A very gifted reader

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just went to the library when I was a kid. I read everything at home, and we had tons of books, so I then read all of the encyclopedias and Webster's dictionary. I read everything I could read, including the backs of bottles in the bathroom, the ingredients on every box in the kitchen, my dad's GED books (and passed the practice tests when I was really young)....I still read everything. I have almost 3,000 books in my home library, not counting children's books. Just let her read. You'll be shocked at what a difference it will make. I can read somewhere around 1,000 wpm (not sure of the exact number). I have never used a bookmark, and have never turned down the corner of a page. I can have 5 or 6 books going at once, and always know exactly where I am in each one, no matter how long it's been since I read it.

Wow we are so alike! I am an incredibly fast reader (would get in trouble in elementary school because the teachers didn’t believe I could be done) and have also never used bookmarks because my brain basically memorized where I stopped. I truly love books!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let her review books on amazon. It's fun to get other's feedback on your reviews or to see how others have reviewed the same book. Would be kind of cool to maybe someday spin it into a college admissions thing -- she could say that she was reviewed over 1000 books on Amazon or something. They rank people by how many reviews they have written and how helpful they were. She could be the pre-teen harriet Klausner.

+1 I’d focus on leveraging her passion into developing another skill - writing. Reading is great and all, but comprehension, discussion, clearly writing opinion pieces, etc, would greatly benefit her in the long term.

+1

It's great that she likes the challenge of quizzes, but it sounds like she's already doing great with reading comprehension and doesn't need the external validation of getting the "right answers".

Better to help her find a vehicle to think critically about what she's reading. Keeping a reading journal is priceless -- a place for her to reflect and articulate her own thoughts and opinions about a book (backing them up with examples), to compare/contrast her current book with other books, themes, and characters she's encountered, to analyze what she liked and what she didn't and all the other thoughts and feelings that came up for her.

Rather than have it structured for her externally (quizzes to answer, prompts from you), encourage her to create her own prompts or choose what she wants to reflect on and write about. School is sooo structured. Encourage her to pick out her own cool journal (if she wants to handwrite) or set up a file on the computer if she'd rather type. But give her lots of space to shape and direct the course of things as she sees fit.

I promise, you'll be giving a far bigger gift than if you found her more reading comp quizzes. Self-directed learning and critical thinking and analysis skills are so very important, and there's nothing better than developing a more personal relationship with the books we read.

Enjoy!



Encouraging her to do her own analysis and find her own voice is so valuable at this age. Much more so than scoring well on straight up reading comprehension quizzes (which it sounds like she could do in her sleep at this point.)

[Anonymous]

You might find some useful links at Hoagies' Gifted Education Page:

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/books_authors.htm

[Anonymous]

I thought this March Madness Book Bracket idea was a cute one!

Maybe your daughter would want to pick books to create a similar chart and/or involve friends so they could each choose their own "winners" and then compare/discuss.

https://www.weareteachers.com/march-madness-book-bracket/

[Anonymous]

See if you can find a Battle of the Books. Sort of like a reading quiz bowl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does she need to do anything?? It's something she likes, so get her a Kindle, but I don't think reading is really something you can be "gifted" at. Anyone who reads enough will be good at it, and some kids progress faster than others, but it's not really a "gift" so much as just something you learn to do. I was an advanced reader at an early age, too, and frankly it isn't very useful. I now have multiple graduate degrees in literature and I've got to be one of the best readers in the world, and it's a completely useless ability. I think reading early might be an opportunity for her to do other things, since she is able to access information better than others her age. Perhaps it would be more beneficial if she used her ability to learn about another subject or to participate in some interesting activities generally reserved for older kids - i.e. plays (memorizing lines is hard if you can't read them!),

+1
Sorry...I know OP is serious and loves her kid and all. And it's great to be a proud parent.
But I read this post a little while ago and I'm still chuckling at the idea of reading being her "gift"...

Well, to be fair, there are people who are natural speed readers (like 4 novels on a cross country flight), which is a gift. There are also people who remember everything they read (I clerked for a judge who could tell you which page of which volume a particular holding of a case would be found!!). And I know several people who can recite a long quote from a variety of novels at just the perfect moment in a conversation - always freakishly on point and impressive. And many people are so widely read, with impressive memories of what they read, that you will never keep up with them in a conversation about books.

There is such a thing as a gifted reader.

OP: I am really appreciating the conversation.

DD was/is an advanced reader. I don’t think that is a “gift”, although one could argue it does open up opportunities to learn more at an earlier age. DD is also “gifted” per a psychologist. I also don’t think of that as a gift. She’s not a genius, nor is she good at everything (she was tested for LDs). But her ability to read the way she does (prolifically, at high levels, indiscriminately), her love for books, her effortless comprehension and mature analysis... It seems innate. Like a natural talent. Wouldnt we all want our kids to have this? (Not all my kids do.) seems like a gift to me.

It really is her one passion right now. I hate that it’s considered useless. I guess the whole point of this discussion is to figure out how to turn a gift that is a hobby into something more useful and celebrated. I’m hoping it translates to writing or a passion in another subject. I’ll encourage it. Thank you for all the links. I’m looking into everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I mentioned competitions because I am aware of math competitions, but I’ve never heard of reading ones. I did once hear of a mythology competition she would have done well on, but I read about it too late. She qualifies for CTY but the classes are ridiculously expensive. BUT she liked the test. When can she take the ACT/SAT for talent search? Is that 7th?

There are lots of writing contests for kids in the area and nationally, if she enjoys reading for fun, chances are she has thought of many of her own story ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem right now is that she has no patience for writing. She is a good writer IMO, but I think she won’t write steadily until she can type much faster. She has never kept a log for this reason. Her teachers gave her a pass.

Get her some fun blank journals and pens so she can write in them. And get her going with typing practice. BBC has a fun free typing program online (http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr), and then we purchased a program so our kids could become proficient.

[Anonymous]

Millennial parent? I don't understand why everything needs to be a celebration. This is why kids are bullying each other over academics. "Oh you are only a level m reader, haha". Your daughter is a good reader. Fantastic. But so are many many other kids. Reading is something all of us know how to do. Just give her resources (online libraries, weekly trips to the library) etc...Reading should be a relaxing and fun activity. Not a reason to believe you are superior to others.

Not every single interest your child has needs to lend itself to "competitions".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does she need to do anything?? It's something she likes, so get her a Kindle, but I don't think reading is really something you can be "gifted" at. Anyone who reads enough will be good at it, and some kids progress faster than others, but it's not really a "gift" so much as just something you learn to do. I was an advanced reader at an early age, too, and frankly it isn't very useful. I now have multiple graduate degrees in literature and I've got to be one of the best readers in the world, and it's a completely useless ability. I think reading early might be an opportunity for her to do other things, since she is able to access information better than others her age. Perhaps it would be more beneficial if she used her ability to learn about another subject or to participate in some interesting activities generally reserved for older kids - i.e. plays (memorizing lines is hard if you can't read them!),

+1
Sorry...I know OP is serious and loves her kid and all. And it's great to be a proud parent.
But I read this post a little while ago and I'm still chuckling at the idea of reading being her "gift"...

Well, to be fair, there are people who are natural speed readers (like 4 novels on a cross country flight), which is a gift. There are also people who remember everything they read (I clerked for a judge who could tell you which page of which volume a particular holding of a case would be found!!). And I know several people who can recite a long quote from a variety of novels at just the perfect moment in a conversation - always freakishly on point and impressive. And many people are so widely read, with impressive memories of what they read, that you will never keep up with them in a conversation about books.

There is such a thing as a gifted reader.

OP: I am really appreciating the conversation.

DD was/is an advanced reader. I don’t think that is a “gift”, although one could argue it does open up opportunities to learn more at an earlier age. DD is also “gifted” per a psychologist. I also don’t think of that as a gift. She’s not a genius, nor is she good at everything (she was tested for LDs). But her ability to read the way she does (prolifically, at high levels, indiscriminately), her love for books, her effortless comprehension and mature analysis... It seems innate. Like a natural talent. Wouldnt we all want our kids to have this? (Not all my kids do.) seems like a gift to me.

It really is her one passion right now. I hate that it’s considered useless. I guess the whole point of this discussion is to figure out how to turn a gift that is a hobby into something more useful and celebrated. I’m hoping it translates to writing or a passion in another subject. I’ll encourage it. Thank you for all the links. I’m looking into everything.

Honestly . . . why? There is nothing wrong with loving to read. I'm an English professor, so I have made it my life. But I think these things you're doing are more to highlight your daughter's "accomplishment" than because she needs it, or because it helps expand her sense of the world, or lead a richer life, or be a better member of her community, or reflect on things that are important to her, or etc. It frankly seems a bit weird to me. She likes to read. So what if others are in sports or medalling in math olympics? If she has her thing in life, just help her follow her interests and be secure in herself. There is no need to make it into something "useful and celebrated." If you want to encourage creative writing, maybe have her take some creative writing lessons. Poetry. Keep a journal. Write op-eds on issues she cares about. It should be in a particular genre rather than some kind of general "I'm gifted at reading." Reading in itself is nothing, it's what you use it for.

[Anonymous]

Our ES has a book club for 4th graders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does she need to do anything?? It's something she likes, so get her a Kindle, but I don't think reading is really something you can be "gifted" at. Anyone who reads enough will be good at it, and some kids progress faster than others, but it's not really a "gift" so much as just something you learn to do. I was an advanced reader at an early age, too, and frankly it isn't very useful. I now have multiple graduate degrees in literature and I've got to be one of the best readers in the world, and it's a completely useless ability. I think reading early might be an opportunity for her to do other things, since she is able to access information better than others her age. Perhaps it would be more beneficial if she used her ability to learn about another subject or to participate in some interesting activities generally reserved for older kids - i.e. plays (memorizing lines is hard if you can't read them!),

+1
Sorry...I know OP is serious and loves her kid and all. And it's great to be a proud parent.
But I read this post a little while ago and I'm still chuckling at the idea of reading being her "gift"...

Well, to be fair, there are people who are natural speed readers (like 4 novels on a cross country flight), which is a gift. There are also people who remember everything they read (I clerked for a judge who could tell you which page of which volume a particular holding of a case would be found!!). And I know several people who can recite a long quote from a variety of novels at just the perfect moment in a conversation - always freakishly on point and impressive. And many people are so widely read, with impressive memories of what they read, that you will never keep up with them in a conversation about books.

There is such a thing as a gifted reader.

OP: I am really appreciating the conversation.

DD was/is an advanced reader. I don’t think that is a “gift”, although one could argue it does open up opportunities to learn more at an earlier age. DD is also “gifted” per a psychologist. I also don’t think of that as a gift. She’s not a genius, nor is she good at everything (she was tested for LDs). But her ability to read the way she does (prolifically, at high levels, indiscriminately), her love for books, her effortless comprehension and mature analysis... It seems innate. Like a natural talent. Wouldnt we all want our kids to have this? (Not all my kids do.) seems like a gift to me.

It really is her one passion right now. I hate that it’s considered useless. I guess the whole point of this discussion is to figure out how to turn a gift that is a hobby into something more useful and celebrated. I’m hoping it translates to writing or a passion in another subject. I’ll encourage it. Thank you for all the links. I’m looking into everything.

Whatever. I was an early and excellent reader, and it was absolutely a gift. It's been a lifelong source of learning, entertainment, solace, and pleasure. It's different than being "gifted," but it truly has been a gift to me, and I'm thrilled to see my own child develop the same skills and enjoyment of reading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does she need to do anything?? It's something she likes, so get her a Kindle, but I don't think reading is really something you can be "gifted" at. Anyone who reads enough will be good at it, and some kids progress faster than others, but it's not really a "gift" so much as just something you learn to do. I was an advanced reader at an early age, too, and frankly it isn't very useful. I now have multiple graduate degrees in literature and I've got to be one of the best readers in the world, and it's a completely useless ability. I think reading early might be an opportunity for her to do other things, since she is able to access information better than others her age. Perhaps it would be more beneficial if she used her ability to learn about another subject or to participate in some interesting activities generally reserved for older kids - i.e. plays (memorizing lines is hard if you can't read them!),

+1
Sorry...I know OP is serious and loves her kid and all. And it's great to be a proud parent.
But I read this post a little while ago and I'm still chuckling at the idea of reading being her "gift"...

Well, to be fair, there are people who are natural speed readers (like 4 novels on a cross country flight), which is a gift. There are also people who remember everything they read (I clerked for a judge who could tell you which page of which volume a particular holding of a case would be found!!). And I know several people who can recite a long quote from a variety of novels at just the perfect moment in a conversation - always freakishly on point and impressive. And many people are so widely read, with impressive memories of what they read, that you will never keep up with them in a conversation about books.

There is such a thing as a gifted reader.

OP: I am really appreciating the conversation.

DD was/is an advanced reader. I don’t think that is a “gift”, although one could argue it does open up opportunities to learn more at an earlier age. DD is also “gifted” per a psychologist. I also don’t think of that as a gift. She’s not a genius, nor is she good at everything (she was tested for LDs). But her ability to read the way she does (prolifically, at high levels, indiscriminately), her love for books, her effortless comprehension and mature analysis... It seems innate. Like a natural talent. Wouldnt we all want our kids to have this? (Not all my kids do.) seems like a gift to me.

It really is her one passion right now. I hate that it’s considered useless. I guess the whole point of this discussion is to figure out how to turn a gift that is a hobby into something more useful and celebrated. I’m hoping it translates to writing or a passion in another subject. I’ll encourage it. Thank you for all the links. I’m looking into everything.

Whatever. I was an early and excellent reader, and it was absolutely a gift. It's been a lifelong source of learning, entertainment, solace, and pleasure. It's different than being "gifted," but it truly has been a gift to me, and I'm thrilled to see my own child develop the same skills and enjoyment of reading.

It is also far from useless. Simple and kind of obvious examples: my DC reads so fast and with such incredible comprehension that standardized tests take him half the expected time; the reading part of homework is done in minutes so he has tons of time to pursue other things; if he spends the same amount of time on a research project as an average reader, he covers 3x the material. All of this adds up in increasingly significant ways as you get older.

[Anonymous]

Tell her she can't be a writer if she doesn't have the patience to write.

[Anonymous]

Errr, library. My DD was also a gifted reader, I taught her at 3 because she wanted to learn to read like her brother. But honestly there are TONS of kids in this area that are very advanced readers. Just go to the library. Let her read some older classics instead of current books. Why do you want to make this competitive? Weird.