Literacy Vignette

When I was growing up I remember books being an important part of my life. As early as I can remember, my mother would take my brother and me every week to the library for "story hour". There, books "came to life" for me. Afterwards, we would look forward to checking books out and taking them home.

My mother would also read bedtime stories to us. One story I fondly remember was Little Red Riding Hood. Every time my mother would read this story, she would alter the words "grandma's house" to "granny's house" because that was what we called our grandmother.

I also have fond memories of my brother and me creating our own personal library. We would create pocket sleeves to put in the back of our books to hold the sign out cards and take turns being the librarian. I remember purchasing books from the Scholastic Book Company which helped supply our personal library.

My first grade teacher was another big influence with my love for books. In her class, in a back corner, was a cast iron tub full of fluffy pillows. A bookshelf sat next to the tub to allow students to pick their favorite book. My teacher made reading so enjoyable and I was thrilled to attend school each day. My goal as a future teacher is to make my classroom as welcoming.

In later years of my elementary career, I remember my fifth grade teacher reading aloud to the class after lunch. This classroom technique gave us students a great opportunity to use our imaginations in that my teacher read so enthusiastically and therefore made mental pictures so vivid. She made "reading time" a relaxing and pleasant experience.

Today I still enjoy reading for my own satisfaction; however, my new passion is to read to my 2 1/2 year old son. I feel I am a better rounded individual because of the encouragement I had as a child to read. Books will always be a part of my life and as a future elementary teacher; I hope to create a classroom where children will become life long readers.

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Date Last Edited: 04/27/2005 10:35:01 AM