Comments on: Got any ideas for this reading teacher?

By: Crimson Wife

Crimson Wife — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

What about enrolling the student in a distance learning class like the "Reading and Writing About Literature" course offered by Stanford's Educational Program for Gifted Youth?

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

My son is a 5th grader in a similar situation. A 6th grade program is not going to be enough. This child does not need a “program”–he already knows how to read. A “program” will turn this kid off to school forever. Turn him loose on some classic age-appropriate literature. Have him read it and write about what he’s learned. This is what my teachers did with me all through school–don’t think I ever did a “program” with the other kids. It was always just me and a book.

By: susan

susan — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

I spoke to my principal today about the responses I have received. I have never worked with this student and truly do now know him well. My principal told me he is not motivated to work alone and if we “let him loose in the library” as one of the blogs suggested he would do absolutely nothing. I like the idea of Junior Great Books, I looked at some of the titles and I hope they are not too sophisticated. I understand your comment about “a thorn in his young teacher’s side”. I like kids with spunk; however, this student has thrown desks across the room and either in anger or frustration has taken hardback textbooks and ripped them to threads. This past year in fourth grade those behaviors greatly diminished. I am not going to be the person working with him. Nevertheless, I have worked with his younger sibling and I know his family and I want to be helpful if I can.I may not be the best or the most experienced teacher but in my heart I want to help every child I can reach their potential. I know this sounds sappy, but that is why I an asking for easy help. I can’t create a program or monitor him on the computer, but I can try to set something up that his teacher can use to supplement whatever they are doing in class.

By: Michael Doyle

Michael Doyle — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Perhaps I was too snarky–I think your zip code comment may have lit up that part of my brain.

His IQ is irrelevant here–he reads better than his peers, he’s bored, that’s what matters.

You are the school’s remedial reading teacher, so I understand why you are looking at him through that lens.

The goal is to continue his formal education, to develop higher level thinking skills and to improve his writing skills.

I’m all for “formal education”–still, what are your goals? I agree that improving his writing and higher level skills are great aims. You were focusing on one-on-one literature programs with your initial post, again, fine, but my advice, fwiw, focused on that–let him read what he wants to read.

The inexperience of the teacher is not the child’s problem, or should not be–at least so long as we’re pretending to be professionals.

Is your primary goal to prevent disruption? (Helping the child to reach his potential while minimizing classroom disruptions are not, of course, mutually exclusive aims–even in city schools. I think it’s a fair question.)

By: Candace Hackett Shively

Candace Hackett Shively — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Put my comments in a long post here: http://blog.teachersfirst.com/thinkteach/2009/08/28/severely-and-profoundly/

By: Hadass Eviatar

Hadass Eviatar — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Wow, that’s my son you must be talking about (no, I know it isn’t ). Love reading all the suggestions, and I’ll keep watching!

By: susan

susan — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

His teacher was hired two days ago and this student has a history of being very disruptive. The goal is to continue his formal education, to develop higher level thinking skills and to improve his writing skills. I was told his IQ is over 160. Nevertheless, he is still a child and will benefit from instruction.

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Please tell me more about this program, who is the publisher?

By: monika hardy

monika hardy — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

i think following the blog of a favorite author or recommended authors would be huge.

your comment: As you can see I can never find anything on the Internet and I want to help this student reach his full potential.

to me just now – reaching his full potential means he can find what he wants on the internet – in order to reach his full potential.

there’s got to be some bloggers out there that would intrigue his brilliant young mind.

i have a similar student – who i just hooked up with an amazing – very-giving man via twitter. i’m imagining some stimulating conversation at first – followed by ongoing exchanges of fine reading via links they share.

i liked meghan’s idea of writing as well.

wishing you well. applaud you for not settling.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

There are a lot of great ideas here. Helping him find good books at his level that he can read and you can conference about several times a week one-on-one would be great for him.

I think the Junior Great Books program that was mentioned by another would also be good. Other kids could be involved in it as well giving him an opportunity to work with his age-peers, even if they aren’t reading at his level. You could use the grade level books for it because the discussion about the texts is what matters the most.