Reading Time Analysis

For as long as I can remember reading has caused me a great deal of stress. I trace this back to the first grade. Prior to that time I enjoyed reading. We always had a variety of books in our home and would read as a family. My parents would read my brothers and me bedtime stories. This reading time, was something I looked forward to everyday. However, when I started school the teacher decided I was not reading fast enough. This started me down a path that lasted for four years. In the first grade we had reading time every day and often the teacher would listen to us read. During our reading time we would read a paper which included a word count. After a couple months my teacher decided I was not reading fast enough and needed a special reading para. As a result, I was pulled out of class every day to meet with the para. In the beginning I actually enjoyed this special reading time. This is because I was uncomfortable with my first grade teacher and loved my para. During this reading time the para and I would do a variety of different activities. At first we would go into her room and talk about my day. Next, I would choose a paper with the word count to read. The para always had a stopwatch, but I was not for sure what she was doing with it. After the paper

It was obvious to my parents that I had figured out how to read and comprehend by myself. We decided that no one would be following me around the rest of my life, timing how fast I read and I would have to learn to pace myself on my own. Therefore, they informed the school that they no longer gave permission for me to be pulled out of class and no one was to time my reading all the time. I felt free and could finally enjoy school and reading. I may still read at a slower pace than some, but that is ok. The important point is I can