Memories That Changed My Literacy Journey

I was never truly an avid reader when I was younger. I was the oldest of five siblings and left in charge of taking care of my younger brothers and sister. I was more prone to spending time outside than reading a book. Of course, I did find myself enjoying a good mystery novel, but playing ball would always trump even a good book. All through school, I would find myself actively participating in one sport to another. I loved being active and thinking only of what I wanted to do. Life has a way of becoming a reality. The choices I made during my younger years have followed me to my current years. The busyness of work, family, and children have restricted my own freedom of time. Reading has become my favorite way of personal freedom without having to leave home. My favorite author at this present time is Beth Moore. She meticulously portrays God’s word and opened my eyes to the strength and power of God’s word for me today. God created me and has a specific purpose for me to fulfill. In order to begin this process, I need to accept and believe in

An early literacy sponsor in my life would be my great-grandmother. I learned how to read and write through my great-grandmother. Before preschool, I spent a good portion of my time at my great-grandmother 's house. I must have spent almost every day with her as a child. She was a bit on the older side, so she was retired, and spent most of her days alone upstairs in her living room. At the time, I was too young to be enrolled in pre-school, so while my mom was working and my sister was at elementary school, my mother would drop me off there. During the long days that we spent together, one of the literacy events that I can recall is when we would play "school.” She would be the teacher and I would be the student. Together, we would set up a

Books have shaped who I am today. Writing has provided me with a creative outlet. My literacy and writing history go way back. By the end of this essay, I hope you’ll have a better understanding of my literacy history.

Children start to love reading at a young age, but when reading textbooks the love for reading slowly starts to deteriorate. Most kids hate to read in school because it’s nothing they are truly interested in when in all reality children need to understand how important reading is. In the essay “My Literacy History” by Dedrick Skinner and “The Lonely Good Company of Books” by Richard Rodriguez he explains how he did not know why reading was so important, but as he grew older he understood its values. I also developed a love for books at young age when my mom began to read to me, but as I grew up I felt reading was a struggle because I didn’t understand its values like Rodriguez. Reading is an important aspect of a child’s life and it’s crucial to a student’s education and most students and parents neglect to see that reading will make a huge impact during their studies as a student.

Even though it isn’t my content area, I am a strong believer in the power of literature.

Early in my life, I used books as an escape from the harsh reality in front of me. When I was around five years old, I was trapped in an abusive and sheltered household. When the yelling started, I used to hide under my bed and stay very quiet. I would read any book that I could find to keep my mind off what was happening around me. I made myself a safe space under my bed with a light and pillows. I remember laying under there, wishing that I was one of the characters in my book. I prayed that somehow, I could be transported to another place where I felt safe and loved. However, through all that hardship, I developed a love for literacy. I would become so enthralled in a book that I could read for hours and never once look away.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury- The most recent book in my literacy journey, the book that opened my eyes. I believe that a great book teaches you a life lesson. It leaves a mark of wisdom on you. For me, Fahrenheit 451 did just that. In the beginning of my literacy journey, I never enjoyed books nor did I understand why people loved to read. Then, I would not have minded living in the world that Guy Montag- the protagonist in the story, did. where there were no books, where everything was technology based. Well because that is just easier, is it not? No. It was this book that enlightened me about the dangers that could come about in a bookless world. It was this book that truly gave me the large appreciation everyone should have for

Once upon a time about 30 years ago, I was just a little girl who wanted to explore the world. I wanted to explore the world through reading, but like many I wasn’t there yet. So here is the story about how I became a reader. With this week readings I learned that a child’s reading foundation can play a major part in how they comprehend things later in life. Growing up I thought that my reading wasn’t as great as my friends. As a matter of fact, I thought that the person who read the fastest was the smartest, but I quickly learn that to not be true. Actually with me reading slower I was able to comprehend the things that I read. Early Beginnings: Early Literacy Knowledge and Instruction talked about the importance of learning in the early years from birth to five. When I was small I attended daycare and I believe that learning while in daycare played a major role in my reading foundation.

The history of my literacy has been a long road of a frustration and learned lessons. As a child, I was a bit of a loner so reading and writing were the closest thing to a social life for me. The things that I bottled up inside came out through my writing and it became somewhat of a pass time for me. As long I could remember literacy as has been an important value for me in my life because from very young age I got express my true self without being judged by the outside. Even though in my later years I would deal with some heartaches and set back that lead me to give up on my love for reading. I would always come back to my real first love.

Literacy has applied over the course of my education and my life. As an education major, I believed that literacy was an ability to learn how to read and write. Furthermore, literacy has been a part of my education. I have come to an understanding that literacy is a lot more than what it seems. It’s about expressing yourself that includes your opinions and feelings. As a college student, I still feel like my literacy is evolving with every essay I write. But, through my literacy autobiography and literacy experiences. I have gained through the process of “growing up” as an educator. I 'd like to capture the hearts and minds of readers through my journey and experiences with literacy. As I take you back into the past of how literacy has grown inside me. I would one day like to show how these experiences will influence my teaching strategies.

As I explore my experiences with literacy my most vivid memory comes from a very late age. While most people draw their memories with reading, writing from a young age, I get mine from my eighth grade year. As a student up until this point I had done just enough to get through the courses and move on to the next year. My eighth grade year seemed to be extremely challenging, and this was due to various factors whether it be the demographics of my school since I was one of three white people in my grade, or my home life where I was adjusting to a new house with a new step mom, but my English teacher had spent the whole year causing me a great deal of agony. Every paper I turned in, I failed, and every effort I made to step up my writing was not

During my elementary years, I don’t recall being interested in reading, but I do remember the first time I fell in love with it. I was in my 7th-grade reading class. I just completed a quiz when my teacher realized that I had nothing to do after. She offered me a book that I will remember for the rest of my life because it is the book that basically started my reading journey. It was called Tears of a Tiger by Sharon Draper, I loved the book so much that I read the whole entire series. When I first met someone who didn’t like the book I was beyond shocked. Right at that moment, I realized that reading has its own effects on me. Reading has changed my writing skills, it has improved my knowledge and lastly, it has helped me manage my stress while going through hard times. Without reading I wouldn’t be the person that I am today.

One of my favorite memories growing up is how much time I spent reading. Whenever I got a new book I couldn 't put it down. I remember that I would always read on the bus ride home. Reading was something that I liked to do. As I’ve gotten older my choice of books has changed alot, a different genre for each of my phases. Today the books that always manage to get my attention are usually the books based on true events.

Since I was young, I have been passionate about lending a hand, to a person I felt needed support and this passion helped shape what my future may hold. An event happened that has been instrumental in developing my character and guiding my choices ever since. It was a late summer night and it was almost midnight when my soccer game ended, After the game, I ran into the washroom because I was dying to ease myself. I took an excessive time and missed my ride home; they must have thought I had another ride home. My situation made me become bewildered at what to do next then, I thought to myself on giving my mother a call. My bag was by my side so I reached into my bag for my phone and tried turning it on but, it was unresponsive so I figured my phone battery was dead.

I cannot remember exactly when I first learned to read. I image it would have began during my early school years. I was never or have ever been passionate about reading, however I did like my mum reading books to me at bed time as a child. I grew up in Liverpool, England were reading was never a priority. The only thing I liked to do when I was younger was play football (Soccer) and that’s exactly what I did whenever I had the opportunity to do so. From the age of 3 years old I have played for a football team that has resulted in practice up to four times a week and two games a week. After traveling to and from training, little time is remaining throughout the day for anything else.