Literacy Narrative

Literacy Narrative

            Even though my mother always hated reading, she knew the value of it and read to me when I was a child in hopes that she could instill the values in me at a young age and that a love of reading would flow within me throughout my life. Because of this, I realize that even if a student does not like reading, I need to strive to show that student the importance of reading and the impact that it will have on his/her whole life.  I also realize that there may be books that I come across that needs to be taught because it conveys certain themes that my students need to learn, and since I was taught from a woman who knew that what's best for the child may not be something she herself likes, I too know that what is best for my students may not be something that I like; I still need to do it.

            As a beginning reader, my favorite books were Dr. Seuss' Foot Book, Berenstain Bears, and Sesame Street books, but my first book that I read by myself, and my all time favorite was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. I absolutely loved that book, and because it was my first book that I read alone, I will always cherish it and the memories of accomplishment that it brings. When I was in first grade, I was selected to read to kindergarteners; there were only two people from my class that were selected to read to the younger students, so I felt a sense of duty, I felt respected, and I felt proud of myself. As a youngster, I already wanted to share my own love of books with others; I would sit my sister down in front of the fireplace with me and read to her. It made me feel important because I was keeping my sister entertained while my mother did housework, and now my sister loves to read. I have shared something with her that she will always enjoy.

            As I moved on up to  chapter books, my favorites became Amelia Bedilia, the Ramona books by Beverly Clearly, and the Boxcar Children series. I also started reading Goosebumps and Little House on the Prairie.  The selection of books that I read during my elementary school years was very diverse. A diverse reader is a good aspect of an effective teacher, and I went through comedy, mystery, scary/thriller, and historical pioneer fiction.

            During my Jr. High reading career I also read a wide variety of books. I read a couple of Lurene Mc Daniels romance novels. I read Fade by Robert Cormier, Lowis Duncan's mystery novels, and many others. In High School, I mainly read mystery/suspense novels until finally, during my later High School years, I discovered a love of fantasy fiction. Reading fantasy fiction in High School has brought me to enjoy Medieval literature and heavily influenced my decision to choose Medieval Studies as a minor. So few people enjoy the Medieval texts, and students deserve to have a teacher who enjoys what he/she is teaching. Not only does it make the class more enjoyable for both teacher and student, but the teacher is more likely to know about the specific area of study that he/she enjoys.  

            In High School I did not enjoy reading many of the books that were forced upon me by my English teachers. I liked some, including Frankenstein, Lord of the Flies, The Great Gatsby, and a few others. The teacher can either make or break the book, and my teachers did not make the novels appear interesting. Since I have realized this as a student, as a teacher, I will strive to bring enjoyment to the books by making class discussion about them interesting, and finding ways for the students to connect to the material. Such tools are not only useful in gaining student attention, but also for student motivation and to create lifelong readers of my students.

            In college, I have taken many literature classes and realized that I enjoy certain genres of novels that I never would have recognized on my own. My professors have made books interesting to me, and sparked in me a love for Western (Homer, Virgil, etc.)  Medieval, Victorian, and Modern literature. I have even read books that I did not find interesting, only to delve into class discussion,  and find that I absolutely love the  novel. One example would be Pamela by Samuel Richardson. When I first started reading this novel, I found it uninteresting. After the first day of class discussion, I went straight home, picked up the book, and could not put it down. I hope that I have the ability to help my own students find interest in a book that they do not like, and I think that having experienced this first hand, I have picked up a few skills that will help.

            I have made a long journey starting with picture books, going to chapter books, and now I am not only reading, but analyzing texts. My college English courses have prepared me with the skills that I need to synthesize, interpret, and write about texts. They have also prepared me with the necessary tools to teach others how to read and write about literature. My only hope is that I can create lifelong readers and writers out of my students.