Page 21 - How to teach reading with heart

additional letters he struggled with. We methods would not be effective. Before
practiced with “G” to no avail. It soon Sammy’s third grade year came to an

became apparent Sammy had no visual or end, we were informed he would not be
auditory recognition of the letter “G.” The returning to our district. He is one of the

sound of “G” was in his spoken language. many with a place in my heart.
What happened in his cerebral pathways
that he could not make the visual Before I introduce you to David, I would

connections to the sound of “G?” I had like to digress for a moment to tell of a
no answer, came up empty researching a special moment in the month of June,

specific cause. My next step was a trip to after Sammy’s third grade year. For several
a craft store to purchase “G” in all forms. years I had been making an annual
A paper “G”, a metal “G”, “G” stickers etc. pilgrimage to a hidden treasure located

Sammy and I made “Gs” together in my west of Houston. It is a place of inspiration
attempt to bring into play the five senses. that calls to young musicians from all over

the world to gather and learn from the
Sammy did not like our activities. He felt finest master musicians on the planet. On
it was childish work. Frustration set in. this particular afternoon I was observing

I knew what his inner voice was telling a young woman from Brazil during
him. I had heard it many times before her lesson being taught by a master

from struggling readers. “I am too dumb musician, a conductor of a well-known
to learn to read.” Negative classroom European orchestra. The lesson began,
behavior escalated to the point we had she played her violin for him, he listened.

to stop our lessons. Sammy and the As someone who is not a musician, to
letter “G” stayed in the back of my mind. me it was wonderful. It was obvious this

In fact, a strange visual began playing young woman was accustomed to kudos,
in my head. It was something I would but none came from the teacher. Instead
never, nor could ever do. This was the there were three measures he kept having

visual. If I took a basketball and threw her play over and over asking, “didn’t you
it at Sammy’s gut so hard it knocked notice the note you missed?” Her whole

the breath out of him and at that demeanor changed. This was a pampered
instant of impact when the sound “ugg” young woman not accustomed to a
automatically came up from his gut and “Saturnian” taskmaster. Then he played

I held up a lighted “G” in front of him, the measures and I heard it! I heard the
would he have made the connection? As note, the strength of sound the note gave

I stated, it was never going to happen, the selection. She also heard it. Tried
but I knew he had to feel the vibration over and over to replicate his sound to no
of the “G” sound in his gut. The usual avail. Then this master musician made

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