Diana E

I've described the early reading efforts of my older
daughter Carrie, who is dyslexic. Her sister Phoenix,
ten years younger, has been a very different
experience. As I've said, I answer every question,
keep resources available, and help in the pursuit of
new information or skills when requested. Phoenix was
reading and writing her name and a few very short
words at age two, with Carrie and I each teaching her,
at her own request. Grocery shopping was fun because
of all the "double-takes" as Phoenix, again at age
two, walked along proudly reading the number of each
aisle. When we tried public school at third grade,
Phoenix was tested for placement. Her scores ranged
from third grade to high school level in the various
areas. The counselor who tested her scolded me for
not keeping all areas on the same level of
proficiency. Her lowest score, in case you are
curious, was in math. She doesn't like math on paper,
but is brilliant with theoretic and practical math
concepts. As I have mentioned, our relationship with
the public school system ended after three days. I
did write to the state board of education about the
difficulties encountered there, never heard back from
them, but was called by the school principal a month
later. She offered to enroll Phoenix in school again
under any circumstances I might dictate, but I told
her I was not interested. I just worked harder at
maintaining Phoenix's safety and comfort in various
ways while I worked a five-minute walk from home, and
have continued homeschooling / unschooling weekends
and other odd hours.

My point is that both girls have been a breath-taking
delight and at times a heart-crushing ache. Both are
fascinating, both love to learn new things, both
understand their own and each other's mental
processes. Both appreciate their own and each other's
uniqueness.

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Diana

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