Sunday, January 14, 2007
Good Reader, Having Trouble Understanding
Dear Guidance Guy,
I'm a really great reader. Actually I can pronounce and read without stuttering or stopping in the middle of a sentence. But I don't have a wide vocabulary system. For example, there is probably a word for my vocabulary. I just know boring, plain, basic words. Another example is I didn't know hoarse ment a sore throat until a couple of weeks ago.
In class I felt a little embarrassed because my friend said, "you're not finshed? I was done an hour ago." So I just copied her work and now I don't know what it means. Also, I always get low in my SIR test. I'm in a group with kids who stutter. I feel it's not fair because I can read. I just don't know many words.
Sara
*** *** ***
Dear Sara,
There is a big difference between knowing how to speak the words from a page and actually understanding what you're reading. I wonder if you're good at the first part but not as good at the second part. If you score low on your SIR tests, that's probably the case.
You can talk with your teacher about making up a plan to move onto the next group, but be ready to work hard and put in a lot of extra time. The most important part though is that you don't feel badly about yourself. I can tell you're working hard. You should be proud of that. School isn't supposed to be a competition between you and other kids. You're supposed to learn as much as you can so you can be a smart and strong adult. It looks like you've got a good start on that.
All The Best,
The Guidance Guy
I'm a really great reader. Actually I can pronounce and read without stuttering or stopping in the middle of a sentence. But I don't have a wide vocabulary system. For example, there is probably a word for my vocabulary. I just know boring, plain, basic words. Another example is I didn't know hoarse ment a sore throat until a couple of weeks ago.
In class I felt a little embarrassed because my friend said, "you're not finshed? I was done an hour ago." So I just copied her work and now I don't know what it means. Also, I always get low in my SIR test. I'm in a group with kids who stutter. I feel it's not fair because I can read. I just don't know many words.
Sara
*** *** ***
Dear Sara,
There is a big difference between knowing how to speak the words from a page and actually understanding what you're reading. I wonder if you're good at the first part but not as good at the second part. If you score low on your SIR tests, that's probably the case.
You can talk with your teacher about making up a plan to move onto the next group, but be ready to work hard and put in a lot of extra time. The most important part though is that you don't feel badly about yourself. I can tell you're working hard. You should be proud of that. School isn't supposed to be a competition between you and other kids. You're supposed to learn as much as you can so you can be a smart and strong adult. It looks like you've got a good start on that.
All The Best,
The Guidance Guy
# posted by Larry Hochman : 7:38 AM
