-
Some of my earliest memories are of my mom reading me The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter. I fell asleep most nights to that book as a kid. Image retrieved from: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tailor_of_Gloucester -
Background on learning to read: I struggled in school as a kid, especially regarding reading. In second grade, midway through the year, I was held back to first grade. I underwent a lot of testing, got an IEP, and was eventually diagnosed with a vision disorder (similar to dyslexia) in fourth grade. Image retrieved from: https://www.lubbockisd.org/Page/5702 -
I would get pulled out of class throughout elementary school to work with a special education teacher for reading group. I learned at an early age that I could memorize books to fake reading, and I got by for a long time doing that (1-4 grade). In the reading group, we would do a lot of out-loud reading in pairs or with the teacher. Image retrieved from: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.amreading.com/2016/07/03/top-20-all-time-best-selling-childrens-books/amp/ -
In fourth grade, my teacher read us a lot of the Harry Potter series. Listening to books and gaining an appreciation for the stories was a memorial part of me wanting to read more, and I gained a new appreciation for books and stories. Image retrieved from: https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/scholastic-celebrate-25-years-of-sorcerers-stone -
I was diagnosed with a vision disorder in fourth grade and started vision therapy and tutoring. I had to relearn to read. This type of intervention took a few years to complete, but I began to catch up quickly and could do more reading with the rest of my class. I finally started to feel like a normal student.- The image is of a vision therapy tool. I had to do this exercise every day for years.
-
I loved going to the bookstore with my mom as a kid. Picking out new and more advanced-level books was part of my homework for tutoring and vision therapy. Getting books outside of my comfort zone helped me practice my reading skills. Image retrieved from: https://www.npr.org/2011/07/19/138514845/bye-bye-borders-what-the-chains-closing-means-for-bookstores-authors-and-you -
In fifth grade, we did a lot of pick-your-own-book silent reading time. I found the Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler about a boy with dyslexia going through school. I felt such a connection to the character; it was the first time I got invested in a character. Image retrieved from: https://www.costco.com/the-hank-zipzer-8-book-collection-by-henry-winkler-and-lin-oliver.product.100512092.html -
In ninth-grade literature class, we read Faranhight 451. It instantly became my favorite book, and I've loved Ray Bradbury's work ever since. I've read that book many times since, and I'm still in awe of the story. Image retrieved from: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenheit_451 -
In high school, I got introduced to popcorn reading which is still one of my least favorite memories. In 9th grade, I had a teacher that made us do popcorn reading almost every class. This type of pressure to read out loud made me shut down, and it made me hate reading again, especially out loud. Image retrieved from: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/alternatives-to-round-robin-reading-todd-finley -
Now that I have a child, I prioritized reading to him every night. I want him to love reading and stories. And I know that starts with my love for reading. I've gained a new excitement for reading that I thought I'd never have by reading to my son. Image retrieved from: https://www.istockphoto.com/illustrations/mom-and-child-reading