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Reread Beginning Books with Mom
Starting when I was about 3 years old, my mom read a handful of books with me every night. Most of them were written by Dr. Seuss or P.D.Eastman. When I was about 4 years old, I could read them along with her - through a combination of memory of the story, recognition of sight words (like "said"), and looking at the specific letters in some words. I remember really enjoying this. -
Learned to Spell My Whole Name
When I was in kindergarten, everyone was expected to be able to stand in front of the class and spell our first and last name. My name was Kerridwen ap'Morrygan! The other kids had names like Laura Smith. I remember that I was extremely anxious about this. I felt insecure about my long, unusual name. I didn't want to do it, and I didn't believe I could. I managed though. -
Reading Lesson in School
When I was in first grade, my teacher provided some kind of reading lesson. I can't remember exactly what she did. I think she wrote some words on the chalkboard and modeled how to read them. But I do remember that I went home and announced to my mom, "I learned how to read today!" I remember how overjoyed my mom was. She smiled really broadly and told me she was really excited and proud of me. -
Read First Chapter Book
Very soon after the first grade reading lesson I told my mom about, I asked my mom for a book, and she gave me an old copy of The Boxcar Children. I don't remember any more reading lessons after that first one, and I don't remember trying to read decodable books or books for beginning readers. I laid on the couch for a whole day, wiggling a loose tooth, and pouring over the book. I can still remember parts of the story fondly. Reading just clicked for me and I loved it. -
Read in Elementary School
I don't remember reading any books in the classroom during elementary school that I enjoyed. (I do have very happy memories of reading at home.) I remember that we had a box of color-coded reading passages. The passages were written by publishers and were extremely formulaic. We were supposed to prove we could advance to the next level (color). Those passages were incredibly boring. I completed the box set, but I didn't like it. I don't think I gained anything from this experience. -
Earned an A in College Writing Course
When I was a freshman in college, we had to take an introductory writing course. When I was in high school, I got mostly As in English without much work. When I got my first paper back for this college course, it had a big red D on the top. My professor said we could always redo our papers and he would only count the final grade. I started with a D on lots of the papers, but I worked extremely hard and earned an A in the course. I learned more in this class than almost any other. -
Taught Students to Be Better Readers
In the first year I taught, many of my 3rd grade students started the year below-grade-level in reading. They all ended the year on-grade-level. The kind of teaching I was best at was doing think-alouds. I modeled how I figured out hard words. I modeled comprehension strategies with wonderful books. I was even asked to model a think-aloud for the other teachers for professional development. Teaching taught me to communicate my thoughts while reading, and that this could help others learn. -
Shared Books with My Husband
When I was dating my husband, I told him I loved reading. He asked me what I liked to read, and I gave him one of my favorite books - The Mind Body Problem by Rebecca Goldstein. I had written little notes throughout the book about my thoughts while reading it, and he wrote his own notes. Then he gave me a copy of a book he loved - House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski. Soon, we were reading aloud to each other. We still read books to each other now. Reading is a way for us to connect. -
Reading Helped Me Parent
2008-now. Reading is a big part of my parenting. My daughter is autistic and she could name letters before she could say many words. Teaching her the English alphabet truly enabled us to communicate better. When my kids and I are really exhausted or furious or bored, reading is one thing we can share that reliably helps us feel better. I'm not very funny, but I can read aloud funny books. We even have special family Reading Nights when we can stay up reading as late as we want (even all night!) -
Got Tattoos of Children's Books
This year, I got my whole left calf tattooed with children's book characters. I picked books that carry fond memories - of reading as a child, of reading to my students, and of reading to my children. The books represented on my leg are Junie B. Jones, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Elephant & Piggie, Henry & Mudge, Where the Wild Things Are, Blue Hat Green Hat, But No Elephants, and There's A Monster at the End of this Book. Thinking about these books brings me joy. They define me.