[lonestar]

Phonics works for most kids.

But what if you're one of those who isn't "most?"

I was not "most"--was taught by sight and it was a good thing because I had an auditory discrimination problem. I memorized spelling lists and if the teacher called the words out of order I was up a creek.

I've seen kids who knew all the letter/sound associations but couldn't read because they either had an auditory sequencing or auditory memory problem.

I'm a visual learner and always have been. The method of choice in my day taught to my strength. All I had to do was learn "Sally, run, Dick, Jane, and Spot" and I read a book. I met success early in school; I think it would have been different if I had been taught phonics.

No method works for all kids. But if the method doesn't work, the kid is "learning disabled."

I had good visual memory and was taught sight so I was "smart."

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

But what if you're one of those who isn't "most?"

Unfortunately, unless you are bumbling along at turtle speed along with most in the classroom, you're out of luck.

The year my oldest attended a public school, he was in the first grade. The teacher mentioned to my husband and I that he was one of two children who didn't trot off daily to attend a special 'Title I' reading program, for those who didn't know the most basic concepts of reading.

Well, she certainly had no idea what to do with these two kids who could read, so while the rest of the class attended this 'program', my son colored pictures.

Along the same lines, the 'special-education-type' kids who didn't quite qualify for education plans ended up further behind academically due to the lack of encompassing teaching levels. I believe they colored pictures as well.


I'm a visual learner and always have been. The method of choice in my day taught to my strength.

EXACT same with me BTW...great too, unless someone came and switched things around on me!