My best memory of literacy is from my experiences in the 4th grade with my teacher Mr. Carney. We read a variety of books, but right now the only one I remember clearly is the first book in the Harry Potter Series. I distinctly remember one day when I was reading aloud in class and my teacher complimented how well I read aloud to the class. After that school day, my teacher took my father aside to tell him how great of a reader I was. I never knew this! It was news to my ears but my parents were excited. I didn’t really know what that meant so I just kind of went along with it, but I still hold that day in my memory as one of the nicest academic compliments I ever received in my youth.
-Danielle Newman
My most fond memory of literacy is when I started to actually appreciate it. In middle school, there were plenty of programs that promoted the development of reading and writing, and I hated 95% of them. It was not until I found a book that I adored, that I actually understood the emphasis the school was placing on these topics. Shamefully, this book is titled My Teacher is an Alien, and, needless to say, does not have very dense subject matter, but I guess one has to start somewhere. I will never forget that silly book, nor will I forget how meaningful literacy is, especially in our society.
I love how potent memory-making moments like that are, and how catalyzing. 🙂