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Learning to read
My first true interaction with reading was learning to read sheet music. From the time I was about 3 all the way to present day, all I remember is singing. My Nana would print out lyrics for me and by the end of the week I would know a whole new song. I sang all the time. -
Second Grade Readers
In second grade, I remember the first mention of standardized testing. My teacher prepared us from the first day of second grade all the way till I walked out of the third grade hallway into the middle school. I had always been at a higher reading level than all those in my class. I would constantly get bored with the readers because the information seemed to babied for me. The teacher noticed and after a little while she started handing me books that were more suited for my reading level. -
Elementary School Library
I remember going to school in 3rd grade. Wednesdays were always my favorite. Every Wednesday at 10:30 we'd march in a line all the way to the library at the dome of the school. I always jetted straight to the book bags. Who knew a little clear bag with a book and activity sheet could make a child so happy. Once I checked out all my book selections, I'd make a beeline for the computer to catch up on my Book Adventure tests for the week. -
4th Grade Book Fair and My Favorite Teacher
In 4th grade, I had a teacher named Mrs. Wiseman. She pushed me to become a stronger reader. We would read aloud every day from the book Touching Spirit Bear. I was always the one who checked out the most books that year. I remember in the spring of 4th grade going down to the Book Fair. For a week straight, I spent at least an hour everyday looking at all the new books. It easily became my favorite memory of the whole year. -
Teaching Caleb to Read
My first big accomplishment in reading was teaching my little brother Caleb how to read. One day I brought home an easy book from the library, and everyday after school, we would reread one page until he memorized all the words. I was so excited to be able to teach someone else how to do my favorite thing. -
Popcorn Reading
I remember the first time we ever did the new style of reading called popcorn reading. I was always so scared to mess up the words. Whenever we started doing this I remember seeing all the darting eyes around the room begging their friends not to call on them. I would just look down at my desk in hopes that they would forget I was there. -
First High School English Class
I absolutely loved my first high school English teacher. She was so energetic, she was always prepared to helped, and always had the answer to all of lives problems. Quickly her personality grew on me and my love for writing and reading blossomed again. I checked out more books that school year than I had in all my middle school and junior high years combined. -
Senior Year Obsession
My senior year, I became obsessed with books under the genre realistic fiction. I loved that when I picked up that book, it gave me a deeper understanding for someone else's life in the society I was living in. My all time favorite book I read that year was The Hate You Give.