Since I don’t know where to start, I suppose it should be at the beginning: the first things I remember about my literacies, education, and such.The first books that I remember reading were “The Beauty and the Beast” and a huge, old book of Mother Goose nursery rhymes.I don’t remember if these are the first books that I read, or which of the two I read first, I simply remember both from when I was very young.The book of Mother Goose rhymes I got from my grandma.It had been my mother’s and my uncle’s when they were growing up.I recall that the hard, gray cover was falling off and the pages were stiff and hard to turn.I read that book all the time; and even as I got older I would use it as a sort of reference book to help me remember the old sayings and rhymes.The Beauty and the Beast was a book that I got for Christmas one year.It was one of those big, colorful storybooks that kids seem to love so much.As far as I can remember, The Beauty and the Beast was the first book I ever had read to me at bedtime.I got the book as a gift from one of my relatives, my aunt I believe, on Christmas Eve.That night my parent’s read it to me in bed to get me to go to sleep.It amazes me that I can remember these things; I guess it just goes to show how important reading and writing can be. After all these years, I have no clue what happened to either of those books.They just seemed to disappear, like so many things from childhood do.
As far as writing goes, it took me a while to truly get into it.In the fourth grade, when we did our first portfolio, there were certain days I would stay after school for a writing class.It was just a class where a few of the students who showed good writing skills stayed after school to work on their portfolios and to learn a bit about writing.Although I participated in this extra class and did well on my portfolio, I still did not truly enjoy writing.That did not happen until 7th grade, low and behold, another portfolio year.My English teacher that year was a literacy genius, if there is such a thing.This was purely because she was able to teach us good writing and editing techniques and get us, or at least myself, to actually enjoy it.She had a way with words and was able to teach it, in some degree to her students.When I think about Mrs. Brown and how amazing she was as a person and teacher, I can’t help but to tear up a bit.When we focused on writing that year, she really got me into the swing of things; she got me in the mood to write.Because of that I was able to do all of my portfolio pieces rather easily and do them correctly along the way.This allowed me to be on the peer editing team and help out with revising other student’s papers.Mrs. Brown also got me into writing poems.I have never liked to write poems, but that year I did, and I could churn them out with the flip of a switch.I specifically remember writing a poem in the last 10 minutes of class one day.When I got that poem back with very minimal corrections to be made, I was so proud of myself and my writing abilities.That year I got a distinguished on my writing portfolio, thanks in part (A big part!) to Mrs. Brown, the literacy genius.Also thanks to her, I enjoyed writing all through my middle school years.
From 4th grade to 8th grade I did a lot of reading, because of the fact that I enjoyed it.In those grades, however, we were required to check out and read books.I’ve always been a good reader and read above my grade level.During the younger ages I would read just about anything, but the older I got, the pickier I got.In 5th and 6th grade I would read nothing but R.L. Stine and others like him.That was the only thing I wanted to read, those cheesy, teen horror and mystery books.Thank goodness that over those summers I went to the Goodnight Library and checked out some different books.Some of the books I read at that age were really good; unfortunately I can’t remember the name or author of any of them.In middle school I became more closed minded about books and would only read what was required for class.Unless something really appealed to me, that is.In 7th grade I discovered the book The Outsiders.Today it is one of the two books that I can actually list as one of my favorites.
All that was then, and this is now.When I entered high school I quit reading and writing in my spare time.And now when I have a writing assignment, its nothing but a hassle and inconvenience.I don’t know why it turned out that way; I guess my views on reading and writing have just changed.Reading and writing went from an extracurricular leisure in my childhood to a down right pain in the butt throughout high school.Maybe it’s the high school’s fault I don’t like reading anymore.Maybe even high school students should be required to check out and read a book on their own.But then again, I don’t think our library has that many books for casual reading… or does it? I really wouldn’t know.
I think if I could get into reading and writing again I would still enjoy it - but it’s just that, getting into the habit of doing those things once again.I know that this year, as a senior, I have another portfolio to do.So maybe I’ll get back into the groove and actually enjoy writing again.And this isn’t so bad, I haven’t had nearly as much trouble writing this as I expected.Still, this year will be no 7th grade, so I just don’t know.Throughout high school I have read one book in my spare time, and go figure, it’s my other favorite book: Walk This Way” The Official Aerosmith Autobiography.Why this book?Aerosmith is my favorite band, therefore I was very eager to read and, in turn, learn about them.For four years that has been the only book I’ve read outside of school.Also, that is why I only have 2 books that I know I can list as favorites.I have not read enough as an older, more mature person to even have a list of favorite books or authors.Do I regret that?Yes, but its hard for me to have the time to find a good book and read it.I’m not one of those people who can read one chapter of a book, then two weeks later whenever I have some time, pick it up and read another chapter.I have to be continuous and consistent when I read a book, or else, I don’t enjoy it.
So there it is, my literacy autobiography.More or less one big, long rant about my experience as a reading, writing, and English student.It took me a little more than an hour to complete.I guess the “just let it flow” method works pretty well for me, hopefully so anyway.It has the tone of a personal memoir, but I suppose that’s what an autobiography is.Ok, my rant ends here, the bottom line is, literacies are often taken for granted, but are very important and meaningful in one’s life.It takes an assignment like this for me to fully realize that – Thank you Mrs. Wyatt.
My
Comments
Teachers
don’t you just love it when students suck up to you?Well,
I loved this Literacy Autobiography for a number of reasons:
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