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Recalling Early Bedtime Stories, "Love You Forever"
My mom started reading this book to me when I was about four/five years old. I would ask her to read it to me and my brother all the time. I remember it significantly as one of my favorite books growing up. I think this was the point I truly started to connect and refer back to text. I would say, "Love You Forever, Mom." -
"She is being silly.." Understanding (or not) idioms, "Amelia Bedelia"
Amelia Bedelia books quickly became my utmost favorite books to read as a child. I specifically remember reading the books and being confused/tickled each time Amelia took something literal. My mom said I would turn to her and say, "She is being silly." Such as, Amelia literally "stole home base." I understood both the phrase (idiom) and why Amelia stole home plate. As an educator, I can see where ELLs and other students may have difficulty understanding certain phrases, as does Amelia. -
Reading (working) Towards Our AR (accelerated reading) Goals (multiple texts)
This specific year, all of the fourth graders had the opportunity to read a specific number of books and reach a certain number of points (comprehension test points) in order to participate in an over night sleepover. Boy, did we read! That year, our class broke the school record for most books/points read/met in a matter of months. This made reading fun and held us accountable due to the comprehension tests that were taken after each book. We were reading for meaning in more ways than we knew! -
Overcoming My Fear of "Large" Books, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
This book jumpstarted my joy of reading. I remember being intimidated by the size (300+ pages) of the book. I was too intimidated for about a year or so but finally decided to take a leap. This book is when I truly discovered how far my imagination (or Rowling's) could take me. I yearned to read more books that were filled with magic (fiction). I ended up reading the whole series through the years. This also started the beginning of my love of series books. How great is that!? -
8th Grade Memories of The Holocaust, "The Diary of A Young Girl"
I remember reading this book aloud with my 8th grade Reading class and realizing the horror and fear that truly conveyed the reality of The Holocaust. I did not have trouble comprehending the book but I did struggle with reading it. It was a story full of both hope and sadness. This book helped me realize a perspective of vividness that can be portrayed in books/storytelling. It made the book that much more exciting, sad, and real. -
"You're a great reader, Emily!" 9th Grade, "The Phantom of the Opera"
I remember this year/book vividly! I was a freshman in high school and we read "The Phantom of the Opera" both for homework and as a class. As a class, we would all take turns reading pages to the entire class. It was this very moment when I was told, "You're a great reader! You have a great vocabulary!" and I was THRILLED! This was a boost of confidence. I loved pronouncing the larger (more difficult) words. This gave me the perspective, "reading is not always an easy task." -
Psychology & Religion Textbook (Oh, the struggle...)
I remember struggling quite a bit in this course. I was a sophomore at Texas Tech (Psychology undergrad) and it was a 4000 course. This particular textbook, although I do not remember the title, was difficult for me to comprehend, much less learn from. I read and re-read chapters quite a bit. I remember thinking back and trying to remember reading strategies to help "decode" the text. It was quite the struggle and quickly helped me remember that reading is different than comprehending. -
The Beginning of Mrs. Smyth's Classroom, "THE Classroom Management Book"
This book was a required text for one of the classes I took in Fall 2014. I read (and still refer to it) at least three times that semester in order to learn more and for pure enjoyment. It has changed the way I manage my classroom and it has been a helpful guide to me as an educator. Reading this book has helped evolve me as both a person and educator. -
Reading Aloud to Second Graders, "Shubert's Big Voice"
I read "Shubert's Big Voice" to a second grade class. This class was struggling with bullying so we decided to read this book and create a collaborative lesson/poster on what they learned. This book changed the entire class' attitude towards us (educators), themselves, and their classmates. This shows the power of a book and the power of reading to children (out loud). This was a defining moment for me as an educator and helped influence my perspective of reading. -
Leisure Summer Reading, "Love with a Chance of Drowning"
This book has easily become one of the best books I have read in many years. Not only have I not "leisurely" read in about 6 years, I have been too scared thinking "I just don't have time. Ill slack at work or in school." Well, I found the time. This book is hilarious, brave, and moving. It defines what reading can do--help you take chances, opens your mind, and takes you away. This book reminded me that reading is more than weekly homework, which is what I wish to instill in my students.
