Rebecca Young
“There once was a ghost who ate nothing but toast and spread it with butter and honey (Batko, 4)” I said as I thumbed through the pages of my favorite book while mom was fixing supper. “I can read,” I said. “That’s not reading,” retorted my big ten-year-old brother, Chris. “Is too”, I said. “Is not,” said Chris. The argument thus ensued until my mother stepped in to explain. “Well, Chris, in reality it is a form of pre-reading.” She explained words that I didn’t quite understand but somehow I got the message that I was successful in my battle of sibling rivalry as my mother took me on her lap and I, there three year old “Betta”, finished the book for her. When Chris left, I said, “Mommy, I really want to read- to read the words just like Chris does.” Thus began my introduction into the wonderful world of reading.
Reading has always been a part of my family’s life. My mom says that she held and rocked me while reading bedtime stories to my brother and me. Later, I was even able to turn the pages of my favorite storybooks at the right time. Of course this was only memorization and recitation, but it inspired in me a love for reading.
At about three or four, I, not wanting to be outdone by my “Big Brother” Chris I asked to learn to read. My mother began my reading experience by using flash cards. Later, we added games. Since I was the youngest, I always got to go first. If I got the word printed on the card correct, then it was my card. If I didn’t, then Chris, who already knew the words, got them. At first, I lost each game, but soon I was winning. At the time, I was too young to realize that I was winning more than just a card game between my brother and me. I was winning skills that opened new doors for me into a world of fun, entertainment, and knowledge.
When I entered kindergarten, I already was capable of reading quite a few words. I continued perfecting my vocabulary skills both at home and at school. Since my mother was a teacher, she continued to help me and was willing to sit while I read each night to her. We continued with family games as well. Although the k-3 reading literature was just basic, the basal books, I developed skills that I needed to continue perfecting reading. I was proud that I was always in the highest reading groups during this time period.
At my primary school the teachers did not teach phonics so my mother helped in this aspect. I can remember playing games as we drove to school or into town. My mother would start by saying, “I’m thinking of something that starts with a p.” She would sound out the sound. Then Chris and I would guess. Later, we went on to long and short vowel sounds and even diphthongs.
My spelling skills were also developed during this time period. Again, we did not learn phonics, so my spelling books were the old basal books. I practiced these at home too. I loved to practice there. My mom would call out the words. If I spelled it correctly the first time, I was allowed to turn a flip, cartwheel, or back flip. If not, I kept on until I could so that I could perfect my gymnastic skills as well as my spelling. What fun!! Even spelling was fun!
In late elementary and early middle school, I continued reading. I loved to go to the book fair and purchase books. My favorites were the “Box Car Kids” series and later “The Sweet Valley High” series. I was always in the high reading group during this time as well. One of my favorite books was, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
Although I was extremely active both in extra curricular activities at school as well as piano, dance, gymnastics, and baton out of school, in high school, I continued reading. Of course I read the texts and books that were necessary for my high school classes. That was a given! My mother’s rule was “good grades at school or no outside activities.” Therefore I had to read the necessary texts. With all that I did in and outside of school, I was pushed to find a lot o time to read. My brother would tattle on me. “Mama, you sent Becca to clean up her room and instead, she’s in there reading.” My mom would come in even if I were reading a torrid romance novel, she’d smile, close the door to the messy room and leave. I could hear her say to Chris, “At least she’s reading something!” Off they’d go to pursue their interests leaving me to mine-the wonderful world of reading.
You might say I as born with the love of reading. I cannot remember a time when books weren’t a part of my life either at home or at school. I am thankful of the reading skills that I developed both at school and at home. I am fortunate to have been born into a family where reading was not only important, but also entertaining and fun. Reading is wonderful life-long pastime that I can pass down to my own children as a teacher, to my students as well. I hope I can open this door for them and let them realize that reading is the key to learning as well as being a wonderful and enjoyable experience. Why not enter into this world of fun, entertainment, and knowledge- READ!!
Works Cited
Batko, Susan. The Yellow Book of Wordplay Stories. 1977, The Southwestern Company, Wilton, Conn.