[goodwithagun]

Try teaching classrooms full of eleventh and twelfth graders who where taught using sight and whole word methods. They can’t read. It’s that simple, and extremely sad and frustrating.

[muawiyah]

My personal theory is that the early Sumerians who invented writing turned into the class of people called Scribes.

Not only did they write/record for a living, they had ample opportunity to spread the genes that facilitate the process.

If they didn't get around to your womenfolk in time your ethnic group just doesn't have what it takes to learn to read.

[lonestar]

Me--reading a 9th grade science experiment:

Me: "...put it in gelatin (guh-lay-tin)..."

Teacher: WHAT?!!!

Me: guh-lay-tin

Teacher: You stupid idiot! (Really!--he called everybody stupid idiot at one time or another.)

Me: Oh! jelatin.

BTW, those of us who survived his classes didn't have problems in college. Several of his C students in chemistry were tutors in college. One of his better students taught Physics at Rice, after getting his Ph D. Several future doctors, dentists, engineers were in H.S. the 4 years with me...and we had 300 kids at most.

His name always comes up at reunions...he passed many years ago but not forgotten.