Tuesday, September 18, 2007
10 times
When did I learn to read... I'm not really sure. I can remember back to when my mother and grandparents would read stories to me while I would be in my bed ready to fall asleep. I guess that is where it all started. My favorite stories would be from Disney. My sister and I would recite these stories in our play time by recreating the scenes and of course fight over who would be Cinderella or Ariel. In school learning to read began by learning vocabulary words. I would take home these words and practice writing them. I remember my grandfather making me write them over and over again, then finally having a "test," and which ever words I would miss-spell I would have to write again ten times each until I got them right. After the written test, I would have to spell them out loud. I guess my grandfather did that so I would really learn them, and not just visually remember them. Then when my mother would get home from work I would have to take another "test," to see the progress I have made between school, the time with my grandfather and then my mother. I remember gradually going from vocabulary words, to having to fill in the correct word in the blank, to reading short stories, and then having to answer the questions at the end. The initial strategies used in school and by my family were the foundations that were essential for me learning to read.
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3 comments:
Yeah Trish, I can really relate to your post. I feel that the learning and encouragement at home (outside the classroom) was really the "x-factor" in helping me learning to read. My mother is/was a teacher and really took the time and effort to make sure I read and wrote well. I never really struggled (or atleast I dont remember) with reading as a young child. This was probably from the extra work at home. In fact, I dont really have any memories of actually learning to read IN school. But I do remember having weekly spelling/vocabulary words around 2,3,4 grades though. Now I have a nephew that I am really close and I am doing the same thing with him (he is in 2nd grade).
Reading definitely spans in and out of school contexts. The stories we learn, too, allow us to organize information in ways that make sense -- beginning, usually, with fairy tales. That's how important a fairy tale can be for a child.
After reading your post I was able to think back when my mother use to read me those big picture story books. I wasn't able to read the books by myself but I was able to memorized the stories and told the stories to my dolls. The first challenge I had as I attend the first school year. I need to spell the words correctly. therefore, my mom made me pronounce the words and rewrite it couple of times to memorize the words. I hated it!!!
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