Raising a Reader

At school most people think of me as a "language arts" kind of person. The funny thing is that reading and writing are not the things that come naturally to me at all. Growing up in school, I was much better with numbers and science than my ELA classes. Being a very analytical person who likes to deal with facts and figures makes the concrete formulas of mathematics appeal to me. However, when I decided to become a teacher I knew that a major part of my job would be to help my students grow as readers and writers. That is why I chose to focus my attention on that area in grad school, and it really did stretch me as a teacher to go far beyond my typical comfort zone. All of that to say, my appreciation for the commitment it takes to really become an accomplished writer and reader has grown throughout my teacher career. Studying language is HARD work when it is not something you love from a young age, and even when you do love it there are always new mountains to climb.


I watch children and grownups everyday struggle because their reading and writing skills are lacking. And, for most people what comes hard is what we avoid tackling---kind of like going to the gym regularly for me. Anyway, after having Madeleine and Micah one of my biggest desires has been to teach them to love books and language. I don't care if they grow up to be English majors or authors, but I want them to be able to utilize the power of words to become better people and to influence others. These are lofty goals, but I am determined to provide them with the models and support they need to accomplish this mission.

Last Friday my mom graciously agreed to run around Harbison Boulevard with me as I checked off errands to prepare for Madeleine's birthday party. Justin and Daddy took the kids back to the house to start baths and bedtime routines. When I got home, Justin shared this video with me of Granddaddy helping Madeleine to read a Bernstein Bears book at the kitchen table. This was such a special moment that I wanted to capture it on the blog to remember it forever. I have really learned to appreciate how much intentional effort goes into fostering a love of reading and writing in kids. This is something that even as a teacher I have to really focus upon to make happen consistently. I also have a new appreciation as an upper elementary teacher when I have a child in my class who is a strong reader or writer because I am learning how much work it took to get them there in the primary grades at school and home. Thank you Daddy for helping Madeleine, even when I was too busy. Madeleine probably will not appreciate it until many years from now, but her mama thinks you're the best!