Literacy Experience

When I was in elementary school I had some trouble with reading. I was put in the “project leap” program where I worked one on one with some teachers and saw some progression in how I was reading. I remember starting off with (what I can now call) very easy books that only consisted of a few pages and repeatedly reading them as I worked my way up to books that were gradually harder. At the time I was not aware that I had trouble with reading and was not really sure why I was being taken out of my main classroom to just go and read books. Now that I have seen students in my CT’s classroom and have a better understanding of how teachers try to have their students catch up, I am thankful that I had the assistance of “project leap”.

After having this assistance, I became more interested in reading and did not see it as so much of a fight anymore. I think that I could definitely read for my own benefit more often, but I am happy that I am at least interested in sitting down with a book now, instead of rejecting any thought of reading any sort of text.

This experience was one that I had pushed to the back of my mind and never really thought about. As I stated before, I think I was somewhat oblivious as to why this was going on, but I think that just shows how my school did a great job at blending these programs in so students would not feel singled out. I have noticed that my CT has students who are similar to how I was and she also does an awesome job at not making it obvious who needs more help than others. This is something that I want to carry over in to my teaching career because I understand how some students might be embarrassed that they struggle with reading and I want to make sure I do not let any of my students fall behind.

This exercise has caused me to dig through my past and realize a very important turning point in my literacy learning that is now helping me deal with helping other students on ways to better learn literacy. I can already tell that my personal past experience is a strength because it is very easy for me to work with students who are struggling with reading because I am able to relate with them and draw upon methods that helped me succeed and have the students apply the same methods. It has shaped me in to a teacher who never gives up on their students and in to a teacher who can cater to a variety of students with a variety of reading skills.