One of my first memories of
language arts goes as far back as kindergarten. At that time in my life I lived
in Alabama and attended Glenwood School. My teacher at the time had been
reading to the class as a whole and encouraging us, the students, to go out and
find books that we would enjoy and that we could read by ourselves. Part of
this lesson included a visit to the school library. There we were to search and
find a book that we would like and be willing to read. We also were to check
the book out of the library and to bring it home to read with our parents. To
this day my mom and I still remember and even have our own copy of Millions ofCats. At that point in my life when I went into the library looking for a book
to read and check out, I loved cats. I had my own cat at home that I loved and I
wanted to continue reading, thinking, and talking about cats. I knew it would
be something that I enjoyed and could have fun with. I really don’t remember
how the Dewey decimal system worked, or how I found the book within the vast
sea of books that surrounded me, but fate somehow brought the book to me. I saw
the cover and could read the title, and right off the bat I decided that would
be the book I was going to read and check out to bring home. After reading the
book alone during the time we were given in the library and in the classroom, I
was in love. I could not wait to go home and share the book with my mom. At home
my mother read the book to me and I read the book to her as well. It was
something we enjoyed together. After having to return the book when it was due
and the lesson was well over, I can remember returning to the library many times
and continuously checking and rechecking the book out time and time again. Overall
I think this was a HUGE step and an AMAZING memory for my language arts
development. By finding something that I really loved reading about and being
able to enjoy it over and over by myself and with my mother, it really made a
BIG impression on me. I experienced that reading and sharing what I had read
was FUN. I think this experience really helped to show me that books are fun
and that reading is fun as well. I believe this was an important experience for
me to have that really helped me to develop. By realizing how much fun I could
have with books and the sharing of them, I was convinced to continue on my path
of reading for school and for enjoyment. I believe that a good first experience
with books is crucial for young language arts learners. With a good first
experience like mine students will want to read in school and outside of
school. With encouragement and enjoyment it will make them happy and will give
them memories, like mine to remember and recall as they grow and learn throughout
the years.
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