Reading History Essay

                                   Reading History Essay

Literacy is a way that people have communicated, expressed and shared thoughts and ideas to one another. It’s the ability to express yourself and your views to the world through writing, books or media. Since ancient times, literacy has existed and has evolved from stories being told, to books and other forms of text, to present day electronic publication mediums, such as blogs. By reading a book, writing in a journal, blogging or even just talking, you are applying your literacy. On a daily basis we use literacy, integrating it into our lives physically and mentally. The roots of literacy are planted upon learning our first letters and words at a few years of age. As we age and learn more, our minds grow and along with it, the roots of literacy. It is much like a tree,  growing as the roots grow. Elementary school is when roots sprout, upon starting to the process of reading books in class; and since then I was hooked.

My teacher was the first to truly influence me to start reading. In the first grade, I received my first book to read and I loved it. My parents have always read stories to me and told me many fairy tales. I was read to almost every night and I loved to sing the alphabet song. They  even taught me how to read a little too, but in school, I was taught crucial skills so that soon I would start reading all by myself.Soon I would start reading to my fellow classmates, which was a great experience. I always enjoyed taking trips to the library, where I enjoyed reading a wide selection of stories; it was just amazing how many there were. Pinocchio was my all time favorite fairy tale as a child. I even watched the Disney movie almost everyday and always was told not to lie as that was one of the morals of the story. These were some of my first experiences with reading and literacy.

Elementary school, is where I truly began reading and writing. I started Kindergarten at Cold Spring Elementary school, located in Gloucester City, NJ. For the rest of my Elementary school years, transitioned to Union Valley Elementary school, in Gloucester Township. One author I particularly loved as a child was Eric Carl, mainly because he was the first author introduced to me and thus jump started my literary progression. As I progressed in school many books did in fact spark my interest. Some of the series that I read through out school were, “The Magic Tree House” and “The Time Warp Trio” along with other similar stories. All my teachers encouraged this good habit of reading and one teacher in particular was instrumental in developing this habit. My library teacher, Mrs. McCann. She would always suggest books and authors, which helped us reflect upon what we are reading. We would write reports, and keep a journal with entries from the characters perspective. One lesson I learned from her was to read in between the lines. Don’t just read what is there, interpret whats not there and learn from the many lessons hidden within the narratives. After elementary school, I became an avid reader, reading for leisure and having a desire to gain knowledge from books.

The middle school I attended was Ann Mullen Middle School. At Mullen, I read a wide array of books and started to focus on certain genres and authors. In middle school my favorite authors were James Patterson, Jennifer Bradbury, Graham McNamee and Darren Shan. At first, I was very open to any genre, taking suggestions from friends and teachers. As I was exposed to many different authors and genres, I started enjoying reading more specific genres, such as action, suspense, mystery and some horror stories. One book I enjoyed the most was “Shift” by Jennifer Bradbury. I finished this book within a week, as it was filled with mystery and suspense. It was a page gripping plot beset with realistic plot twists and turns; it kept me reading until the very last page. Throughout my middle school years, my taste for the action, suspense, horror or mystery novels has not changed; although I am open to suggestions.

As a freshman in high school this year I plan to read more higher level books with the genres I enjoy reading. Also I am anticipating assignments in which I may explore the many complex themes and topics, presented in classics such as, “The Catcher In The Rye”(Which talks of adolescent struggles and how others are judged). On a daily basis I read more than just books, I read as many news articles online, and enjoy reading various magazines and newspapers such as Entertainment magazine. I would consider myself a literate person, as I enjoy reading various books and articles. Also I enjoy writing as well, but at times I find my self with “writers block” and can’t write at all. With the new digital age, literacy has been taken to a new level, with blogs, and Facebook, and even online books. I have constantly been keeping up with this new age literacy, so that I am literate in the digital world too.

At this moment in time... my feelings on reading are very much the same and have not changed much at all. I perceive reading as an enjoyable way to relax, and take your mind off of things and I love it. At the moment I am reading “Mother Night” by Kurt Vonnegut (as recommended by my older brother). I am looking forward towards exploring the inner depths (revealed in the “shades of grey”) of the character and how he changes as the story progresses. I believe that literacy is very important in our lives, as it is how we communicate and show our thoughts and opinions. It is described as the ability to read and write, and if we can’t -- how will will talk, or express ourselves? Most of all, how can we learn or gain knowledge, if you can’t read or write -- how can you tell other people what you are feeling, or how can others tell you? Literacy has helped me think more clearly and see how others see. When someone tells me how they feel, or when someone writes something, I can read what they have said. I can then understand how they are feeling and perceive the world through their eyes. In doing so, it opens your eyes to an alternative understanding -- someone else’s understanding. It has also helped me communicate with others, letting them know how I feel as well. With this people can understand one another and make the world a better place, because if you can’t tell someone how you feel, nothing will change.

Literacy is a tree, as with the first seed planted when you are young, grows and sprouts into a sapling and then finally into a tree. My own literacy and skills, although as a sapling now, grows as I gain more knowledge, allowing me to enhance my softer skills in oral and digital communication (blogs, Facebook, etc.).  At this moment, this tree has grown much from the beginning but it is still growing and I anticipate that it will continue to reach for sky and spread its canopy throughout the world.