Kevin's Watch

Hey guys, I need a little advice.

Beorn's high school sent the summer reading list for the incoming Cambridge students. Only four mandatory books, and none of them look too difficult. With the AR goal of 1000 points for this last quarter at school (yeah, we've kept it so far, he's already over 700 points for this term three weeks into it), I'm thinking of having him read them now so he's freer over the summer.

He retains the plot lines of the fantasy and science fiction books he reads, but these books are not of that sort. More 'literature' like. I'm thinking of also reading them, so he and I can discuss them over the summer and possibly help him process the 'comprehension' aspects of the books that he's weak in, i.e. implication and the 'between the lines' aspects of the book. Sort of like a book club for two with these books.

My question is, should I do this? If it's there in the book in black and white, he gets it and retains it. But, should I have him do this on his own, and have the teachers see right away what his weaknesses are? Or should I view it as an extension of the accomodations he already has in place via his IEP at school.

Thanks for any input.

Menolly, forgive my ignorance, but what are your son's weaknesses? I would say that there is no loser for you to read the books and discuss with him. You will learn something about the literature as well, not to mention something about your own abilities as a teacher and a Mom.

What are the four books? What other subjects does Beorn prefer?

Beorn has asperger's syndrome, or as some put it, a 'touch' of autism. Social aspects are difficult for him. And, as I stated above, interpreting inference, implications, and 'between the lines' material from novels generally fly right over his head.

If we do this, Paul has agreed to get involved as well. Since he has taught university level History classes, and has led many disucssions on readings he has assigned, I'll gladly hand the 'moderator' aspects of our family book club over to him.

But I don't know if we should do this. It almost feels like cheating, as I am sure Paul and I will bring up the points of the book that will fly past Beorn (actually, that's the whole reason why I want to do this), and I don't know if it's fair to give Beorn a 'heads up' on what may be expected in the discussion groups once school starts, or if I should let the teachers see how he interpret books on his own from the start.

:::not sure if I'm making any sense:::

danlo wrote:What are the four books? What other subjects does Beorn prefer?

The four required books are:

Farewell to Manzanar - Jeanne Wakatsuki and James D. Houston
A Lesson Before Dying - Ernest Gaines
My Antonia - Willa Cather
Night - Elie Wiesel (hoo boy...)

Other, suggested readings are:

The Other Side of the River - Daniel Kotlowitz
Summer of My German Soldier - Bette Greene
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior - Dan Milman
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares

Menolly,

I really think that there is no harm in doing this especially if you think you can get him to think about levels while he's reading. I had a hard time with the interpretive stuff when I was younger but eventually I got it. Plus when school starts he'll know he can talk to mom and dad about books when he gets stuck.

Lorelei

Agree with Lorelei. You'd be doing NOTHING wrong and in fact would be doing what more parents ought to do...that is share in your kid's college experience in a meaningful and helpful way.

A Gunslinger wrote:Agree with Lorelei. You'd be doing NOTHING wrong and in fact would be doing what more parents ought to do...that is share in your kid's college experience in a meaningful and helpful way.

Thanks Lorelei, thanks Guns.

:::btw, it's the University of Cambridge AICE magnet program offered at high schools internationally that he's entering as a 13 year old high school freshman this fall...:::

I do not think any child of his age should be reading books like Night without talking them over with parents or other trusted adults. That is a pretty heavy duty book.


Just my

duchess of malfi wrote:I do not think any child of his age should be reading books like Night without talking them over with parents or other trusted adults. That is a pretty heavy duty book.


Just my

Thanks Duchess. I didn't even think about it this way. But having just come off of Yom HaZoah and Yom HaZakaron, I think I agree strongly with you.

I am assuming that discussion with the teachers and classmates will happen in the Fall, otherwise how will they know if he did any of the assigned reading? But I think you're right, discussing them as a family as these books are read will be required here think.

Again, thanks. That helps confirm the idea of us doing this. I won't look at this as cheating anymore...

I totally agree with Guns and Lorelei. What do you think we do here on the Watch? We discuss the books and help each other think about them in new ways with our various insights and interpretations. When you posted something that Beorn interpreted in the HP discussions, it opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking about that aspect of "between the lines." I think a family book club is a GREAT idea! What fun!

I agree with the general consensus... it's not cheating, it's helping your son, and it's one of the duties (as well as pleasures) of being a parent, I think. After all, you would be doing nothing but what the teachers would eventually do - help him figure out what he doesn't notice by himself. And, by helping him yourself, you'll not only allow him to learn what he should be on the lookout for in such an assignment (which is useful and probably "sticks" more if he learns it from his parents than from his teacher), but you'll also create another bonding experience for your family to cherish

:::blushing prettily:::

Thank you, AllFather...

My opinion is that if you feel it will be a problem, take the plot of the first book (using Master Plots from the local library's reference section if nothing else) and periodically ask him how events correspond to that. If that doesn't work, then try more active measures.

Syl, I'm not worried about plot details. Beorn has nearly a photographic memory for the stuff that's written in black and white. It's the stuff everyone else gets out of a book, but that isn't actually written in it, that worries me.

Would these Master Plots (I don't know of these at all) be of use in inferred and implied details?

Somewhat. But I think you might be selling Beorn a bit short (or his peers a bit high). Most kids his age won't understand inferred events. Many wouldn't even recognize a motif if you pointed it out to them. So if he understands the chain of events and the causality behind them, he's already ahead of the curve. Personally, I believe going beyond this would misrepresent Beorn's abilities.

Actually, Master Plots wouldn't help with any of those books except My Antonia, since the last edition was in '64. Heh.

Syl wrote:Somewhat. But I think you might be selling Beorn a bit short (or his peers a bit high). Most kids his age won't understand inferred events. Many wouldn't even recognize a motif if you pointed it out to them. So if he understands the chain of events and the causality behind them, he's already ahead of the curve. Personally, I believe going beyond this would misrepresent Beorn's abilities.

Ah...OK.

'Tis a slippery slope we'll travel...

...should I have him do this on his own, and have the teachers see right away what his weaknesses are...

If your concern is by helping him you are not allowing the teachers to be able to see what both his strengths and his weaknesses are, I honestly think you should approach his teacher about it, ask them what they think.

It really depends what the purpose of this reading task is. It's think discussing the books with Beorn will be of benefit to him. And I'm sure some parents do this with their children. However, if the reading task is supposed to give his teachers an idea of where he's at academically then home discussions might defeat that purpose?

I don't have any answers. I think the best thing is to discuss your concerns with a teacher.

Personally, I should think that the teachers would have assessed their comprehension and reading ability by this stage surely?? Or does he have a new teacher to deal with? If so, yes - perhaps letting the teacher assess his strengths/weaknesses would be best, so that he/she can then discuss with you where you can help.

No, it isn't cheating to help your kids with homework! If anything, a good discussion about all things actually helps them retain information by confirming/disproving what they may have interpreted. And as far as 'reading between the lines', that is SO subjective a matter as to not warrant discussion. Everybody gets something different out of a book.