Fluency Is an Important Reading Skill

My second-grader's vocabulary is above the sixth-grade level, and his math is in the 95th percentile. However, his reading fluency is not up to grade level. The school put him in a reading help program without asking me. I think they should have asked. He actually said: "I don't think I'm very smart" -- augh! How can I change his attitude? What about what the school did? -- Poor Reading Skills
Answer: The earlier children get special help to improve any weaknesses in their reading skills, the more likely they will become good readers. The teacher had the right idea but should have discussed placing your son in the reading help program before she did. You know your child and could have told her what his reaction might be. Then you and the teacher could have worked together on explaining the benefits of this special help to him. Your son probably was already aware that he was having some problems with reading.
Your son is obviously a very bright child. Now, point out that reading involves many skills -- a good vocabulary is certainly one of them. You also need to explain to him the importance of fluency. This is the ability to read material quickly and accurately. Fluent readers recognize words and comprehend them at the same time. Less fluent readers may focus their attention on figuring out words so they have little attention left for comprehending the text. Or they may recognize words automatically but not have learned to read with expression.
Fortunately, there are effective techniques to improve fluency. Your son should be reading and rereading a text aloud until he can do so fluently. However, before he reads any text the first time, you must model how it should be read to him. You may have to model a passage more than once. Be sure to break the material down into small passages (perhaps a paragraph).
Making good progress in improving his fluency will rapidly build his confidence in his abilities. Keep improving these skills this summer by having him do repeated oral reading of a text for you.