Oh, Kriston, don't I know it. How on earth am I going to get DD7's teacher (at the same montessori school) to understand this??? She is finally reading at grade level thanks to vision therapy, etc. The other day she picked a chapter book off the shelf to read, and her teacher (who I otherwise like very much) made her put it back, said that she "wasn't ready for it yet." Made dd read Frog and Toad first. I wanted to scream - here I was just so glad she was finally willing to take a chance at trying to read anything at all!
I'll just have to take a leap of faith - conferences are in three weeks. Fortunately I have DS5's little stamp work story to use as an example, though it doesn't really translate over to the subject of reading quite as well. I'm going to bring in my VSL articles, but I am certain some teachers (especially other DS5's) may feel insulted or imposed upon.
The good teacher is very young - I think this may be her first classroom - and very open to new ideas. She was already talking about how the info I was providing will help with other students she has. It was pure luck (she took over the class last year when the original teacher went on maternity leave and later quit).
oops, time to pick up dd...gotta run...