thanks Tammy, I won’t give up. We work with phonics and long vowel books right now and then we’re reading Hunger Games together. Sometimes I read to him, sometimes I have him read and to keep the flow I pronounce the words immediately that are too big for him. Just gets him familiar with reading and hearing a story.
I do feel that once they find something interesting to read it helps alot.
That is how I teach reading. Sounds like you are doing great.
Make sure to go over prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Make a game out of it. Pick a good root word and see how many different combinations you can make with them and how the word changes in meaning. It will give them context and understanding. For example, pandemonium. Pan meaning all, ium meaning building or home, all demons home. Language can be beautifully structural, which appeals to logical learners, not just ethereal for the creative learners.