The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, appropriate for a 3rd grade reading level? Options

[JessicaN]

I told DS he wasn't allowed to watch the movie until we read it. He never wanted to try, I think he was intimidated by the BIG book, we have all of the volumes bound in one giant book. But when I told him that one chapter was only 4 pages of the big book, he was excited about it yesterday.

So today after school I got it out, and had him read out loud to me so I could help him with the big words, and the expresions used in the 50's. We only got through about 4 paragraphs.

In the very begining Lucy is telling Edmund to go to bed, that there would be a "row" if they were caught talking. Edmund replies that no one would hear them because it was such a big house, and they were far away from the rest of the household.


Well, I was trying to get just to explain to me in his own words WHY they wouldn't get in trouble for talking. it took us 10 minutes and me finally telling him BECAUSE THEY WERE FAR AWAY FROM THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE

I was so frustrated. According to school, he reads on 3rd grade level. But at home, he keeps choosing Abby's picture books or the I Spy books which are WAY below a 3rd graders reading ability. I have bought him dozens and dozens of books of every shape, size, and theme. I just handed him a scholastic book order form to choose some new ones, and he only circled craft kits or anything with a Nikelodeon character on it.

One thing I know I did wrong, I demanded his attention by looking at me. I know that his ADHD demands him to be fidgeting, and I should give him some playdough or silly putty, and I should have been reading to him instead of asking him to read to me. But somewehere in life, he needs to read on his own, and he needs to focus on figuring out what printed matter MEANS not just reading the words.

I thought Narnia would have caught his attention, espescially with the promise to buy the movie on DVD when he's done.

Am I expecting too much from him? Can anyone suggest another book that would catch his attention (he loves the Magic Treehouse series, but he's read them all)

[princessa]

My sister is grade 3, but I don't think she could read Narnia either. I could, but I was reading at a grade 5/6 standard. But they can listen to the story ok, I just think reading it themselves would be hard going for them. I can't suggest any books though, as I only have sisters.

[siuilaruin]

I made the same "read it before you see it" deal. She's only a second grader so I wasn't sure what to expect. I let her read to herself entirely and asked questions after every chapter to make sure she understood. She did really well; I was surprised by how well.

Have you tried Goosebumps? My dd just discovered them and LOVES them. They are more silly than scary. She tries to take these books everywhere with her.

[twinsX2]

We began reading the Chronicles of Narnia to our 3rd graders and they love it. It pays to start with the Magicians Nephew. We are reading it out loud because I think that I get as much if not more out of it then they do. Plus some of the wording is a little hard for them. Since it has the "British" tone to it some of it doesn't make since to my girls, but I just keep reading. They definitely get the big picture and the point of all that is happening. We stop occasionally and make references to certain scenes or certain storylines and how they are parallel to the bible. I personally have fallen in love with the stories. It is amazing how CS Lewis has given me a new view of God's love. There are also some neat books that you can get to go along with the Chronicles. They help you to understand the different things that might be confusing. We went to see the movie after we had read the book and it was great to hear my girls talk about the differences/similarities.

[JessicaN]

Thanks for the replies, I think I will read it out loud to him, and try to analize a bit less. Just let him get the 'big' picture.

That's funny Ruth, I tried to buy a couple of more girly type books thinking that maybe, just maybe he would like them? nope, he definately likes boy books, lol.

I'll pick up a Goosebumps too, and see how that goes, thanks for the idea siuilaruin.

Just a quick note too.... He really loves to read, he reads anything and everything, but only as long as it's not challenging.

I can buy him things likeNational Geografic for Kids, and he'll be up all night reading it. Or his Magic Treehosue books - again, all night long.

But try to challenge him, and forget it. I don't know if I should stop pushing, and eventually his love of reading will lead him to more appropriate choices?

[siuilaruin]

I just let my dd's interest guide her extra reading and sneak in the challenges when she doesn't realize it. As long as he can and he wants to read, the rest is just details, right?

[Tristain]

I would love to read that to Bryce, HW he is only 4 so I don't think he would get it at all. I do think I am going to take a shot at it though.

[Melanie]

My son was 7 when he read them, but he has always read far ahead of his grade level. My daughter is 7 and is nowhere near being able to read them by herself, but she enjoys listening to them.

[three2camp]

According to BookAdventure.org, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is at grade 5.9, not third grade.

My son and I are reading it together (he's already read it three, four times) and we are still explaining some of the old-fashioned, British terms.

My son also enjoyed The Boxcar Children series of books. It's a fairly old series, but being re-published.

[JessicaN]

Thanks for that info, I'll give him a choice, but he's still not going to watch the DVD until we read it, lol

[mtbriere]

Just a quick note too.... He really loves to read, he reads anything and everything, but only as long as it's not challenging.

But try to challenge him, and forget it. I don't know if I should stop pushing, and eventually his love of reading will lead him to more appropriate choices?

This is very similar to what I face with my ds. I don't push either, but have found that he reads more and more. We just picked up the Magician's Nephew and he's read very little. (He's 5th grade.) But he reads things I make him read for school just fine. I'm glad we do book studies...I know there are book studies out there on this series. Especially since the making of the movie. Maybe you can try one of those.

[foxchild]

I would love to read that to Bryce, HW he is only 4 so I don't think he would get it at all. I do think I am going to take a shot at it though.

My dh starting reading them to my son last year when Timothy was still 4, he turned 5 in Dec. He loves them and looks forward to the next book.

[alisonamsb]

We used the audio books for the series just before the twins turned five (just before the movie came out). They didn't get some of the references but they really enjoyed the stories. And I was surprised how much they retained. And they loved the movie.

Just my two cents, but I have to disagree with reading the magician's nephew first. While it is first in the chronology, it wasn't meant to be read first. The lion, witch... was written first. Then Lewis went back and wrote the magician's nephew. I think the book reveals too much of the mystery of Narnia if read first. We listened to all the books (except the last one) first and then went back and read the first and then the last.

One more thing, I don't know the actual readin glevel for the books but I would say it's much higher than 3rd grade. The actual word level might be there, but the concept and readability is much higher. I would say at least 4th and likely 5th grade. So don't expect the younger ones to get it all. The big picture will do for now. I plan on having the kids read the series on their own when they are around 5th grade.


Alison

[princessa]

I just remembered about this, how about a shorted version of 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' picture book? He could read that ok, and then he would have at least read it himself. Not that you wouldn't still read him the full story.

[carmatlock]

I bought these books on ebay and have meant to read them to the dc. . .dh has been reading to the boys. . .Treasure Island, Sherlock Holmes, Christmas Carol, etc. . .way above their levels right now. . .but they do RETAIN lots. . .I'm surprised all the time

[mtbriere]

We used the audio books for the series just before the twins turned five (just before the movie came out). They didn't get some of the references but they really enjoyed the stories. And I was surprised how much they retained. And they loved the movie.

Just my two cents, but I have to disagree with reading the magician's nephew first. While it is first in the chronology, it wasn't meant to be read first. The lion, witch... was written first. Then Lewis went back and wrote the magician's nephew. I think the book reveals too much of the mystery of Narnia if read first. We listened to all the books (except the last one) first and then went back and read the first and then the last.

Alison, funny you mention this. First, we listen ALOT to books on tape. Especially on our trips to MI (8hours on the road), but even when we're cleaning around the house. Second, my 13 yodd read this series long ago. She had checked out the series from the church library (a very old copy). She was the one that kept telling me that someone had re-ordered them. I wonder who made that decision?

[krodriguez]

I just saw this and thought I might add my two cents.

My 8-yo is on the third of the books. She loves them. I read TLWAW to them first but then she read the Magician's Nephew and The Horse and His Boy all alone. In fact, she went back and read TLWAW again to herself.

I would try and encourage him to read them alone. You never know what he may be capable of until he tries.

[chocolatelover]

Maybe begin w/ him reading one paragraph and you read a few pages until he is interested then you can do 1 page each back and forth.
My DD loves to do that 1 page back and forth. She ends up reading the rest of the book on her own.
She is very advanced in her reading she has read the Magician's Nephew and TLWAW. She said "Mom my brain needs a break" after reading them both in one week. She has been reading "junk books" for a little while now. I will start her again on the Narnia next week.

I told mine also they can't see the movie until we read the book.

I found it very boring the day I tried to read it. I stopped where you did. I need to start reading it again to the littler ones, so they can see the movie too.

[JessicaN]

Actually last night, he picked up a book, that is way above 3rd grade too, it's called The Secret of Platform 13 We've been reading back and forth too. He'll come to me and say that he doesn't know what a phrase is, so I'll read the paragraph before, and a few paragraphs after, they he'll understand it when he hears it context (ie: British nappies=diapers) So we've been cruising through that book. I think we'll re-visit Narnia after we finish this book. It does surprise me how much he takes away from it when I know he doesn't understand every word.

My problem is that I know he's capable of more than an 'average' 7yo second grader, but I don't know where to challenge him, where to push him, and where to let him be.

[krodriguez]

I know both of my girls read above their level, but that is bc I do push them. If I did not, I am not sure they would be reading at all. Now, hw, Morgan loves to read and is doing so constantly.

I check for comprehension by occasionally asking them to tell me in their own words what just happened in that paragraph or chapter. As long as they are getting the information and understanding what they are reading I think it is good. I was once told by a teacher that children should always be encouraged to read at least one grade level above where they should be and read to at least two above what they can read. That is what I have tried to do with my girls.

Reading has definitely been the area I push them the hardest. If they can read well, chances are good they can do just about any other subject well.

Happy Reading!

Oh, Maria, TLWAW is awesome. Keep reading. I think you will find you really enjoy it.