Job Discussion Forums

[Volver]

Just started tutoring a 13 year old boy who is unbelievably smart. How smart, you ask? I walk into the room and he is engrossed in "A Brave New World", and then, later, starts lecturing me on existentialism!!!!! I didn't even know what that was until he told me. His intended goal in life is to develop an electric motor/hydrogen fuel cell combination. He attends an international school, but says he doesn't get enough practice with speaking English with his teachers. Also, it sounds like the other kids cannot keep up with him. Small wonder.

What in the world does one do with a kid like this?

We talked about a lot of matters, and he wants to read both "Ordeal By Hunger" and "Two Years Before the Mast". OK, those are certainly adventurous books. He also likes sci-fi. Any sci-fi fans out there who can recommend books that would challenge him? I think stories with hard science/technology would be of interest.

I did ask him what he wanted to study, and he kept saying whatever I wanted to talk about.

Any and all suggestions welcome.

V

[Jmbf]

[JamesD]

Most Asimov may be a little too juvenile for him but I can recommend the Foundation series.

[3701 W.119th]

I'm not a big sci-fi guy, but I enjoyed a lot of Robert A. Heinlein's stuff. Reads a bit more 'grown-up' than a lot of the nonsense that is typical of the genre (IMO). The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, and Stranger in a Strange Land, should give the two of you more than enough to discuss.

Other classic 'weightier' stuff you could try with him - A Canticle for Leibowitz, 2001, Dune, etc. That's a lot of reading.

Then hit him with Kurt Vonnegut.

[Non Sequitur]

Get him being more discerning in his sci fi reading. He's voracious currently, but suggest he look at themes.
Mutant human stories are a sub-genre, starting with Slan and going from there.
Another theme is authors i.e R A Heinlein. Somewhere there is commentary from RAH's widow about his personal philosophies and how they are reflected in what he wrote.
Great to have a bright kid!
Keep him away from Terry Pratchett - that's not sci fi.

[nomad soul]

[Volver]

Taking careful note of everything people say.

I think he would find Heinlein too easy. I have to look into the other suggestions.

The reading is not an end in itself, but a way to start discussions. I thought about something like the "Iliad" or other ancient authors, and the idea of introducing ethics is a good one. Certainly something to which most students are not introduced.

This is actually the 3rd tutoring student I have like this. Very smart, almost to the point of being scary, and they are simply not challenged by their teachers despite attending the best schools in the city. They are fun but, jeez, you have to stay on your toes constantly. The rate at which they process new information is phenomenal.

V

[JamesD]

[nomad soul]

[schwa]

Let him follow his own reading whims.

[jimpellow]

How well-rounded is he as a person? Most Chinese students are not, nor are geniuses in general (with the exception of Bud Powell of course).

Maybe he would be best served by going on outings to Pizza Hut and such and other activities that would increase his range in social situations and such.

[Non Sequitur]

[Volver]

I am inclined to let him follow his own reading whims. My job is to expose him to reading material he would not otherwise know about and then get him discussing what he read. He is quite obviously way smarter than I am, but lacks exposure to many ideas/views/concepts.

The students I have do not need help with their schoolwork. I have tried this before and it has been total waste of time. They are simply not being stimulated enough in their English classes and want more than just drills.

Thanks for all the advice and I am acting on it now. The next class is Thursday and I will start experimenting with some of your suggestions.

V

[Non Sequitur]

[nomad soul]