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A New Life is Born
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Baby's First Words
I said my first word when I was just over 1 years old. It was Da da (Dad). My parents tell me to this day that I easily learned words. I think this is because my parents repeated words over and over to me until I could put an image to the word. They tell me I was quite the chatter box. I learned so quickly because my parents were attentive to me and they didn't have any other young children around the house. My brother was 8 when I was born. Hearing him talk to me helped me develop a vocabulary. -
P-U-R-P-L-E purple
I can remember being in Kindergarten and learning each letter of the alphabet individually. Each letter was represented by a character and a song. We would have worksheets where we had to trace the letter and practice writing the letter ourselves too. I remember learning about colors and having songs to go along with them. "P-U-R-P-L-E purple purple. P-U-R-P-L-E purple's what that spells. Purple grapes on the vine.." Phonics was a main focus in the classroom. -
Junie B. Jones
I don't doubt I read each of these books...twice. The Junie B. Jones series were my first chapter books I read. Junie B. Jones was first introduced to me in first grade. What I liked about Barbara Park's writing was the different language and expressions she wrote them in. She used 'slang' words. I loved reading these before bedtime to my parents. -
Start of Something New
In second grade, I began a new type of literature. I started both singing and piano lessons. Learning to read music was challenging but I learned quickly. The longer I played the harder the pieces became but I was furthering my understanding of musical literature. The thing I enjoyed most about singing was that its a different way of expressing yourself than reading or writing. The voice and pitch you project carries a message. I took lessons for 5 years. -
Similarities/Differences
In third grade, my teaher read us "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls. Each day she set aside some time to read a chapter. Once we got through the entire book, we watched the movie. We were to compare & contrast and after, share our thoughts. What I found neat about this was each student noticed different things. It showed that each peer explored without being told what to look for and came up with our own ideas of what is similar and different from the book to the movie. -
Technology
In middle school, we introduced a new type of literacy to the school world. This was a computer class. We learned the basics of computers such as how to browse, what each key represented, how to type, and inserting things into the computer like CD's or USB's. This was a great experience of becoming technoligally literate because technology is such a huge part of society today. This class was extremely useful and helpful to learning. -
Speeches
In high school, it was required to take a communication class, where students gave speeches. Throughout the span of this class, I learned public speaking techniques that I still use today. I was terrified at first to get up in front of the class and speak. Now I can stand up with confidence and know that if I make a mistake, I just have to push through it and keep moving forward. Knowing these tools and techniques will help me greatly in my profession of being a teacher. -
Finding A New Meaning
My spring semester of freshman year here at ISU I took ENG 170- Children's Literature. We read stories we were all familiar with growing up, including Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella. We focused on the deeper meaning & the original way these stories were told. When my parents read these stories to me when I was little, there was always a happy ending. This class encouraged me to explore the original vision these stories portrayed before being transformed into children's literature. -
It Just Keeps On Going..
Literacy is and always will be important in life. From just the first few years of life until my last day, I will continue to learn new things. In the course of my life I have learned to read and write in a pluthera of ways including musically, technologically, and socially. Without school, I would not be where I am today. I am curious to see what else I will learn along the way.
