Being able to choose things that are important in my life isn't hard, but choosing one ITEM that I can't live without, that's challenging. Even though it's a little difficult, I managed to choose one thing that I knew I couldn't live without....my E-READER! For those of you who know me, and for those of you who don't, I love to read! When I'm not hanging out with my family or doing things for school, you can find me huddled up next to my Nook reading away. I read pretty much anything I can get my hands on, but I really love YA novels, especially Dystopian reads!
When I was younger I hated reading. I hated reading because I thought I wasn't good at it and I didn't like being told what to read. One summer, while staying with my Ami (my grandma), she tasked me with reading for 30 minutes each day. 30 minutes seemed like such a looooong time, but like most challenges I was up for it. I will never forget the one piece of advice she gave me, "Read what you want. Don't read something you don't like. Reading is reading, no matter what you are reading."
That summer I started reading Archie Comics and my world opened up to the possibilities that literature could provide. I will never forget those words of encouragement my Ami gave to me that one summer day, so much so, that I still pass it on to my own students. During our Daily 5 time in class, my students have the opportunity to read independently or with a partner. During that time they can choose to read whatever they want as long as they are engaged and reading. I have had students bring in auto classifieds, comic books, scrapbooks (they create their own stories by "reading" the pictures), and more!
Reading is reading, no matter what you are reading.
Archie comics are awesome! I spent so many summer days wishing I could plant myself into Riverdale High and hang out with the gang! My husband still has a few of the Double Digest's kicking around our basement and our 9 year old daughter has started reading them. That just goes to show how universal the comic is!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up and I hope to see you next week, too!
Monica
www.iheartgrade3.com
www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/I-Heart-Grade-3
Monica,
DeleteThanks for the opportunity. One of the drawbacks of starting your blog in the summer is that there isn't a whole lot of school material to blog about. I appreciate your summer linky as it allows me to get some practice and start building my blog! Thanks again.
Amanda
Your Ami sounds like a wise woman. Reading is reading and so many children don't learn to enjoy it because they never get to just read for pleasure. Choice is so important in developing a love of reading & so is being able to put down a book you dislike to find one you do.
ReplyDelete✿April✿
✿Grade School Giggles✿
April,
DeleteShe was one of the wisest women I knew, and an educator too! I agree with you on the subject of choice. I like to provide as many opportunities for my students to choose their literature, but they also know that sometime we have to read certain/specific information. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
I love my Nook too!! I have so many books on it, I have got to start weeding some out to make room for new ones!! Your Ami sure is a smart cookie, reading should be about fun and not about work! Kudos to you for sticking with it! I love to read and am a hoarder of books, especially children't literature!
ReplyDeleteIt was so great to read about you with this linky!
Warmest Wishes,
Erin
Kindergarten Dragons
Erin,
DeleteI have a ton of book son my nook too! I'm a hoarder, but I won't get rid of any of them :). Thanks for your comment and for visiting my blog!
Amanda