Personal Influences
Growing up
with two older sisters made me want to accomplish many things that I would not
be able to until a later age. I do not remember the exact moment I began to
read, but I do have vivid memories of my two older sisters reading to me and
with me. I always aspired to be more like them. I was a cheerleader just as
they were, I dressed similar to them, I ate what they ate, so I know why I did
my best to begin reading; it was to become more like them. They would play
school with me and I was always the student. Through playing school with them,
I began to pretend to read in order to appear as cool and as smart as my
sisters.
I was raised
in a home of readers. Typically my mom was carrying an easy read, a newspaper
or business book for my dad, and of course the highly-rated children’s books
were clutched in the hands of my sisters. We were members at my town pool and
oftentimes, my mother, sisters, and I would sit their consumed by the books in
our laps. Vacations also earned a designated Barnes and Noble night prior to
leaving. Whenever I asked for a new book it was always a yes. Mostly it would
be as a reward, which I worked for, other times just because. Reading was not
only encouraged in my household, but expected. There was never talk about
reading, it just was what it was.
Elementary School
I was that one
student who would wait for DEAR time in school. I looked forward to our Library
class weekly and even went to our public library for more books. As I said, I
don’t remember the book I first read or how I learned, but I do know that I
didn’t have a struggle with reading. I assume this is why I enjoyed reading and
grew a profound interest in reading.
Throughout my
elementary school years, I rushed to the bookstore the day I received my Summer
Reading list. I valued this list even more than my own Christmas Wish List.
Depending on the grade I was in, I was only required to pick 2 or 3 books from
the list. This decision was not an easy task for me. As soon as my mother would
take me to Barnes and Noble in Edgewater, I would gather all the books I was
interested in. I would sit there for what seemed like hours and read all the
summaries on the back of the books, look at the covers, and even begin to read
the first chapter of many of the books. I would split the books up into three
piles: very interested in, somewhat interested, and this needs to go back on
the shelf. Some of these books included James
and the Giant Peach, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Number the Stars, Shiloh and Lord of the Flies. Even as a young
child I was captivated by characters and their stories. I would immerse myself
into the story so that I, too, was a part of the book.
High
School
I
know I still read throughout my high school years, but I want to say it wasn’t
as often. I was busy with more school work and sports. I do know that I had a
terrible time reading A Tale of Two
Cities. I was distraught when I had to buy the SparkNotes version of it in
order to write about it and prepare for the comprehension assessment I would be
getting my first class back. That I will never forget. Looking back I don’t
know if it was the language, lack of interest, or what that made me not like or
understand that book.
Professionally
As a teacher,
I have found it my mission to make my students that do not like to read, find
enjoyment in it. It saddens me to see students not want to read. I have
initiated “Book Talk Fridays” for the first time in my classroom. This is when
students can volunteer to sign up and present a book they love to the class.
They are expected to state facts about the book, give a brief summary, and
explain why they recommend the book to fellow classmates. I hope this method
affects more students than I could on my own. I expect that a recommendation
coming from one of their peers will have more of an influence on them than I
would have.
I also have
been doing a lot of research on mentor texts to use for writer’s workshop. I
have found highly rated children’s picture books to work on 4th
grade leveled skills. I was shocked to see the enjoyment my students found when
I read them a picture book that used numerous examples of onomatopoeia. I want
to read as many great books as I can to my students in hopes that it will
encourage them to become productive readers and writers.
In conclusion,
it is safe to say that I have had a love for reading since the day I pretended
I could read. I believe I am lucky to have such an exhilarating hobby and
interest in reading after many years. I find that reading builds character.
Everyone can learn from a book, and many learn different lessons from one book.
