Anonymous
12/25/2014 11:21
Subject: What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
Why don't you assign her extra projects related to her books at home. That will help with writing and analysis that is appropriate for 6 th graders.
Anonymous
12/25/2014 10:52
Subject: What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
Anonymous wrote:The difference in advanced vs on grade level reading really begins to even out as they get older. For now, I would just make sure that your child has plenty of access to good, interesting books and make sure that they (at least occasionally) are choosing books that are just a little bit above their current level
This is not always the case. Plenty of students continue to make gains. Have you ever heard of the Matthew effect? I teach in a Title One school and most of the students beginning in kindergarten know very little in terms of academic language, early math concepts, phonemic awareness, etc. Most of them learn this within the nest few years but their peers at my son's school have know this for years before starting kindergarten. Very few of the students at my school ever "catch up" to those students at my son's school.
Anonymous
12/25/2014 10:33
Subject: What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Eh, my 6th grader reads at a 12th Grade Level, according to her Lexile.
She goes to the library at lunch.
What do you think is supposed to be "done." She needs to just read the books she's interested in.
Is it THAT important to you that her achievement (which isn't exactly unusual in these parts) be acknowledged at every turn? What do you want -- intense book clubs?
It is not about acknowledgement, but I want to make sure she is reaching her potential and her reading instruction is not stagnant.
Sometimes parents look at a book their child is reading and think that is their reading level. Many children read books above their reading level and make mistakes along the way. This is fine, this is how they continue to grow as readers. However, a child's reading level is based on what level they can read without mistakes AND be able to accurately answer questions regarding what they read. Pace or rate is another factor that can decrease a readers score. More often then not, a child's reading level as determined by testing is lower (sometime significantly so) than the level of books they are reading. Mastery is the reading level the teacher will tell you, not the one they are currently learning to read (emergent).
It may not be that your child's teacher is "denying" your child's reading level. It may be that your child is reading books at home that are three level above her mastery level.
Anonymous
12/25/2014 10:31
Subject: What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
The difference in advanced vs on grade level reading really begins to even out as they get older. For now, I would just make sure that your child has plenty of access to good, interesting books and make sure that they (at least occasionally) are choosing books that are just a little bit above their current level
Anonymous
12/25/2014 10:24
Subject: What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
My DS8 is an advanced reader- we did discover that his comprehension was not on par with his mechanical ability. He has great story recall and excellent fluency which put him about two years above grade level.
Depending on your daughter's age, you might want to start books that require more inference/abstract understanding- for instance, books that are character-driven. Ask questions about the character- how they started, how they changed, challenges, relationships, etc. Making these connections is the gateway to higher understanding and analysis.
Many kids (even "good" readers) don't push on to more complex narrative and themes, and can tend to plateau once the books become more complex and reliant on higher reasoning. It's the "Harry Potter" dilemma that was discussed a few months back. There's a lot of depth to the series- it can be enjoyed superficially, but more appreciated if a reader truly understand the characters and story arc.
Hope this was helpful.
Depending on your daughter's age, you might want to start books that require more inference/abstract understanding- for instance, books that are character-driven. Ask questions about the character- how they started, how they changed, challenges, relationships, etc. Making these connections is the gateway to higher understanding and analysis.
Many kids (even "good" readers) don't push on to more complex narrative and themes, and can tend to plateau once the books become more complex and reliant on higher reasoning. It's the "Harry Potter" dilemma that was discussed a few months back. There's a lot of depth to the series- it can be enjoyed superficially, but more appreciated if a reader truly understand the characters and story arc.
Hope this was helpful.
Anonymous
12/25/2014 10:17
Subject: Re:What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
Anonymous wrote:
If your child is already a decent writer, a daily journal is great to keep her practicing. Have her practice her keyboarding skills too. Since she is such a great reader already, you can concentrate on other skill sets she will need.
How are her math skills? I would concentrate on the areas where your child needs relative help. Taking her to science museums and history museums are also excellent adventures and appeal to children of all levels.
ITA with this advice.
My DD has consistently tested as an advanced reader (at least 5 grade levels above her grade-based-on-age) but her writing (and spelling) needed lots of work. She also needed to strengthen her math skills. So we worked with her teachers each year to find age-appropriate reading at an advanced level, combined with more challenging math and much practice with writing, as well as spelling.
Anonymous
12/25/2014 10:14
Subject: What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
I was told my DS reads 3 levels above his grade. Don't believe it! But if it's true according to some measurement then it's time to raise the levels and he would be right at 2nd grade level or maybe 3rd.
I don't need him to take his reading any further right now but concentrate on writing, spelling and retelling a story. He is all over the place when I have him tell me what he reads. I couldn't even guess the story he read based of his retelling.
I don't need him to take his reading any further right now but concentrate on writing, spelling and retelling a story. He is all over the place when I have him tell me what he reads. I couldn't even guess the story he read based of his retelling.
Anonymous
12/25/2014 10:11
Subject: What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
There are ao many things that can be done and interventions for underperforming kids, maybe OP wanted to know if there was any similar structure in place for high performing ones. Not such a crazy question.
Anonymous
12/25/2014 10:08
Subject: What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
I was reading at an 8th grade level in 3rd grade. I don't remember which measure that was . I remember in elementary school there was the "easy" and "hard" reading group, but that's about it.
I am a middle school teacher (but content other than ELA). In our school, kids have an assigned reading level A-Z that they are tested for, and available books at those levels. However, for most of class they read and analyze the same text as they're learning specific strategies or content.
Really, based on your school, you may not be that out of the ordinary.
I am a middle school teacher (but content other than ELA). In our school, kids have an assigned reading level A-Z that they are tested for, and available books at those levels. However, for most of class they read and analyze the same text as they're learning specific strategies or content.
Really, based on your school, you may not be that out of the ordinary.
Anonymous
12/25/2014 10:05
Subject: Re:What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
For books, Newberry Award winners and runners up are a great place to start for 4th grade and up. A few are good for younger, but they require a higher level of emotional maturity, experience and understanding. You don't say the age of your child, so I cannot make any suggestions. The vast majority would not be appropriate for a child in 2nd grade or younger, no matter their reading ability.
For children whose reading ability has not caught up with their intellectual ability, audio books are great. The ability to read doesn't always correlate to intellectual ability, there are some great readers who are average and below average in the smarts department and there are some poor readers who are off the charts regarding IQ- and everything in between. Same goes for the ability to grasp the early math facts (the rote stuff like multiplication tables). Sometimes parents of small children confuse the ability to read early and do math facts as intellect, when they are lower level skill sets and foundational skills needed to access the higher levels of thinking and understanding.
If your child is already a decent writer, a daily journal is great to keep her practicing. Have her practice her keyboarding skills too. Since she is such a great reader already, you can concentrate on other skill sets she will need.
How are her math skills? I would concentrate on the areas where your child needs relative help. Taking her to science museums and history museums are also excellent adventures and appeal to children of all levels.
School is not the only place for your child to learn. It never has been. Parents should provide the plurality of the education for their children.
For children whose reading ability has not caught up with their intellectual ability, audio books are great. The ability to read doesn't always correlate to intellectual ability, there are some great readers who are average and below average in the smarts department and there are some poor readers who are off the charts regarding IQ- and everything in between. Same goes for the ability to grasp the early math facts (the rote stuff like multiplication tables). Sometimes parents of small children confuse the ability to read early and do math facts as intellect, when they are lower level skill sets and foundational skills needed to access the higher levels of thinking and understanding.
If your child is already a decent writer, a daily journal is great to keep her practicing. Have her practice her keyboarding skills too. Since she is such a great reader already, you can concentrate on other skill sets she will need.
How are her math skills? I would concentrate on the areas where your child needs relative help. Taking her to science museums and history museums are also excellent adventures and appeal to children of all levels.
School is not the only place for your child to learn. It never has been. Parents should provide the plurality of the education for their children.
Anonymous
12/24/2014 23:14
Subject: What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
Anonymous wrote:Your teachers need to have high expectations, if they know your kid can do the work then they need to push your child to reach for that level.
Frankly, provide a wide range of reading, focus on using classics if you are concerned about the general YA fiction. Frankly most of it is not actually written beyond a 6th grade level anyway so it won't help her.
Make sure they are exposed to historical and scientific works.
Find a family friend or librarian that gets it and provides book advice... this is sometimes available at the school library but unfortunately this group does not seem to be able to grasp what it takes to keep hi-level readers focused.
Thank you for the great advice!
Anonymous
12/24/2014 23:12
Subject: What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Are public schools mandated to provide any kind of advanced service for children who are working way above their grade level in a particular area. My child is already in advanced program but her reading instruction should be 3 grades above. What would you expect the school to do for your child in this case ?
really, OP?
really?
What do you expect them to do? My daughter is in 5th and reading at a 9th grade level. Her reading group goes beyond the framework, as I was informed by her teacher. Therefore, I trust the teacher to do her job.
Good for you that at least the teacher wants and tries to go beyond instead of denying her level.
This is the norm at most schools. I've not heard any of my friends complain about their schools failing to challenge their children in reading. from SS to Rockville to Olney to Derwood
There are reading levels that are fluid. My son, who's in K, jumped a level last month. They assess, instruct, assess again, and if there's improvement, they move them up.
Yes, you think they that is the norm but not always the case. There are some schools like mine where they completely refuse and put my child at a lower level even though they know her true level.
Anonymous
12/24/2014 21:13
Subject: What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Are public schools mandated to provide any kind of advanced service for children who are working way above their grade level in a particular area. My child is already in advanced program but her reading instruction should be 3 grades above. What would you expect the school to do for your child in this case ?
really, OP?
really?
What do you expect them to do? My daughter is in 5th and reading at a 9th grade level. Her reading group goes beyond the framework, as I was informed by her teacher. Therefore, I trust the teacher to do her job.
Good for you that at least the teacher wants and tries to go beyond instead of denying her level.
This is the norm at most schools. I've not heard any of my friends complain about their schools failing to challenge their children in reading. from SS to Rockville to Olney to Derwood
There are reading levels that are fluid. My son, who's in K, jumped a level last month. They assess, instruct, assess again, and if there's improvement, they move them up.
Anonymous
12/24/2014 20:50
Subject: What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
My 4th grader reads at an 8th grade level, but he told me he wasn't the only one in his MCPS class (not HGC). His reading group is not up to that level, but is probably reasonably advanced.
He just reads what he wants during his free time in class and at home, which in the past has included Jurassic Park, A Brief History of Time and Isaac Asimov's science fiction.
Anonymous
12/24/2014 19:51
Subject: What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?
Your teachers need to have high expectations, if they know your kid can do the work then they need to push your child to reach for that level.
Frankly, provide a wide range of reading, focus on using classics if you are concerned about the general YA fiction. Frankly most of it is not actually written beyond a 6th grade level anyway so it won't help her.
Make sure they are exposed to historical and scientific works.
Find a family friend or librarian that gets it and provides book advice... this is sometimes available at the school library but unfortunately this group does not seem to be able to grasp what it takes to keep hi-level readers focused.
Frankly, provide a wide range of reading, focus on using classics if you are concerned about the general YA fiction. Frankly most of it is not actually written beyond a 6th grade level anyway so it won't help her.
Make sure they are exposed to historical and scientific works.
Find a family friend or librarian that gets it and provides book advice... this is sometimes available at the school library but unfortunately this group does not seem to be able to grasp what it takes to keep hi-level readers focused.