> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elaine Taylor [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2000 6:55 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Need School Advice
>
> Elaine,
>
> >On the reading test she came out on a mid second grade level.
>      But she is second grade - right  - so why is this not okay?  People
> read differently depending on what else is available. I read extensively
> as a child because I lived out in the country where the nearest playmate
> was a gazillion millions away, and TV wasn't a big item back then - so
> consequently I was reading adults book by the time I was 9. Amber after
> she finally got going with reading - then proceeded to read at much higher
> age levels - I could never figure exactly what this meant - other than if
> she was reading 3 grade levels ahead of her grade - we must set standards
> pretty low. And we do - we breed mediocrity here all you have to do is
> watch a little TV to figure that out. Also todays kids are geared towards
> TV. I did us a favor - I got rid of cable and have no antenna. So VCR
> tapes are the extent of TV watching. Amber now reads when she would have
> vegitated in front of the tube. I think having an enforced reading time is
> a good idea. I can't keep Amber in books!! LOL   Also having them chose
> the books is important - the it is something that catches their fancy. I
> think being a good example helps - I have a passion for reading - so Amber
> has always seen someone reading - her Grandfather and Grandmother - ( my
> Mom and Dad) read so when she stays with them she sees reading and then
> discussions on what had been read.
>
>    Anyway does Briana say her difficulty with reading is - Amber fought me
> tooth and nail when I tried to teach her phonetically - but in the end
> that is what worked. Ironically enough I did this to my Mother also - They
> did word recognition when I learned to read - so if I recognized the word
> I could read and if I had never seen it before I couldn't. This is just
> memorizing words not learning to read - and I fought my Mom - I don't want
> to do like they do it in the Old Country. Finally, I gave as did Amber and
> by George - we learned to read by sounding stuff out. I have no idea how
> they are teaching Briana to read but I was appalled when they still did
> the sight recognition thing with Amber. UGH Maybe what she needs is little
> better way to read. I think becasue we have been reading so long we forget
> hat a challenge it is in the beginning and hard it is and don't we all
> avoid the tough stuff if we can.
>
>     I am still curious what Brianna thinks and wants to do - I see no
> reason to not have her in one grade level. You may need to spend time with
> her and her homework. I used to have homework time and we sat a table and
> did homework and I checked it and talked about the stuff.  Elaine - this
> was important - very important - life has proven to me the successful kids
> are the ones who have their adults involved in their lives and school
> stuff. I have seen this starkly shown in the difference between the
> involvment of the parents of the GT kids and the regular ed kids. The
> classrooms on back to school night for the GT classes are full of parents
> with questions, the regular ed clases are sparely attended and the parents
> ask few questions. I am afraid sometime we get so caught up in the
> disability side the regular stuff gets put aside. zI know that I never
> stressed the education I was busy with the disability stuff. That's coming
> back to haunt me, now.
>
>    This is a toughie - sweetie do the best you can - and what your gut
> feeling says. Of all the people you have to have on your side to be
> successful - You are the number one person!! Decide what you feel is right
> and go for it.  I know with two special needs kids you must be wearing
> yourself out - trying to get both of them squared away and loved. Wish I
> could more than send thoughts and love your way.
>
>                                            Brightest Blessings
>                                                 Trisha
>