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Thursday, April 16, 2009

Chance digests symbolism

Chance reads very well. He is at the top of his class and takes piles of books with him when he heads off bed.

One of my concerns is that as his reading level goes up, so does the use of symbolism, comparisons, idioms and allegories in books.

There are scriptural allegories about grafted trees and the house of Israel. "Where the Red Fern Grows", talks about the symbolism of the red fern.

Then there are the phrases such as "runt of the litter," "like a bat out of heck"(edited to keep this a family show), "sleep like a baby", and "beat around the bush." These are phrases that people assume we all know.

I have no doubt that Chance is capable, I just think it will take more work to help Chance catch on to some of the things that come up in more advanced reading levels.

Having spent the past few years helping Chance acquire language and playing some catch up with language, Chance is moving on to more advanced language. This is a very good thing.
I just hope we do a good job helping him move to that next level.

I do love the way Chance's eyes narrow and his eyebrows go up when he says,"What?" When a phrase is used that if taken literally sounds, well, weird if you don't know the meaning. Like,"Hit the road Jack." Or " She is green with jealousy."

A whole new world of language awaits Chance! I just want us to be ready to take the ride with him.

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