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01/19/2005: "Bitter memories part 2"

Yesterday I mentioned that my first grade teacher helped me get books from the library. The reason I couldn't do it myself is another memory that leaves me wondering just what the heck was going on.

Ever since I was little, I've been light years ahead of where the rest of my age group was in terms of reading ability. My mom says she thinks I was born knowing how to read. By the time I was done with kindergarden, I was done with picture books. They didn't interest me anymore and I didn't want anything to do with them. Unfortunately, my elementary school library had a rule that kindergarders and first graders could only check out picture books. The chapter books were for older kids. When I would even step foot in the chapter book section to start browsing, the school librarian would usher me back over to the picture book area and remind me of the rules.

Looking back, all I can say is, why? Why would an educator want to stunt a kid's ability and not allow them to reach their full capacity? My teacher, even though she was evil for lowering my desk, was my angel at the time since she would get books for me at the library and would make sure I always had more challenging books to read.

I signed up for Blockbuster's version of Netflix the other day, and now I have Mean Girls, Garden State, and Resident Evil: Apocalypse coming to my mailbox by the weekend. I'm so excited about this; I'll finally get to see all the movies I've been wanting to see for dirt cheap, and I don't have to go out anywhere to do it! It's a genius program. Blockbuster and Netflix seem identical, but Blockbuster is cheaper right now.

Replies: 5 Comments

My mom taught me to read at 3 and a half. I started kindergarten at 4.

Halfway through the semester the school calls my mom and says..."DO YOU KNOW YOUR DAUGHTER CAN *READ*??????"

*rolls eyes*

You should rent Shaun of the Dead!!

melantha, Wednesday, January 19th

Semester? I meant school year.

melantha, Wednesday, January 19th

Brooke! I was wondering where your site went! It seems I was supposed to wait until now to find it, as you have this fabulous post about being an advanced reader. I too stumped teachers and librarians alike. I began reading when I was 2. My mother says that, prior to that, when she would read to me, I'd shut the book on our hands and say, "No. I want to do it. I want to read." Thus, I learned.

Fast forward just a little - I got my library card and scrawled my name in capital letters.

Fast forward a little more - My library didn't used to have a limit on the number of books you could check out. Neither did my mom. She teased that I could check out as many as I could carry. I came out of that place with books stacked up to my chin.

Fast forward to today - A different library, a different town, a grown up girl. A library that says you may only check out 10 books at a time. A librarian who didn't even know me looked at me, looked at my stack of books, and said I could take home all of my requests even though it exceeded 10.

Little Willow, Thursday, January 20th

Only 10?? That's my definition of a nightmare. Cheers for the nice librarian! She probably understood. : )

Brooke, Thursday, January 20th

Heh, well, you always were the smart one of the family. Lets see...

I learned to put my velcro shoes on (with a lot of difficulties, but I still did it) in Kindergarten. That was at the age of 6.

I think I finally got reading down good around third grade.

Math? That still hasnt clicked and I'm almost a senior in highschool.

English, yeah, thats always fun. All of YOUR old teachers brag to me about how wonderful my older sister was at the subject, but why cant I be like that? Screw that!

Gym? Mr. Houndshell would send boys to the office for punching me. I guess I was just that attractive.

Point being, you were always the smarter one. Why I brought up that point? I dont know, because now I'm rather sad.

Lindsay, Thursday, January 20th