I love books.
LOVE THEM.
I don't get it when people say, "I'm just not into reading."
What does that even mean and what planet are they from?
Yes, I will judge you by the books you read.
In my mind I have ALWAYS loved reading and I never remember struggling to read. I remember being an excellent reader and a fast one. But my mom tells a different tale. One of a painfully, shy quiet girl who was afraid to open her mouth.
I remember reading groups. We were grouped by ability though they thought we couldn't figure that out. We had names like Leopards, Lions and Cheetahs. That was EXTREMELY confusing to me. The names sounded too alike and I couldn't keep them straight in my head. Periodically we changed group names to another theme...flowers or something equally unfamiliar and confusing to me.
I was a nervous wreck when reading group time rolled around. What if I went to the wrong group and they laughed at me? What if I missed my group? I remember deciding to just stay in my seat. But sometimes that plan backfired.
The teacher didn't notice that I didn't get up for my group and when she realized it was too late. Other times she did notice and called for me to join them. I didn't like to stand out. I just wanted to go unnoticed. By the time I got to my group I was flustered and scared. The kids read slow...painfully S-L-O-W so I read ahead to calm my nerves. But then I would be called on and wouldn't know where we were because I had already finished the page. Based on this my teacher thought I waspretty jacked up facing some reading challenges.
Apparently my mom and teacher cooked up a plan that involved me reading to my little brother. I loved it and it was very clear that I was an excellent reader...just a very shy little girl. I imagine the teacher figured out a subtle way to remind when it was my reading group's time. Surrounded by better readers meant I wasn't insanely bored listening to them drone on s-l-o-w-l-y and painfully. I managed to read ahead but still listen to the others since they were a bit more entertaining so I would know where to start when it was my turn to read out loud. The stories made more sense when read more fluently. I answered questions and developed some serious reading confidence...at least that is how I remember it.
And I have had a book in my hand ever since.
What do you remember about learning how to read? What were some of your favorite books as a child?
LOVE THEM.
I don't get it when people say, "I'm just not into reading."
What does that even mean and what planet are they from?
Yes, I will judge you by the books you read.
In my mind I have ALWAYS loved reading and I never remember struggling to read. I remember being an excellent reader and a fast one. But my mom tells a different tale. One of a painfully, shy quiet girl who was afraid to open her mouth.
I remember reading groups. We were grouped by ability though they thought we couldn't figure that out. We had names like Leopards, Lions and Cheetahs. That was EXTREMELY confusing to me. The names sounded too alike and I couldn't keep them straight in my head. Periodically we changed group names to another theme...flowers or something equally unfamiliar and confusing to me.
I was a nervous wreck when reading group time rolled around. What if I went to the wrong group and they laughed at me? What if I missed my group? I remember deciding to just stay in my seat. But sometimes that plan backfired.
The teacher didn't notice that I didn't get up for my group and when she realized it was too late. Other times she did notice and called for me to join them. I didn't like to stand out. I just wanted to go unnoticed. By the time I got to my group I was flustered and scared. The kids read slow...painfully S-L-O-W so I read ahead to calm my nerves. But then I would be called on and wouldn't know where we were because I had already finished the page. Based on this my teacher thought I was
Apparently my mom and teacher cooked up a plan that involved me reading to my little brother. I loved it and it was very clear that I was an excellent reader...just a very shy little girl. I imagine the teacher figured out a subtle way to remind when it was my reading group's time. Surrounded by better readers meant I wasn't insanely bored listening to them drone on s-l-o-w-l-y and painfully. I managed to read ahead but still listen to the others since they were a bit more entertaining so I would know where to start when it was my turn to read out loud. The stories made more sense when read more fluently. I answered questions and developed some serious reading confidence...at least that is how I remember it.
And I have had a book in my hand ever since.
What do you remember about learning how to read? What were some of your favorite books as a child?
6 comments:
It is crazy when people say they aren't into reading! Books can take you to different places, different periods in time, different perspectives, different emotions...the list goes on & on. When I was younger I loved all of the The Little House In The Prairie books. I bought the whole collection for my girls before they could even read so I could reread them myself :-)
I loved those too! Did you ever read The Littles? I also loved Judy Blume especially Fudge and SuperFudge.
I'll have to check out The Littles. That isn't ringing a bell. As for Judy Blume, we are crazy for her in our house :-)
I remember reading Frog & Toad Adventures in my closet. I wanted to read it so badly, I am convinced that I taught myself! Another favorite reading memory was blowing through the Little House books. I still have them and am saving them for my boys. Who had BETTER read them!
I read constantly! There were books in the cushions of the couch, books under the clothes hamper in the bathroom so I could read in the tub, everywhere! I read Nancy Drew, Judy Blume, The Secret Garden, all those books you read when you are growing up. I still love children's books and am so glad my kids have shared their books with me.
So glad to find another diehard reader! I can't imagine NOT reading. Did you read Trixie Belden books?
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