The problem is, how do I get my son to read during the summer months? I've tried almost everything except punishment. When I try to get him to read, it can easily turn into a fight. I don't want him to hate reading.
He's currently reading at a 4.4 grade level, due to having him tutored this past school year. He's come a long way, but I hate to see him lose his reading ability. Kids in his third-grade class are reading Harry Potter, but he found it too difficult.
What should I do?
If you can, find a man to be a role model. Talk about reading. Let boys see you reading. Acting as a positive, literate role model is the single most important thing you can do to help boys read.
Let boys know that nonfiction reading is reading. Magazines, newspapers, websites, biographies, science books, comic books, and graphic novels are all reading material.
Form a father-son or parent-son book club. Meet at an indoor soccer facility or gym to talk about books, and then run around, too. Be a model for how to read a book and talk about it.
You'll also find favorite "guy books" posted on guysread.com and a place for boys and adults to talk about books they like. If your son is driven to read books that are way above his level (and Harry Potter is way above a third-grade reading level) use these books as "read-alouds" for you to read to him. He'll still get the content and have a good model for hearing fluent reading. No one is too old to be read to and it's never too late to begin. Good luck!