension tests). It'll be difficult at first, but it'll get easier later.

I'd suggest taking your daughter to Sylvan to improve her reading skills. It'll definitely help, and your daughter won't like it at first, but once she starts reading more challenging material, she'll start to feel really proud of herself, and it'll open up a whole new world for her.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Well if she is in fifth grade she probably needs to read books like The Sisterhood of the Travling Pants Series which she would understand and its a great book for girls. Myself is in the fifth grade and i some people actually read books from the 3rd grade which I think is fine becasue at least she is reading. But maybe go to your local bookstore and show her some fifth grade books and maybe she'll find one she really likes.But don't push her to read books like Harry Potter unless she wants to. Well good luck!!!

Answer 5

She needs to be reading at a level that interests her as well as challengers her. I remember I really enjoyed the royal diary series. It was the diaries of several different famous rulers through out the ages. Good luck reading is a very important skill to master.

Answer 6

Hi!  I have a ten  year old fifth grade daughter.

When reading books, children (no matter if they are ahead, behind, or right at the "average" reading level) should have a variety of books that both challenge them somewhat, and that are simple to read so that they will not get frustrated and want to give up on reading altogether.  Both you and your husband are right!

If I were you, I would visit your local library.  They have little sheets with the names of books for 3rd Graders, 4th Graders, 5th Graders, etc.  I would let her pick a couple from each of these reading levels.

I hope this helps, and I wish you the best!

Answer 7

you are an AWESOME mom i was reading at a 3rd grade level in 1st grade and my mom liked to challenge me and i thank her little soul for that now she will thank you in a long run for that! challenge her!

Answer 8

yes you are right but so is her father she should be having fun while reading but at the same time she should be learning.

Answer 9

Do both.  And read aloud to her, as well.

Reading books that are a little below her reading level will increase her confidence and fluency.  Because it's not hard, she'll be able to work on reading faster and will also be able to focus on enjoying what she reads, which will build positive associations that will carry over into future books.

Reading books at or just above her reading level will challenge her to keep working on decoding strategies and building her vocabulary.  If it's a really good story, she may be motivated to read something that's a little harder than what she would normally want to read.  Many kids find that the Harry Potter books are great that way, but of course there are lots of other great alternatives, too.  Use the 5-finger test to make sure the books aren't too hard:  have her put her finger down on each word she doesn't know.  If she gets all her fingers down on one page, the book is too hard and will just be frustrating.

Reading out loud to her will let you choose much harder things than she could read herself (even if she's reading at a third grade level, she might be listening at a sixth or seventh grade level).  You can choose more interesting stories and also be developing her vocabulary.  You can teach comprehension strategies by talking about difficult passages, making predictions, discussing characters or plot, etc.  And it's just nice to read with a parent.

Answer 10

She needs to read a book more challenging for sure. How else would you learn! The point your husband is missing is the parenting point (ouch, I know, sorry). Read WITH her. Be there to help her sound out tough words, to explain whats going on if she missed something, to answer any question that might pop into that little head of hers. I recommend the Harry Potter books for this, it's helped my fifth grade sister out quite a bit.

I love the notebook idea mentioned earlier - it's something I do myself (even as a crazy english major). Keep a notebook together of cool words she spots, or words she doesn't know. Write the word down and leave a couple lines for the defintion and a practical sentence - something you two fill in later.

I promise you this, if you read more challenging books with her now, you'll help instill a love of reading, which turns into a love of learning. This can only benefit her. Go mom!

Answer 11

My dad made me carry a notebook and when I didn't know a word, I had to write it down and look it up and write down the definition. She should be reading books that challenge her, but she needs to make sure that she actually learns what she is reading. Also, hooked on phonics is great, or the Sylvan learning center. They know how to help.

Answer 12

Had this problem, and I'm surprised your child's teachers havn't suggested anything. My daughter's did- reading aloud for about half an hour each night. I've got to recommend this and you can see that it's working. Pick a not to challenging book- go for 4th grade stuff I would- and something that she'll enjoy. Maybe something in a trilogy, so that it carries on, but the series isn't too long that if she's finding it too hard or easy at the end she still wants to know what's happening.

Reading aloud means you and your husband can help while she's stayubg with each of you, and you can help her with punctuation- ie. correcting how she emphasises a sentance- and with trickier words. Her teacher also suggested that I read aloud- taking it in turns, whether it's every chapter, every other page. I was also told that reading with my daughter- at the same time- should help her. (That's what the website is about). Good luck!

Good luck!

Answer 13

I would start by finding out what kind of things interests your daughter, then getting books that have those interests in them.. A lot of the time, problems in reading stem from lack of interest, not from lack of ability. Some kids do not have an interest for reading, so it takes extra effort to keep them engaged. Start with easier books at her level of reading about her interests, then slowly increase the difficulty while still keeping her engaged.

Answer 14

Maybe Slyvin or other places that they help you out with (Professional Tutoring).  When I was in 5th grade, I was at a 8th grade reading level, but a 3rd grade grammar level.  Never made sense to me!! LOL.

Answer 15

let her challenge herself,if she doesn't understand,it's your or your husband's job to help her:)if she reads easier books then she will never improve.so be next to her when she is reading so if she doesn't understand she will ask you,and you or your husband answer her questions.that will help her improve.:D