As a group, we discussed that one of Susie’s strengths is that her parents have always encouraged her and provided her with books to read. Another strength is that she is motivated and wants to read. She also has “highly developed skills and has a great deal of understanding when it comes to reading.
Susie needs more challenging work at school so that she does not feel “bored.” Suzie needs to spend more time with children her own age. She can do this by inviting children over and reading to them . She could also ask parents if she could give some of her books away to the children. Susie’s parents could replace the books with new and more challenging books to help keep Susie’s interest up.
A strategy the teacher could suggest to the parents is to take Susie to a book store and let her pick out books that are on her independent level of reading. In doing this it will keep Susie’s motivation up as well as her love for reading. Susie could also invite neighborhood kids over and read to them from her new books. In doing this she is helping the children learn that reading can be fun. She is also gaining fluency and comprehension skills as she reads and rereads her books. Another strategy the teacher could suggest is to have Susie write her favorite part of the book down and draw a picture. She could share this with her friend at home, parent, or the teacher. In doing this it will help keep Susie’s love for reading level up. Our goal as teachers is to create lifelong readers and encouraging our students to read is how we will accomplish our goal.
One activity the teacher could have students do in class is students could read their favorite books to the class. Students could write in a journal at home or at school discussing details in the story that they liked. The students could write and learn about the main characters and discuss the plot of the story in their journals as well. Another activity or extension could be to have students get in small groups discussing and critiquing each others’ work. Students could also write a story and share with the class using the main characters from the book they liked.
Susie needs a "personal" IEP planned by the parents and teacher to make sure her curriculum at school is differentiated. Susie should not waste her time on doing something she already knows. She needs choice of activities, time, and procedures. She needs enrichment in most areas. Susie needs real products for a real audience for a real purpose. This is my soapbox. I have been in gifted education for too many years to see a child learn underachievement at this early age. The challenge should always be there for her and the "carrot" should be just beyond her reach.
ReplyDeleteParents should be encourage to enrich her life by going to museums and other places and talk, talk, talk, about the experience and possibly share the experience with another person, like a Grandma, through a resource. Communication by her to others is critical for her personal growth.
I absolutely hate the MOTS (more of the same) which is offered to most able students. They need the opportunity to learn as well. Oh, well, this is my passion.