Did you know?

[district12ravenclaw]

Did you know that I taught myself to read when I was 4 years old? I used to take books out to my dad and asked what sounds the letters made. I used to love reading when I was little. My grandma would take me to the store to buy toys, but I always wanted books. When I was in kindergarten, they sent me to 2nd grade for reading. When I was in 2nd grade, my teacher wouldn't allow me to choose the books I wanted to read; she began picking books for me, and ever since then, I've hated reading. I got into the Babysitters Club books, and read about 10-15 of those, as well as about 7 or 8 Mary Higgins Clark books, but when it came to school, I'd never read the assigned books.

Comments

[jrr91501.livejournal.com]

I was the SAME way! I used to love to read when I was little and even was able to spell really hard words for my age. My teachers were impressed. Then when I was in 4th grade I got in trouble at home for something and my stepdad would force me to read a book of his choice and write a report about it! This was everytime I got in trouble or he just felt like it. Ever since then I HATED reading. I only read things that I am truly interested in (like pregnancy, baby, etc...) and anything else I will not read. I used to skim books in high school and college to find answers. I never really ever read my textbooks. I guess what my stepdad did made me feel negative about reading.

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

How horrible that reading became a punishment, that's so awful.

[lamki.livejournal.com]

Oh no, I can't believe that 2nd grade teacher ruined reading for you! You must have been quite the impressive 4 year old!

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

I was the annoying 4 year old :D! We were at the grocery store one time, and apparently my neighbors saw us and said "oh, there's that little girl who talks a lot." Oops.

[peacemommy.livejournal.com]

Interesting reading history.:) I loved the BSC books when I was young, too. I still have all of them in my attic!

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to remember all the girls' names. Mallory, Claudia, Kristy?, MaryAnn?, and Stacey? I know there were more (the black girl who was a ballerina), but I can't remember.

[peacemommy.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, was is Jessi maybe? I am blanking out. Good trivia question. Remember all the big books too - Super Specials? Hahaha. I lived for those. What a dork I am/was.:) I can still remember the covers and colors of some of my favorite ones. Hahaha.

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, the super specials!

[madelynsmom.livejournal.com]

Wow. It is amazing that you can pinpoint your dislike for reading to one teacher, one situation. Teachers can have so much power over children. It is sad when the use it not for good.

And way to go teaching yourself to read!

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It totally sucked that it was ruined for me. She always made me read Beverly Cleary's Ramona books, and I can honestly say that I don't remember a thing about any of them.

[dukes-flygirl.livejournal.com]

What a horrible thing for that teacher to do to you to ruin your love of reading! WOW! I'm impressed you can pinpoint where your love of reading died!

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

It really sucks, but I guess I'm making up for it now.

[mom2six.livejournal.com]

Why in the world wouldn't the teacher let you read what you wanted to read? I think that is why so many kids absolutely hate reading. I had classes where they made me read things that I couldn't even understand so always hated reading. I was not good at English/reading classes. I let my girls read whatever they want to read for homeschooling as long as it is challenging.

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

She wanted me to read more advanced books, and I was mad that she wouldn't let me read what I wanted.

[jenniferinclyde.livejournal.com]

I hate stories of someone changing a kids view on reading! I understand making you read the required stuff TOO - but I think kids should be encouraged to read as much as they can (I used to get in trouble sometimes for reading too much - under the covers with a flashlight...I guess I understand that I needed sleep - but it still seems funny to me!)

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

If anything, teachers are supposed to foster a love of reading.

[rancid13.livejournal.com]

That sucks your teacher had an effect on your love of reading. I've always loved reading. When I was in HS I was in a different English lit class than my BFF and they had to read stuff like 1984 and The Jungle and I was bummed that we didn't get those books assigned, so I read them in my free time in addition to the required reading for my class. If there was ever any class I got good grades in, it had to do with English lit, essay writing, or any sector of English.

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

Big Brother is watching :D.

[aciss.livejournal.com]

LOL @ BSC! I was soo addicted to that series before and read them even when I was way beyond that reading level :)

[stevesbabygirl.livejournal.com]

Those books were awesome!