Thursday, March 16, 2006
Sing it loud, sing it strong
I think I've been subconsciously preparing for St. Patrick's Day all week. I've worn green every day so far. Then again, my timeline is all shot to pieces, so maybe I've thought it was the 17th every day. Alexandra and I traded days early on in the week, so my Tuesday felt like Wednesday, Wednesday felt like Thursday, and so on, and now, it should be Friday--not Thursday--night. Alas and alack, the calender doth not agree with me.
Calgary's beating Edmonton, 2-1. Just thought I'd share. I've been in an ongoing discussion with some fellow Albertans over on the TWoP forums about the game, and Stampede, and the Flames in general, and being White Hatted, and it's been spectacular. And, I'm even wearing the Flames shirt that Doug and the kids got me for Christmas. (but that's because it's what I wear for pyjamas, not because it's a game night)
Random question. Is it just my own personal experience that finds almost-6 really late to be starting to read? Lourenzo is just now starting to identify words, and he still mixes up some of his letters, and I'm not sure if that feels "off" to me because of a different educational system, or because I read freakishly early, or because he may be delayed in reading, or what.
It's normal to be able to read a simple book before starting kindergarten, right? I mean, to me, that's normal. I realize that reading Little House in kindergarten and Nancy Drew in grade 1 may not be, but not being able to read anything until 3/4 of the way through kindergarten is late, right?
It just feels odd to me. But then again, they're not learning phonics--they learn some "whole word" method, where they learn to spell by sounding words out, rather than learning actual phonics. And this, in my opinion, is why the world in general is nothing but deficient when it comes to spelling and grammar. Any of my teacher friends... do/did you learn to teach in this method? What are your thoughts? What does your school system use?
And shouldn't I be at least somewhat concerned that he's not reading yet?
16 Comments:
I'm just going to post my comment on my blog - thanks for the inspiration. :)
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I agree with you - it does seem a little late. I remember when I was in high school, I tutored a little boy in grade 3, because he couldn't read either, but that was a special case - he had been taught, he just wasn't picking it up.
I don't know if it is late. I mean, my son isn't speaking very well yet and the doctor doesn't think he is late. I think people develop at different times. I didn't read my first book until half way through grade one, that may have been late, but now I love to read and have since I have started. I don't know I am kind of a little touchy on this subject. So maybe I am the wrong person to respond to this.
Love you still though,
Kat
okay and to add to my comment, I think what Jen blogged about I agree with. That is what I wanted to say, but lacked the wonderful words too. Thanks Jen for sharing your thoughts. I hope I didn't offend anyone. I love you all.
Kat
Well, my dear,
Not every child reads before kindergarten. Not every child reads in kindergarten. Most, hopefully, do learn to read by or in first grade. You were reading very early. (I wouldn't have said freakishly, because I don't say that, and I don't like the fact that I can't italicize or otherwise emphasize any words here!) This reminds me a little bit of when you used to get frustrated with other kids in school because they couldn't do the math as quickly as you could, and you couldn't understand why.
Keep your standards high--but don't forget that not everyone can or wants to achieve what you think is good. Perhaps one day you, too, will have a child who says, when you expect what seemed quite normal for you and quite achievable by him or her, "Mom, your standards are just too high!" And maybe they are, or maybe not, depending on the kid, the ability, and the willingness to do something with it.
I think I would be interested to read what Jen posted in regards to reading (I assume). Yes, I do think phonics are essential in some form, but I know there are many teachers who teach the other way, too, and probably successfully in some cases. The success doesn't necessarily have to do with the method, but with a variety of things including people--you probably would have learned phonics even if you hadn't had it in school! All the more reason for parents to be aware of what and how their child is being taught, to reinforce that at home, and TO READ TO THEIR CHILDREN EVERY DAY OF THEIR PRESCHOOL LIVES AND BEYOND! (Sorry, I'm not really yelling--if I could bold it I would. See what I mean?!)
Happy pondering!
Love,
Mom
Mom--Jen's blog is linked from mine in the list of blogs in the drop-down menu on the side.
And just to explain my frustration (especially when I was in school)... I remember Mom telling me that some people are more gifted in some things than in other--I can hold my own academically, but I can't play hockey. Which is true. But (in lieu of bolds...) HOCKEY IS NOT AN ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILL! READING IS! Hockey is not crucially important to your success in every other venture you will ever undertake. Reading is. Math, to a certain extent, is. And while I will make allowances and understand the limitations caused by disabilities or different learning styles, I can't understand the thought that reading isn't important.
Not everyone has to love recreational reading, but I find it very, very difficult to sympathize with people who don't do it simply because they just "don't like it." It's far too important to be tossed aside that casually.
I definitely agree with Jen's statement that reading is the single most important skill learned in school, and it frustrates me when it's not treated (by teachers) or appreciated (by students) as such.
For me, that's where the frustration always lay. In my thinking, my peers should have seen that and put more of an effort into reading and math than into hockey. Because in the big picture, gym class didn't matter.
Lida,
As I teacher, I really don't think you want me to get started on this topic of reading, do you? I have kids in grade seven who can barely read and write their names. Wrap your head around that one. And as for not teaching phonics.....I believe that is almost directly resposible for kids not being able to read these days. My brother's teacher tried to teach him whole word reconginition and that other bs and I taught him how to read - by guess what? Sounding out words! Wow, who would have thought. Then he could actually read. I would suggest helping Lourenzo using phonics. It might piss his teachers off because it is not what they teach, but I still make my kids sound out their words.
I could go on forever about this, but it is 10:30 on a Friday night and I am ready for bed.....Sad, I know!
~linds~
Well it looks like we are all on the same page, eh?
The address for my blog is http://jen.jenandmike.ca, in case anyone missed that. I apologize for not linking directly to my post in my comment.
Kat, enjoy the "quiet" moments with your son while you can - my parents said that once I started to talk, I never stopped! :)
Lindsey, I wholeheartly second your comment. I tutored grade 9 kids with learning difficulties in high school, and it was appalling how little they knew. So even though it's hard, keeping going! :)
Mrs. A, I say "hear, hear!" to your comment about parents reading to their kids. You did an amazing job with yours.
And Alida, I agree with you about hockey. It really is a miracle that I can walk, let alone do anything that requires any more coordination. So uncoordinated sisters unite!
Jen
jen.jenandmike.ca
Uncoordination is genetic--you get it from your parents (at least my kids did)! Insanity is also genetic--you get it from your kids. (Just had to throw that in.)
Working with phonics with Lourenzo could be as simple as looking at words together while you read to him (which I assume you do)--it shouldn't have to upset his teacher because she may never know. As long as he knows, it will benefit him! I also think (hope) that some of the "whole word" and "inventive spelling" concepts have a certain "life expectancy." In other words, letting them invent their own spelling when they are five (which you did, too, when you were little, if you remember some of the newspapers you published at ages four and five) does not mean a teacher never teaches spelling or expects a child to learn spelling as they get older.
Anyway, reading is essential and most other school subjects and life skills depend upon it. But students may not be wise or mature enough to realize that (teachers should!), and their parents should take up the cause if they won't do it themselves. Those who don't read for fun lose out on that experience. Teach your children well!
I will look at Jen's blog--thanks.
Happy Reading, everyone! What a nice discussion we've had--aren't you glad you can read it?!
Mom (Mrs. A)
It wasn't until I started working with kids who struggle with reading that I realized just how fundemental it is, and how thankful I am for the ability to do it. It really is a remarkable skill, when you just sit and think about it.
And Mrs. A, I wholeheartedly agree with you about Alida doing some basic phonics with Lourenzo and about how creative spellings, etc. usually take their course. I just think that sometimes the education system and parents are too lenient in realizing what is a problem and what isn't. The first two or three times are fine, but if the child can't spell a word a year later, there is likely a problem.
Have a good weekend, everyone!
Jen
You can actually use bold and italics here. To do that, put the text you want bolded in between a < b > and < /b >, and use < i > and < /i > for italics. You have to get rid of the spaces; I only put them in because if I didn't, the text in between would be bolded or italicized, instead of showing you what the tags are.
Thanks, Mike--
Both Alida and Justin told me that, too, with HTML, which I don't know. I guess I could learn--I will refer to this if/when I need to. Or I could just YELL!
Mrs. A
All I have to say that yelling at your daughter's friends about the importance of reading is a little humourous... I suppose Alida would be wise to not post about anything *really* controversial or we'll all have to watch out for the wrath of Mrs. A, right? Should I invest in virtual ear plugs?
Jen
(sorry to poke a bit of fun at your expense, Mrs. A - I hope I'm not offending you, and if so, I do apologize!) :)
Hey, I can take it! (I have a thick skin--I'm a mom, remember?) Besides, some of my children say that I "intimidate" their friends, so maybe I just have to keep up my reputation! (They would also have to admit, however, that this kind of "yelling" would be the only kind I have ever done to their friends.)
By the way, Kathy, one more comment on the reading thing, and then I think we've exhausted this topic. I have had lots of kids come through my S.S. class who didn't really talk much or very well by the time they were two (and Jakob isn't even two yet). Kids are so different, and develop at different rates. If the dr. isn't worried, I wouldn't think you have reason to be, either, at this point. One of these days he will burst forth and you won't know what happened! (Even Carl didn't talk much before he was two, and look at him now! We always said it was because he didn't need to--the girls talked for him!)
Stay alert and if, in another year, he is still not talking, then you might be concerned, but I bet that won't be the case. When you're a new mom, you don't know from experience, do you, what's normal, so it's easy to wonder about things. In the meantime, keep talking and reading to him, so he knows that language is important and has an example of it in front of him. He takes in far more than he can put out, language-wise, at this age. I have learned that over 20+ years of teaching toddlers!
Just a thought to encourage you!
Mrs. A
Lids,
I was like you. A freakishly early reader. In grade one I was diagnosed as Gifted... I read at a Grade Six level.... I couldn't figure out why others couldn't keep up or read out loud with trouble or just didn't know how. I was so far ahead that I finished all my readers and was on chapter books etc. In Grade One....
I am of the mind set that kids should be read too in Utero. Doesn't matter what it is... I didn't learn through Phoenics either. I learnt through that whole word method...hence the reason Exodus,.... was X-EEE- DOUGH-DEE-US.... HA HA!!!
Just make sure you make Lourenzo read to you out loud as often as you can make him.That should help. At six my dad would have me read to him and the only reason he read to me (and sometimes still does)is cause I love being read to or told a story to fall asleep too. I often thought he was too slow reading so I would read to him!
Don't stress but IMO six is late
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