Am I a good reader?
Throughout my life I've asked myself that particular question but over the past couple of years I've disregarded it because, in my opinion, I had thought myself a good reader. However, a couple of days ago I found out in one of my college classes that I am one of the slowest readers in my class. I'm not discouraged; I may not be quick and reading but I have always enjoyed a good book. Books are a source to me of escape from the realities and stresses of the world. Books take me into worlds of happy endings, adventures, and eccentric characters and lifestyles.
My favorite types of books are those that lift me up, make me feel inspired, or touch my heart. I wish I had the gift for loving textbooks but unfortunately, that genre of book does not have a place on my "to read" list.
One time in my life when I really enjoyed reading was my junior year of college. My family had recently experienced the death of a close family member. I had returned to school after the Christmas holiday and I felt very alone. I decided to start reading children's fiction. Whenever I was feeling down I went to my room and opened the Fablehaven series or Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. For a few moments I was able to get away from the drama of roommates, the stress of homework, and the sadness of being away from my family. From that experience I found one thing: reading keeps me sane. Nowadays, I try to have some type of recreational novel to read but I'm lucky if I have time enough time to spare to read a page.
As far as I can remember, my parents have always loved reading. I was never expected to read but I found joy in reading as I followed the example of my parents and older sister. As a teacher I want to set an example of reading for my students. I want to show them different books and articles that relate to the content area that I am teaching. I feel that giving interesting reading opportunities to students helps them to realize that reading doesn't always have to be boring. There are many magazines and books published that involve sewing, fashion, interior design, child development, cooking, and financial literacy. I need to help my students realize the potential of written media as it relates not only to my discipline but to their everyday lives.
I love meeting girls like you that LOVE reading, and getting their recommendations..got any suggestions for a good read over the weekend? Send them my way lady..!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think it's so cool how you used reading kind of as a coping mechanism. It really does have the potential to kind of just transport us to another world, we put our own worries and emotions on the shelf as we step inside the minds and lives of our favorite characters...love that idea. Great post!
Hi Camille--I loved the Percy Jackson series too. I think it's interesting that you thought of yourself as a good reader until you had a point of comparison with other students in terms of speed. I think many students are like you in the sense that it is easy to measure our progress by comparing it to others, rather than recognizing that reading is always a developmental and contextual skill. In other words, some students will read better in some contexts than in others; and some students will develop as readers at different times and in different ways, even into our adulthood. But still we tend to think that EVERYBODY (e.g., all sixth graders) should be at the same reading level for the same texts, even though the real world doesn't work that way (in my opinion, at least). Thanks for a great and thought-provoking posting!
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