Ever the enigma, LuLu’s behaviors have been very positive since her explosion on Wednesday. Yesterday we accomplished more during our school time than we usually do. While she is still struggling mightily with long division, she whipped right through the language arts lesson (commas), jumped head first into learning 12 more states and capitols, and started a new biography on Ben Franklin.

Usually it’s the book reading that brings us to a screeching halt, so I had decided, based on the way we’ve been successful in the past, to co-read with her (taking turns reading aloud). The book I selected is at 3.2 reading level (she is reading solidly between the 3rd and 4th grade level). But so much is about what she believes she can or can’t do. And LuLu believes she can’t read.

Well, for whatever reason yesterday, she decided to start reading the book during her lunch break (I had planned reading for after lunch). And she managed to read the entire 12 pages by herself during lunch, comprehending it fully and only asking me twice to help her with a word. I was stunned.

So, I wrote it off to a fluke and assigned chapter two for today. Imagine my surprise when she actually picked it as the first subject to tackle today, and she tackled it while I blogged this morning, never asking me once for assistance.

But did she comprehend what she read? I asked her about what happened in the chapter, and she explained that poor Ben had to work as a child, but did not get paid. And that since he’d been born on a Sunday and was left-handed he was considered a child from the devil. She had zeroed in on this and wanted to know how any one could believe such a thing (I’m left-handed and it’s good to know that LuLu doesn’t think I’m a devil child!) “They should give a grip!” she exclaimed indignantly. (I love it when she gets the expression wrong!)

Mostly I love it that she did the reading so independently. Yes, she was reading aloud to herself, but she was focused and comprehended what she read. So many times reading is a battle for her.

In my next blog I’ll talk about what may be helping with this…


How to Improve Reading Skills of Children with ADHD or Learning Disabilities
Success at School: Reading Help for Children at Every Age
The 3 Rs, Creative Learning Tricks for Children with ADHD