My First Blog Post, EDUC 337

Well, this is my first blog post.

I feel a little behind the technological curve, but here I am. I made it. I'm a blogger.

In our first class we discussed what seemed like a lot, including this assignment. As well as some of our earliest memories of literature which had a lasting impact on us and our journey of learning how to read. I shared briefly that one of my earliest memories of learning to read was sitting with my dad on our couch as a child, reading a very simple children's story about a girl named Rosie I think and a Red wagon... Maybe it was pink? I can't remember exactly but I remember it being so simple that I basically memorized it and don't think I did a great job of actually comprehending the reading concepts... So it wasn't long before my dad invested in "Hooked on Phonics," after hearing of my struggle to read through my early elementary education from my teachers.

Another memory I shared, was of one book that made a strong impact on me, one I remember from fourth grade, a book we read aloud with our teacher in class each day/week as a "lit-set" book I believe perhaps, called " The Castle in the Attic" by Elizabeth Winthrop as seen below.

    

  

Here's several covers/copies of the book.

But, I remember enjoying reading this story together in class so much, and at this point in fourth grade beginning to have a much better grasp on reading phonetically. I think this book probably started my love of fiction literature. As later in middle school I loved reading The Wrinkle in Time series as someone else mentioned in class, the Harry Potter series of course (except I had to wait for each one to be published, up through high school and beyond ;), The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings, Chronicles of Narnia (which I wasn't introduced to until later in life, jealous that someone was read this as a child).

However, my love for reading didn't really take off until I was around 14 years old, in 8th grade or so. At which point I began reading the Bible for the first time in my life, and couldn't get enough of it.

I've never been an exceptionally fast reader, but comprehension wise I managed to get the job done eventually I suppose. Literature and reading eventually became stronger areas of academic performance for me, and I've enjoyed it over the years. Today, being thirty now, I read much more non-fiction, usually either course-related or reviewed books from friends and/or my church leaders. Now teaching my own 7-year old how to read is proving to have it's own familiar challenges again. So I might be purchasing Hooked on Phonics for my own child now... Haha.

As teachers and/or parents if you have reading strategies that have worked well for your children, what are they? I think my main challenge is being a single parent, there's never enough time... Please share and let me know!

My take-away(s) from our first class were not uncommonly a bit overwhelming/intimidating for our first class... but I think clarification will come as we move on. I like how Ms. Steffes said this was an 8 week course that would feel like 4, because that resonated with me according to my other 8-week course experiences.

Along with our early experiences with literature, we listened to and discussed some about various assignments, including the not un-daunting task which is to be our Unit Lesson Plan(s) - which I'm anxious to get started on organizing and getting together, and our blogs. Which I have to admit I'm a little intimidated, however excited as well, by.

For my 'two truths and a lie' here I'm going to share that I have three children, ages 5 year-7 years, I'm in the midst of a divorce, and I've been in school on and off for a total of 7-8 years - apparently I just can't stop! You decide if I'm being honest...