Literacy Autobiography

Literacy Autobiography

My Earliest Memories

                My earliest memories of my literacy journey began when my parents read to me every night before I went to sleep. I remember sitting on my bed listening to my mom or dad read Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd. It was my favorite bed time story and I enjoyed saying “Goodnight” to all of the things in the book. It made me feel like I was also reading along with my parents as I said “Goodnight.” When I reached the age of four, I started to pretend to read Goodnight Moon to my sister along with other books.

                Growing up, I admired my cousin Paul and I wanted to do everything he did. I remember sitting at our grandparents’ kitchen table when I heard Paul read for the first time when he was in the First grade. I was in Kindergarten and I was mesmerized because he was reading by himself. At that moment, I became determined to read on my own because I thought it was amazing.

                I was five years old when my grandparents gave me the book, The Read-It-Yourself Storybook for my birthday. It contained seven short stories and I would bring this book everywhere. When I played school with my sister, I would try and read it to her until she became bored and said she didn’t want to play anymore. Then I would move on and sit in front of my stuffed animals and “read” to them. I understand that I was not truly reading the exact words on the page because when my parents would read one of the stories to me it would not sound the same. I would get frustrated and try to read the exact words to my sister and stuffed animals again. I now know I was only pretend reading, but this began my literacy journey to finally begin reading on my own.

                My earliest memory of actual “reading” was the day I was at my grandparents’ house after school and I told Paul that I could read. He replied that I was too young to read and I had to prove him wrong to be considered his “cool little cousin.” To prove to him that I could read, I took out my favorite book, The Read- It- Yourself Storybook, and opened it to the first story which was “The Monkey and the Bee.” I began to say the words on the page and I remember Paul screaming for my grandparents telling them that I was reading. I continued and finished the first story in the book and felt so proud of myself. When my parents came home from work, I read the story to them as well and they told me how proud they were of me. It was such a great feeling and it made me want to read more new stories.

                When my Kindergarten teacher found out that I could read she made me feel very proud of myself by setting up a read aloud to the First Graders. I sat in the First Grade teacher’s big chair as my cousin Paul and his classmates sat on the floor staring at me. I was very nervous to read in front of the “big kids” but managed to read “Tony and his Friends” to them. This was another positive literacy experience that helped me to enjoy reading and continue on my journey.

Middle School

                My favorite memory was going to Barnes and Noble with my father. I remember getting excited to get a new book by Nancy Drew. She was my favorite author! I would finish reading these books as fast as I could so I could go back to the store with my dad to buy another one.  

It wasn’t until six years later when I was in the sixth grade when I connected to a book. I read the book, A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’ Engle, which made an impact on my literacy journey. This is the first book that I remember reading that I was able to understand. I completed a book report on this book which consisted of a summary and a project. I loved this book and it helped me to realize that I wanted to teach reading. My teacher made reading this book very enjoyable and I realized I wanted to be like her and make reading fun.

High School and College

                Surprisingly, I don’t remember any significant literacy experiences after sixth grade through high school. I remember my High School literacy classes consisting of a lot of reading and writing that I didn’t enjoy or connect to. I had to write a lot of summaries on chapters of books that I do not remember. It was not until college when I became an English major that I connected to literacy and writing again. I truly enjoyed my reading and writing classes and learned a lot.

Currently

                Currently, I still continue to read for enjoyment and for information to help me become a better educator. My favorite author now is JoJo Moyes and my favorite book that I have read by her is Me before You. Reading is extremely important in my life and I want to continue to improve by learning as much information as possible to use it in my teaching career.

                Reading has always been an enjoyable experience and I try to emulate the same experiences in my classroom. I read books to my students the same way my parents read to me. I tell them I am proud of them to give them confidence when they do something positive. I try to be a role model for my students to look up to and I try to instill the love I have for reading in them. Literacy development is an ongoing process. As I read more, my ideas continue to change based on my experiences.