I taught myself how to read when I was very young. Before I even started school. My favorite thing to read was the thesaurus because I liked to just see words. I also regularly read the dictionary, every volume of the Encyclopedia Britannica 1984 Edition, and every issue of National Geographic in our house. I started walking all the way across town by myself when I was 9 to read National Geographic when I found out they got new issues there every month at the library.
Even though I could read I was held back in Kindergarten because they said I didn't know my alphabet and that I didn't get along with other children. I didn't bother mentioning that I knew all of my alphabet and knew how to read. I just didn't like being asked questions because no one ever listened to me anyways. When I was 4 1/2 my father told me I talked to much when I was trying to tell him about the tribes in Brazil. I know I should not be so sensitive, but since then I still do not share things that I know with people unless they ask very specifically.
The school didn't realize that I knew more than they thought I did until we started taking written tests. At which point I was put into advanced classes. I didn't like them, because children at school called me a nerd and beat me up, also my best friend Kendra was not in those classes. So I found out what level average children were at and made sure I got enough answers wrong to be put back into only regular classes.
This only worked until junior high. In 7th grade a teacher figured out my system and asked me to take a test which showed that my reading level was 13+ and my I.Q. was higher then average, but I prefer not to discuss. She agreed not to tell anyone and allow me to stay in core classes with my best friend if I agreed to start taking AP science classes and privately take college level classes. I like school very much, I just don't like having to work with people.
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