What Makes Me a Reader?

                     Response to Blog Post #1

-I have been reading a lot of Lucy Calkins books lately because I will be teaching Writer's Workshop this fall for K-2.  I like to read articles and books about teaching that I can bring into the classroom.  


-I like to read magazines about gardening, fitness, and entertainment.

-I avoid reading political/business magazines and manuals.  

-I usually read in my bed or around the pool some.  I never read at the beach... I'd rather be playing in the sand with my kids!  


-I usually read at night.


-I loved to read to my kids when they were little!  I would put a kid on each side of me and we would curl up in the bed and take turns "reading." They would always pick 2 or 3 each and I always knew which one Marissa would pick.  It was a ratty old book about flies.  She would giggle uncontrollably when we would smack the fly in the picture.Those were some of my favorite memories.  Just a while back and made them sit beside me as I read a story to them, they are 12 and 9.  They grumbled and laughed at me at first, but they enjoyed it, or so I think! 


-My earliest memory of reading was seeing my Mamaw Davis reading the newspaper, Guidepost, and other things.  She had books, magazines, newspapers and print all over her house.  I remember thinking how smart she must be!  She always had something in her hands reading.  She had a set of encyclopedias I would always play with.  Later, I learned she only went to the third grade.  She was a very intelligent, strong woman and I can only imagine what she could have become if she had the opportunity to further her education.


-I remember being out of school in first grade for about a week due to sickness.  When I returned, the kids were putting a "smile" and dash (I thought was a frown) above vowels.  I was so confused!  I don't remember sounding words out.  I think I learned to read by sight.  Sadly, I fully didn't understand phonics rules until I taught it. I was not a good reader and I knew I wasn't in the high group or low group. I knew I was in the middle.  I remember hating to read out loud because I was such a shy child.  I didn't like Dick and Jane because it bored me to tears.  I knew they were old books too because Dick and Jane had out of style clothes on. :-)I wanted to read about animals or something that interested me.