Thank you for the many responses.

[jim and meesie]

So, just by sheer simple post-count..

it is now

Teacher - 170
Student - 2

(And, if they have read the whole thread, I think even perhaps those (2) might be rethinking their response.)

I read the whole thing and I don't remember anyone who agreed with the OP (but as I mentioned earlier, I am not an advanced reader). If you are out there identify yourself!

So in a nutshell......

Find a book for just SSR period.

Find very long books so you don't finish in one day.

Find a book of short stories for SSR.

Read a reference book, dictionary, encyclopedia.

Expand your horizons and start reading from your high school suggested literature.

Read a newspaper or periodical.

Read more critically and keep a reading journal.

Above all respect the teacher and learn to follow rules and choose your battles.

Did I get most of it?

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yep, I think you got it!!

I was just continuing on the post-count, which was first mentioned by another poster. (Good idea!!! I just had to continue it.)

There are indeed a couple of posts on the first page. I think that perhaps the posters did not fully understand or think thru the situation?

The teacher was in the right here to expect the kid to do the assignment!
All the parents are agreeing.

To bad that there are many teachers who will not acknowledge this, and will continue to attack parents and label them as Teacher Bashers, and "lame parents" or "those parents" or who say that parents don't care, etc.....

I just loved the quote that was applauded so on the other current thread, where the teacher quoted a well known piece that said something to the effect of "I will strike fear into the hearts of parents when I call" Wow, what a wonderful and positive attitude......

 

[lilostitch]

If we have to suffer through reading through a ton of boring posts here on the DIS, the least your DS could do is suffer through a little reading, even if it's beneath him.

It sounds like your son is power struggling over an issue that isn't that big of a deal. I like the idea of getting a book and only reading it during those 5 minutes each day.

Or, if he reads a book everyday as OP stated, why can't he start a book during her class so his 5 minutes are covered?

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I LOVE the line about "You're not that special!" And I have to laugh about reading the encyclopedia--great idea, BTW. But in our house, my two oldest (DD10, DS8) are working on science fair projects. We had to show DS8 how to look up things inthe encyclopedia--he thought it was just an interesting book that you read from cover to cover!

I also read out in the garage when sent out to play, under the covers--my sister and I laugh at my kids now, pretending to scratch our heads when they do the exact same thing!

And I like the idea of reading short stories--easier to put down. Really not seeing why the OP chose this hill to fight on, there are likely to be much more serious school issues that will be worth the time and effort.

 

[disykat]

Yep, I think you got it!!

I was just continuing on the post-count, which was first mentioned by another poster. (Good idea!!! I just had to continue it.)

There are indeed a couple of posts on the first page. I think that perhaps the posters did not fully understand or think thru the situation?

The teacher was in the right here to expect the kid to do the assignment!
All the parents are agreeing.

To bad that there are many teachers who will not acknowledge this, and will continue to attack parents and label them as Teacher Bashers, and "lame parents" or "those parents" or who say that parents don't care, etc.....

I just loved the quote that was applauded so on the other current thread, where the teacher quoted a well known piece that said something to the effect of "I will strike fear into the hearts of parents when I call" Wow, what a wonderful and positive attitude......

I love it! WOAS, I was all ready to give you the affirmation you so desire for supporting a teacher - but then you managed to find a way to get another teacher dig in there. I've never seen a teacher on here saying parents NEVER support them. I have, however, seen many react to your constant teacher bashing. As this post proves, majority becomes pretty clear when they think you are out of line. Sorry to be off topic - because this thread really isn't about you.

 

[declansdad]

I love it! WOAS, I was all ready to give you the affirmation you so desire for supporting a teacher - but then you managed to find a way to get another teacher dig in there. I've never seen a teacher on here saying parents NEVER support them. I have, however, seen many react to your constant teacher bashing. As this post proves, majority becomes pretty clear when they think you are out of line. Sorry to be off topic - because this thread really isn't about you.

Just thinking the same thing.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Okay, I'm so blown away at the OP's attitude that I almost can't believe this is real.

The OP went to a small private school that customized the lessons and how they were handled with each child? BINGO, there is the problem. It has given her the mentality that everything is to be customized to suit your individual needs, right down to how her children are taught. That is not how the world works for the other 99.9% of us.

If you want your son to have that you better home school him or send him to the school that you went to, but don't expect him to be very successful in his career if he feels that he shouldn't have to do anything he doesn't want to.

Simple solution - buy him a book of short stories or poems so he can read just a small amount and still have the satisfaction of knowing the whole story (in case the yearning to "find out what happens next" is what makes him go through the books so fast) or have him read non fiction.

Or if you want to do the right thing for your son, just do what the other 99% of the people here said and tell him to (to quote Nike) JUST DO IT.

 

[poohandwendy]

One thing that just keeps nagging my mind...

DS reads at least one book a day.

Ok, if that is the case, then he OBVIOUSLY has something to read everyday for the 5 minutes in that class. So what is the problem? (Unless you are saying that he reads books in less than 5 minutes)

I can solve this for you in one post:

Monday- 1 book, start it in that class (bring 2 books if necessary)
Tuesday- continue book one...if not finished, bring your next selection if you are near the end...Start book 2
Wed- finish book 2 or start or continue book 3
Thur- I think you are seeing the pattern...the same reading he is already doing is happening (gasp) in class!!!!

Unless you are saying your voracious reader simply cannot do what he is already doing, which is reading 1 book per day, during 5 minutes of that class.

Voila, problem solved!

 

[mickeyfan2]

So does anybody here have a job where they pay you to read books you like? If so, can I apply.

 

[KAMLEM]

He should ask the school librarian for advice. Lots of times, if you say I like Lovecraft, Asimov, and Wells, they'll offer some alternatives. Heck, that makes things fun for the librarian. The school librarian loved finding new authors for me-and we'd have great conversations after I'd read those books!

That may not be good advice in this situation - it sounds like this librarian would probably tell the student to slap the teacher upside the head!

If this seventh grader really reads a book a day that sounds like it may be a problem in itself. I'm kicking myself because I can't remember where I read this recently but it was an article that was actually talking about how kids CAN read too much. One of the issues was that kids that read for hours each day spend so much time reading that they don't get any exercise and they tend to be overweight. They were compared to kids that are labeled "couch potatoes" because they sit in front of the television all day. The other issue had to do with kids getting confused between reality and fiction. The article talked specifically about girls reading romance novels but it could apply to any genre.

 

[Nancy]

Thank you for saying this! I can't believe that OP, having been a teacher, is advocating Cliff's Notes along with a "hard" book as a way to teach criticial reading! YIKES!
Agree with everyone else here--the OP is doing her son (and the teacher, and the rest of the class) a huge disservice. Good luck to her in her future battles with her son/his school--there will be many...

Cliff notes?!? I almost hit the floor when I saw that! Why would anyone advocate cliff notes for anyone????? I can't believe a former teacher thinks cliff notes are an OK way to start to use critical thinking while reading.

I am taking a Lit class right now and I keep a journal, I write down my thoughts and I write down any questions I might have about what I read. I go back a re-read to find the answer. I talk about tone, and setting and what literary devices were being used. It takes way longer to read a story that way, but it makes some of the things we read so much better.


FWIW I am almost 48 years old and I have never bought, read or glanced at a cliff note.

 

[poohandwendy]

I just have to ask, because I am curious. What does "I was a teacher three times" mean? For three days? At three different schools? I guess I have just never known someone to refer to their past career in such a way.

I was a teacher 3 times and i would customize for each child to the very best of my ability. Granted I only had 30 children and not 120.

 

[tjmw2727]

It isn't just about reading or the OP's son would be doing fine. Its about following instructions and being prepared for class. All the child has to do is have a book or other approved reading material and then read it for 5 minutes in this class. I think its fair to assume a 7th grader can do this or take the 0. He is making a choice every time he shows up in class without his book.

IMHO its not about how much he reads, what level he reads at or what he reads. Its not even about what other task would be a better use of his time, its only 5 minutes! Its about following directions and being prepared for class.
If he needs help in penmanship he could take some time out at home or in studyhall, when he is probably reading, to practice his writing. Then maybe he would have unread material for the 5 minutes in queston and better penmanship! (a win win?)

If that's the case maybe my 5th grader who is accelarated in math should skip math in favor of her spelling, she would definately benefit from extra time on spelling. No, she does math in math and DH and I help her practice spelling at home. She would definately rather read than do either btw!

What if a classmate of the OP's son decides to work on an essay in the 5 minutes, is that ok to?

Nope not in my opinion, he should bring his own unread book and read it for 5 mintues, if not he is choosing a 0.

TJ

 

[mickeyfan2]

That may not be good advice in this situation - it sounds like this librarian would probably tell the student to slap the teacher upside the head!

If this seventh grader really reads a book a day that sounds like it may be a problem in itself. I'm kicking myself because I can't remember where I read this recently but it was an article that was actually talking about how kids CAN read too much. One of the issues was that kids that read for hours each day spend so much time reading that they don't get any exercise and they tend to be overweight. They were compared to kids that are labeled "couch potatoes" because they sit in front of the television all day. The other issue had to do with kids getting confused between reality and fiction. The article talked specifically about girls reading romance novels but it could apply to any genre.

Also they have not time to develop social skills. Their best friends are their books.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Point well taken Disykat and Declansdad... I do acknowledge that the last statement there was really unnecessary.

In this thread, and in similar cases... I do stand behind the teacher!

 

[Serena]

Ok, I've read this and read the updates and I've come to the conclusion that she's just pulling our leg. There is no way she can be serious with this.

I mean it's too darn simple. Read a book, any book, or get a zero. I really don't get what's so difficult to grasp.

 

[jfulcer]

This is just like a TOV thread. I think I need to hijack it.

I just made myself some Tuna Salad. What do you like to put in it? I put:

A little mayo to make everything stick.
Cut celery
Tastefully Simple Bacon Bacon
Onion powder
Garlic Powder
Italian Seasonings

I like to use Mrs Dash, but we're all out of it.

Yummy!

 

[jfulcer]

You're still here?.... It's Over!

 

[Mimi Q]

jfulcer, that sounds wonderful. We went out and ate some sushi tonight.

 

[N.Bailey]

I was taking some poetic license there. My point being that there is a library, and the child can take out X number of books from it, so he should do so for the SSR time. To not bring in a book and then get angry for receiving a failing grade makes no sense. He knows the rules. He is not special insofar as he doesn't have to follow rules. He may be special in what he likes to read, or special based on the fact that he is far above average for his grade level with regard to his reading, but the teacher doesn't seem to be regulating what the child reads (within reason for school etc. I am sure) but only that the child does read.

If the teacher has no books that interest him, the library must. There are an awful lot of books there!! I'd take him to the library, let him choose the maximum number of books he can, and then bring one of those every day for SSR.

In our town, we all have our own library cards. I'd imagine if she got one and her son had one, she'd be able to take quite few home at a time. If her hubby would go once in awhile too, that would also raise the number she'd be allowed to take at one time. At least in our library that's how it is.