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First Words
I quickly picked up small words and learned very quickly how to say mama and dada. Along with words I also made lots of humming and babbling sounds. -
Bedtime Stories
From the time I first was born until around the age of 6 or so, my parents always read me bedtime stories. I may not be able to remember each and everyone, but I do remember laying in bed together and reading many books. During the week we would make trips to our local library where I picked out a bag full of books to take home and read each night with my mother and father. One of my favorite books as a child was Goodnight Moon. I loved to hear this story over and over again. -
10 Minutes till Bedtime
For the first week or so of Kindergarten my teacher selected parents to come in and read stories to our class. I can remember very vividly wanting my mother to come in and read, 10 Minutes Till Bedtime, which is a book about hamsters that just want more time before bed. As a teacher for such young students, it is important to have a little touch of home in the classroom to get students comfortable and excited about school and reading. -
More Minutes, More Fun
Every year starting in 1st grade, my elementary school teachers would hand out a chart that we could record our reading minutes on. Once you reached a certain amount of time you could turn in the chart to recieve a free ticket to Six Flags Great America. I had never been to Six Flags so this encouraged me to read. The idea of winning something for reading became very appealing to many students. The purpose of reading switched from enjoyment of reading to enjoyment of going to Six Flags. -
Reading Games
Starting around the time of 2nd grade, I started seeing the reading specialist at my school because of the level of my reading ability. I would go twice a week to a different room to work on reading and comprehension skills with a different teacher. I would get to take a folder game and a book home to work on until the next time I met with her. This helped to give me reading confidence for the next time. -
Reading Buddies
In third grade we were assigned a 6th grade partner that would read with us each week. I remember mine was named Kara, and we both enjoyed reading Magic Treehouse books together on the beanbags. She would help me sound out the words and think about what I was reading. It was interesting to be learning from another student. By the time 6th grade came around I couldn't wait to help a 3rd grader of mine own better their reading skills. -
Sisterly Love
Once my sister was old enough to learn how to read I wanted to be the one to help. My mother would constantly find us both together in the basement huddled over a box of Hooked on Phonics books, and I would be trying to help my sister read. Even though she was only 4, I would sit there patiently waiting and helping her to sound out the words. -
Young Authors
In 4th grade, I entered a Young Authors contest where I was able to write my own story and submit it to be judged against other students in my school district. I ended up winning along with two other students for my grade level. Though my story wasn't much I still had the ability to construct and use literacy ideas to create my own story. -
Audio Books
For my 11th birthday we took a trip down to Disney World, but we decided to drive. One can only watch so many movies before they get bored. This was when I started to listen to audiobooks on my cd player. -
Summer Reading Program
All throughout elementary school I was a part of the summer reading program at the library. By the time I was in high school I still had a love for reading, but the program was over for my age. Luckily though I could now be a part of the adult summer reading program. Instead of winning plastic frisbees and parchute men, I could win chocolate bars and movie tickets. There was always something to draw the students in. -
Marching Band
Starting freshman year of highschool all the way up till freshman year of college I participated in marching band on the drumline. One form of literacy not very often thought of is music and marching drill. -
Rules of the Road
The summer before my junior year I took driver's education at the local driving school down the street. This was a new form of literacy, having to read street signs, symbols in the car, and the speedometer. -
Books Go Digital
My dad got a Nook and started letting me read some of the books on there that interested us both. After reading a few books though I decided I still prefered to have a real book in front of me as opposed to a Nook or any other digital device. -
Partners in Reading
Freshman year of college I voluntered at the Normal Public Library with a program called Partners in Reading. I was paired up with a student between the ages of 5-11 for the semester. My first student was 7 years old and we read many books together. I helped him sound out words, make connections, gain a love for nonfiction books, and I learned a lot about working one on one with students. This oppurtunity helped me decide to get an endorsement in reading so I can continue helping students. -
Good Reads
Today I am lucky enough to have two roommates that also share my love of reading. We read and discuss books together all the time even if our tastes tend to be different. To stay in touch this summer with our reading we set goals on Goodreads.com for how many books we want to read this year. During the summer we all read quit a bit. Having friends to read with helps me to continue reading for fun.
