My daughter is in the third grade and she is reading on a level of 20 she should be at level 34. Please help they are threating to retain her and I don't want that. I need suggestions, desperate mom.

Retention would probably be the best thing for your daughter.

Fourth grade is hard, especially for children with reading difficulties. It's usually the first grade level to emphasize comprehension and analysis of what the students have read. They must have mastered the reading skills taught in the first three grades in order to succeed in fourth grade.

If your daughter goes on to fourth grade, she's almost certain to fail and feel dumb. If she repeats third grade, she'll feel smart because a lot of this material will be easy. It will also give her a chance to catch up on the reading skills she's missed.

Remember children develop at their own pace. Moving automatically from one grade to the next is not carved in stone.

Do what is best for your daughter.

I agree with Ms. Sue.

I also have witnessed what can happen for a child who is not reading at grade level -- but a book that's fascinating is put in his/her hands. Here's an example:

My younger grandson barely passed from grade 3 to 4. His school had an Accelerated Reader program in place, but he was choosing "baby books" (anything under grade 4 difficulty!), and my daughter was becoming more and more worried about him.

One day we went into the school library's webpage and downloaded the AR reading list linked there. She asked him to choose any book he might be interested in that was listed at 4.5 grade level or higher and worth more than 10 points. We were amazed when he decided he wanted to try the first of the Harry Potter series ... and he loved it. From then on, it was hard to keep a book out of his hands. It was almost magic!

You might enlist the help of your school's librarian to find a book (or better, a series) that your daughter might like ... perhaps more than one book, so she can try a few out.

Another way to work with your daughter to find what she's interested in is a website like this:
http://www.reading.org/resources/booklists/childrenschoices.aspx

Read through the different annotated lists together and try to find something she likes is reasonably challenging. Since she's in grade 3, perhaps a 3.7 or 3.8 grade-level book (or higher) would be good.

To get better and better at reading, she must read, read, read ... and the only way to get her to do that is to find books and/or stories she's interested in.

I understand your concern as a parent, and I'm here to help. Encouraging your daughter to improve her reading skills can make a big difference. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Communicate with your daughter's teacher: Contact her teacher to discuss the situation and gather more information about your daughter's reading progress. They can provide specific insights and suggest ways to support her.

2. Set aside daily reading time: Designate a quiet, uninterrupted time for your daughter to read every day. Start with short periods and gradually increase the duration. Ensure she has a comfortable reading environment with interesting books appropriate for her reading level.

3. Read aloud with her: Take turns reading aloud with your daughter, alternating paragraphs or pages. This shared reading experience can improve fluency, comprehension, and enjoyment of reading.

4. Encourage reading variety: Expand your daughter's reading horizons by exposing her to different genres, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or magazines. Offer a range of topics that pique her interest to make reading more engaging.

5. Visit the library regularly: Take your daughter to the library and allow her to select books that appeal to her. Library staff can also assist in finding appropriate books based on her interests and reading level.

6. Use comprehension strategies: Teach your daughter strategies to improve her understanding of what she reads. Encourage her to pause while reading to summarize what she has read, make predictions, or ask questions to enhance comprehension.

7. Create a reading routine: Establish a consistent reading routine at home. Make reading a part of her daily schedule, like before bedtime or after dinner. Consistency is key in building good reading habits.

8. Celebrate progress: Recognize and celebrate your daughter's achievements and progress, no matter how small. Offer positive reinforcement and rewards to motivate her and boost her confidence.

Remember, every child learns at their own pace, and with your support and consistent effort, your daughter can make significant progress in her reading skills.