Try speaking with his teacher, my sister is a 3rd grade teacher and i have a kindergartener and 6th grader and the teachers have an abundance of techniques and even apps you can download on your tablet to help him. We use ABC mouse on a regular but the teacher can set up tutoring for extra support. Dont take any of this personally. Kids learn at their own pace and with this remote learning and hard on everyone including the children
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Def get him tested… but also the reading eggs app is fun for kids and helps a lot… also get some level a book and have him read it 3 times a night with help until he can read it with out help then move on to new book.
The school failed him not you Just take it one day at a time It will come to him with love and patience
He can catch up
Make reading fun and real. Read road signs. Help you with recipes. Read labels
Use 3x5 cards, start with family names. Add familiar words snow, bike, toy, book
Label things in the house, dishes, towels, bed, books, shoe. Let him know this is because you love him so much that you are now his private teacher. And you are going to do this together. Banish anyone who makes one negative remark.
One other fun idea
Write the word on a tray with syrup or chocolate syrup spread on it. This is kinesthetic and reinforces the word.
Sing a word out, spelling
You must take some responsibility here and not just blame the school - excuses or not, you should be reading with him most days, it’s a huge reason homework is sent home - to engage the parents in the child’s learning. That said, it’s great you’re super keen to get on top of it - working through phonics is a great place to start, read with him every night… sight word cards, sounding out - lots of positive reinforcement and patience and he will improve. Absolutely get him tested and access any support available - the app Reading Eggs is great to start with
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Have a word of the day. Write out. Use word all day.
Build vocabulary a few words at a time
Write short stories for him. He can read them back. Use computer paper. Make a book of the stories. In this way the child is motivated and the stories have meaning
Books with bigger text may help, also try printing off some text on green paper ( mild green, not to bright not to dark, a nice middle ground)
I really hope you read this as these will help
Also if green doesn’t help try blue or red paper.
It will help reduce the amount the words move around
I’d be sueing the school. Start with small books as if he were in kindergarten. Short books like brown bear brown bear were easy starters 4 my 5 year old. she is only half way through school but can now read short books mostly on her own. I also got an app it’s literally called educational puzzles that helped her learn some basic words. If u have the time start with note cards write a word and glue pictures 2 the back. Have him help u make these. Hes 8 he may not enjoy it as much as my 5 year old did but it really helped her with the visual/ hands on learning.
Yes start with small words like cat dog and the phonics will help a lot maybe flash cards. The school should be ashamed for letting him fall through the cracks!
I would get his eyes checked as well. I just found out that my 7 year old’s refusal to read is because she has such bad vision in her left eye she is practically blind. She never told us she was having problems.
I would also look into a developmental psychologist for all learning disabilities n
Do flash cards during meals. It can be a family bonding thing. Find phonic games on pintrest. Dollar store had cheap easy work books
Advocate for him and be his voice!!! My mother did it for me and I learn to do it for myself. I was diagnosed with dyslexia at seven. I didn’t want to go to school one day, my mother said, and I told her the other children made fun of me because I couldn’t read. I have a master’s degree marriage and family therapy and getting my Ph. D in special education to help other child. I was also later as an adult diagnosed with ADHD, which is common to be diagnosed with dyslexia. I was at risk as a child but never affected my school. It did impair my ability to work. ADHD will make my grammar and spelling worst. A bright future is still ahead will motivate and encourage. Don’t give up, stay strong he will need you 
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I pulled my 2 out this year and started homeschooling. My 8 year old who should have been at a 3rd grade level was at a Kinder/1st grade level. She has since moved up and is almost at a 3rd grade level. I write that to say. HS was the best decision I’ve ever made for them. She didn’t even know the months of the year.
I’m going through the same thing my kid is 10 school knew there was problems from beginning I had to get a lawyer involved
Subtitles on the TV Ive had a couple people tell me that’s how they learned to read.
He will definitely catch up … keep reading to him. keep reading the same book over and over again for a week. Pointto every word that you read to him and he’ll catch on and He will start reading back to you… and get a book that is for his age grade level…
Start at the very basics, the alphabet, the sounds of the letters. Small 3 letter words. Try to make it fun, so he won’t become detached to reading.
He will absolutely catch up!!! Start by reading every day to him , also the same books so he can remember the story and connect the words he sees!
Don’t say he will never catch up you need to make it a priority even if it’s 10 minutes at a time sound it out with him start small and work your way up !
Insist on helping! Schools are pathetic!
Label everything! Sticky notes will be your best friend. Any individual item label. Label. Label.
I tell my patients that everyone is wired differently. Once you figure out the wiring it will not only makes sense but give you a direction as to how to help him learn best.
Recommend he be tested for both visuals and auditory processing disorders. We see this all the time in my office and often find both disorders impacting a child’s ability to learn to read.
Get him some comic books. There usually aren’t many words and the pictures can help keep him interested. There are kids books available.
Go to your primary care doctor. Ask him for a neuropsych evaluation. It will text dyslexia and many other things. I did the same with my daughter. She had a processing problem along with ADD. We did meds for ADD until she learned how to self correct(about 2 1/2 yrs). She spent about 5 years in a Dyslexia program to reteach her brain. She is now a Sophomore and an all A student in mostly honors/pre-AP classes. He can totally get past this. It was work, but you can do it. 
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There’s a ton of videos on letter sounds with movements. Start there! The more kids do movements with both hands, working both sides of the brain; the easier it is to retain the information. Even if you make them up yourself (A-Apple. Cup hands like youre eating an apple etc…) Songs also help make it fun and easier to remember. You always want to start with letter sounds so as they’re learned they can be grouped. Many kids have a hard time with this. One of my twin girls almost 10, still has a hard time remembering letter sounds. Where as my 5 year old can read. Try to not take it to heart. But, definetly figure out why this was missed and not addressed.
My daughter was the same way for years finally a friend who homeschooled all of her children told me ty o read newberry award winning books outloud together it helped her so much pretty soon I was reading a page then she would read a page now 4 years later and I cannot keep a book out of her hands!!!
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Please comment what school is not doing their job for these kids. What schools?
My daughter was a bit younger, but had something very similar to this. The school she goes to was persistent in every report card. At home we’d read together and when I tried getting her to read I found I got frustrated because I thought we were making progress. So, I decided at home to read the same book every night until she could read it on her own. Once she could read a book loud and clear to me, we’d move on to the next book. I’m ashamed that I got frustrated with her, but I’m also glad that she is now remarkable at reading. She’s just about 9 years now and I couldn’t be prouder. Homeschooling is hard. I did remote learning with my kids last year for a few months and reading and writing was an important topic. Oof, hard to part being a teacher by day, and mom by night. I believe you will know exactly what to do once you’ve taken a big breath in and out. Not suggesting meditation, but just relax and you’ll feel what is right. Watch him read. Point to words and read them together. Get him to copy you after you read one sentence. I’m real sorry to hear the school was keeping him behind. It can definitely be embarrassing being behind in a subject, but I also bet he will catch up to his friends/ classmates 
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Have his eyes checked, get him evaluated for dyslexia, and get hooked on phonics and start from the very beginning. It will be ok. And he absolutely can catch up with the right help, support, and patience.
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Just be happy you caught it now!! 
Jolly Phonics
It’s British English but download it to see its features then get an American English version, if need be 
Our first grade curriculum is based on the app which we use in class!
P.s, go according to the order they use; not a - b - c as they have an order to assist with word building 
I was having problems with both of my youngest sons and I found that it helps to let him pick out the books he wants to read and then sit and sound out the words with him.
How do you not notice that your child can’t read!? Do you not do homework with them? Do they not do their reading at home? The school definitely hasn’t done the damage here. Dyslexia can be picked up on if you’re reading and writing with your children.
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Maybe try books with the pictures and words the same so for example dog and a picture. This might help. Good luck xx
Teachers only start with the learning process with a child, its the parent/s who continue it. And its starts well before school age. I am still amazed that this is an eight year old and only now the parent realizes that he can’t read? Just what have you been doing these part 4-5 years that you missed this? Luckily this can be remedied but it will require parental input to a very large degree. I’d also be looking into his other subjects since most require reading skills to understand the topic.
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Get a leapfrog book kit. We bought one for our son and I think it’d help in this situation.
My mom got me reading early on different book series, P.B.S. had Sesame Street books for the letters. There were 20 in all, also dr soose, my favorite was 1 fish 2 fish red fish blue fish. I used them to help all my niece and nephew, just make it fun and be patient with them. There are alot of books for kids to read and you can also find lots at your local library.
I’m so sorry to hear this. So many mixed emotions
My daughter was like this as well. She was even held back in kindergarten because of it. It took a year and a half to figure out she needed glasses. Now she is in 3rd grade and all caught up.
Mama your a great mama 
just keep working with him. Put 2-3 letter words around the house and make a game of it. Like go find go or out. My almost 10 year old was behind on reading because of a learning disability. Hell get there I promise
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Hooked on phonics is a really good program. Good luck❤
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Try flashcards and make a game out of it. Maybe give small pieces of candy or dollar store items as a reward for getting a certain number correct.
I’m not trying to bash at all I’m just wondering how you wouldn’t have realized your 8 year old can’t read ? In the most non-judgemental way possible my 8 year old reads things all around us all day long… from stuff on the tv to names of places we drive by.
The only thing I could offer advice wise is to make sure you get his hearing tested. A lot of kids go undiagnosed as having hearing issues and therefore struggle to pick up the pronunciation of letters. Good luck, kids learn fast when the right time and effort is put into their learning
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read to him, read with him! Don’t feel bad he will eventually catch up. Remember, you are seeking for advice and that says something great about you as a parent Ask him to choose books to read together I am getting my toddler the leap frog reader to help him he is behind on his speech
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I’m not judging, but he has never read a book to you. At anytime.
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Sending virtual support and love
Put the closed caption on the TV.
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I was told that the schools goals are lower due to how everything has been. So, one grade level behind at this point in time. A 3rd grader reading at a 2nd grade level is the goal 
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Make an appointment with the UAB pediatric eye center. My daughter had some undiagnosed eye issues which were not discovered until 4th grade. We saw Christine Hopkins. After ‘vision’ therapy she reads great. I think the number is 975-2020
My brother has brain surgery when he was 7. He had to be re learn many things reading was one of them. We labeled things around the house to help him. Chair, table etc. There are many ways to help
Leap reader with the pen
Have him try writing down the story youre reading while youre reading it to help him understand the words
I’m not attacking but he never read to you in kindergarten or first grade? My daughter couldn’t read well after leaving catholic school. So 2nd grade she was in Title 1 and after Christmas she was a fluent reader. She’s now in 7th!
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Label everything in your house and make it a game to find a chair or something and spell it. Read at snack time to him and before bed. Flash cards from the dollar tree helped my now three year old learn. I made a big poster board with our names and the alphabet for her room to get her familiar with letters. I also use closed captions on our TV.
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Start with simple books and let him read to you. Help sound out words if needed, encourage and praise.
She also had title 1 at the catholic school when she was in 1st.
Comics and Boxcar Children…really helped my son…I read pointing at the word and would take a sip of water…he’d read a few words while I drank…then I’d have to pee and he’d read out loud when I peed… I’d drink more than I needed and take longer to pee than needed.
Make it fun instead of a chore and never rely on teachers
Always supplement at home
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I’m not trying to bash but Damn women you should have known before this. Why wasn’t you doing homework with him and also shame on the teachers I refuse to let them push my child through school like that.
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Best advice i ever got was from my big brother. Just stretch the word out and sound it out
Make a game out of learning
I used to put words on the stairs n let my daughter say them n move up a step or write words with chalk or the hose pipe to make it fun xx
We do a trade off my sin was struggling with reading we did word games and he cant touch electronics without reading a book first we also make him read outloud to our cat or dog so he doesn’t feel pressured by getting a word wrong at nite we read a story together taking turns each reading a page I got comic books ger books about things he likes if its something he is interested in he will pay attention more
Curious George, Dr Seuss, comics, if you can find the old Dick and Jane primers
have him read to family pets or newborn volenteer at a shelter to read to them
You tube read alongs
Find out about the science of reading. Regardless of whether he has an official diagnosis of dyslexia, I’d get him started ASAP. No time to lose. If you can afford a tutor who uses an orton and gillingham approach, then do it. If you can’t, then there are loads of Facebook groups that will help.
Forget about the past. Now you know. Now it’s time to act. You’ve got this Momma!
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You reading to him regularly will also help. he will get to know the stories and recognize simple words. You are helping him now, so it is a blessing we have home schooling and you found out about this. Don’t be hard on yourself. read to him and with him as much as you can, and start maybe with some flash cards with photos of basic words. dont worry about him being behind, everyone learns at a different rate and a differnt way.
How are you just now figuring that out? You don’t practice at home?
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My son was like this in the end of 1st grade, he couldn’t read. The teacher lied and said he was slightly behind. He was tested for his reading level in 2nd grade and his new teacher called me into a meeting because he was at a beginning kindergarten level. I brought him to his pediatrician and he was evaluated for add. He is not hyper or impulsive at all so I never thought to consider this. He was put on meds and went from a d reading level to an m in 6 months.
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Start with sight words,put them on flash cards,make sight word books,repetitive study of sight words sounding them out,picking them out when said,.
It’s possible that the school isn’t lying. When we had to start doing distance learning, my stepdaughter who was in kindergarten would act like she didn’t know her alphabet or would say she forgot. Like we would try and get her to do it on her own with us by her side and she would just refuse, but I knew for a fact she knows her alphabet and numbers. I even talked with her teacher and she laughed and said that she did know all these things and was one of her top students. Sometimes kids just play you lol
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Should have started when he was 2 you don’t read to him? Or have him read to you. Like when he was little not schools fault you need to help teach your child too.
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Take a deep breath, you’ve got this. I commend you for recognizing the problem and looking for help. Take the time to have your son tested for reading disabilities. After the screening you can make a plan. This process is long and frustrating, don’t give up. Visit your local library. You will be surprised how helpful a librarian can be:) I will recommend graphic novels. It’s the new version of a comic book. The books are thick and look grown up but the text is short. Reading is not just in novels but also cookbooks, menus, signs…
I use a program called lalilo, it is great for phonics and base reading skills. I set up a teacher account and it lets me monitor the kids progress and see what they’re struggling with and what they understand. It’s also awesome because they can play it like a game.
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Let him read something fun maybe something he is interested in this helps my son is in 7th and has issues in the beginning he is ok now just a teen and doesn’t want to and I read with him sometimes
Are there any tutoring centers near you? I’m sure he could catch up to his peers. Kids are sponges when they’re taught the way they learn! And good for you for catching it now and getting on the road to fixing it.
How do you not know? Read with your children!
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Have you had his eyes tested,
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Turn on captions, worked like magic with my kid
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“no bashing”… Proceeds to bash/blame the school and teachers. Your son is 8 and the most accountability you took for yourself was that he made excuses as to why he wouldn’t read at home and you just accepted it and moved on? That’s YOUR CHILD. The school may absorb some fault but you, as his mother, should have known well before now. Your heart is broken…yet there seems to be a pretty big red flag regarding the attention you pay your kid…
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Dont blame the teachers… reading starts at home. You should have really been more involved with your child’s reading skills but now they’re “lying” to you. Hes probably on track with where they need him to be.
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Don’t be putting pressure on yourself 2 of use take your time:blue_heart:learn what’s best for both u an him as use are in this together…take him 2 the shop let him pick a book…little reading games on YouTube our put a app on his iPad?
All my kids had issues with reading. When I notice I had my kids tested for an IEP in reading. Once they got the extra help in school and at home with me. They took off. it takes time but don’t ever think they can’t get back on track with the other kids in their grade. All my kids are now A-B students and are doing great. Just keep working.
They start reading in kindergarten. I think 3rd grade is kinda late to find out he can’t read. Kinda confusing… I don’t mean to sound judgmental at all. Definitely get him a tutor, maybe a eye exam. Read to him every night & make it fun!!
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Sorry, but how did this critical info blow over your head for almost a decade??
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Try reading eggs, they have fast phonics, and my kids love them. Good luck. I’m sorry the system has failed you.
My daughter has an IEP number due to being behind on her reading. They think she has a mild form of dyslexia. She’s reading a year behind all the others right now. And that’s only because she gets extra help reading/writing/spelling during school. Shes made great progress so far. Dont be too hard on yourself. Its not your fault. Some kids have a harder time. Its nothing you have done wrong. So relax and breathe. It’s tough but not impossible
Read together go to library and get small books with 2- 3 words on page. Write out the alphabet and work on sounds. Have him help you write out grocery list …download learning games on tablet or phone.
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Phonics, phonics, and more phonics.
Teach your monster to read. This is an app to help children with reading and is used in education.
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She’s already hurting herself over mistaking that her son was okay. Why are any of you contributing to that?
Maybe she is poor and works 2 jobs and just doesn’t have time to read to him. Seems like she tried to get him to read but he keeps making excuses. Seems like the school lied. As a parent you need to be able to trust the school you go to and unfortunately she trusted the wrong people.
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Your bashing the school but yet how did you as his parent not know he couldn’t read do you not do home work with him or read with him
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I’m kind of confused how as a mother, your just now realizing he can’t read… as parents, we can’t put all the weight of teaching on the teachers. Learning starts at home.
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You can simply start reading with him. No shame in that, what’s done is done. Now start something with him and maybe make it less time before bed or when it’s best for both of you. Reading with them is very helpful because they see the words, see and hear you and how its suppose to sound.
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My kid’s teachers use an app called Raz kids which has the levelled readers in a digital platform. They gave us the login info to use at home, and he’s already gone from one level to the next since the beginning of the month.
It reads the book to him, and then he reads it to me and then he does a quiz about the book when we’re done. It can also record him reading and allows him to listen to it when done to hear himself.
I also have flask cards up on my wall of all the words they have on the word wall in his class.
I’ve also used Pinterest for suggestions
Good luck mama! 
Please check out the Carden school in Mission Viejo. The Carden system specializes in reading, comprehension, and grammar - especially in the early grades. I hope you will give them a call.
Not trying to be rude but as a mother I can’t understand how you wouldn’t know he couldn’t read. In kindergarten they start sight words and as a parent teaching starts at home. I’m just confused how you didn’t know. Everything isn’t the schools fault. 
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In kindergarten and first grade I went over sight words every night with both my children. Who was doing this with this child?
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So, i got my daughter tested for dyslexia and she doesn’t have it. She was behind on her sight words on kindergarten and 1st grade. She did have to get ear tubes, so i do think hearinh was a huggee part. She is in 2nd grade snd started on e reading level. I knew she struggled, but not how bad until we started homeschool. I honestly, got those reading books on Amazon. Abc reading level ones. We read 3 a day. This has been going for over a year niw. Today, she tested in her Google classroom reading class and she is on a j reading level. I was patient with her, i put subtitles on the tv so she saw words while watching tv, i put you tube reading videos on tv everydsy. I also, let her get a few games on her tablet. She had to read to play, so she worked harder at it so she could beat the games lol. She still struggles, but definitely not as bad as she did last year. No more crying over what was, now show him and yourself that yall together can make reading fun again. I also. Didnt read to her as much as i should’ve as a child, with work and house chores and 2 other kids i just didn’t have time. We all parent different. No need to feel ashamed, you now know he needs help and you are making the difference to give that to him! Stay focused and you will get him to were he needs to be. We also, do a program called lexia it works wonders
My son was a late reader, they wanted to hold him back, I used the Hooked On Phonics program, we did it everyday, made it fun, he learned to read on summer vacation.