My Reading History

     I was considered a good reader in elementary school and had no difficulty earning "good" grades.  I was assigned some classics to read in the sixth grade and I read each one, but I didn't think the books were interesting.  I do remember enjoying Nancy Drew mystery novels though.  I had difficulty pleasing my middle school English teacher since I repeatedly used my home language at school.  I used what we now call African American language, not "standard English", in class.  My eighth grade teacher made us drop a quarter in her jar every time we used non-standard English in class. One of my good friends looked at me one day and said, "Why don't you just stop talking in class?".  Well, I wasn't exactly shy and not talking was more difficult for me than using standard English.
     Well, my high school experience was highlighted by my inability to analyze text.  Tenth grade honors English was humbling for me.  I was repeatedly asked to read and analyze novels and I truly didn't know how to "read between the lines".  I was a JV cheerleader that year and was benched  a few times due to the D/F I was earning in English.  I was convinced that English wasn't my thing, so I developed a love for math and physics since I managed to perform well in those subjects.
     College was filled with tutors and hours of studying to truly understand my textbooks, but I did it.  I decided not to give in, worked harder, and graduated from UCLA.  As a new teacher, I love teaching math and science and couldn't wait for reading time to end.  That changed once I truly learned how to teach reading.  I learned to love books along with my students.  I read things with and to my students that I have never read as a child.  I started reading self-help books like "7 Steps for Highly Effective People".  I loved self-help books and read all that were referred to me by friends.
     I do have a love for reading and learning now, but the road was jagged.  I enjoy memoirs, young adult novels, and self-help books.  The last book that I read for pleasure and truly enjoyed was "The Help".  I read daily; news, textbooks with my kids, workbooks for bible study, online news, stories assigned in Reading 25.  I can't go a day without reading and I that's fine with me.

Main Idea Activity

Chemistry Of Cooking -- A Biochemist Explains The Chemistry Of Cooking

After watching this video, determine the main idea of the video clip.

Two Weeks Completed!

CONGRATULATIONS!  If you are reading this post, it means that you have successfully set-up your blog page and you have found mine.  We have now finished two weeks of class.  You have reflected on your "Reading History", set-up your Townsend Press student account, completed your first online homework assignment, taken your first quiz, and created your own blog page.  WOW!! Just think, you thought you were just taking a "Reading Class".  You are, but I hope you think this class is everything but  ordinary.  You now need to publish your first post by adding your reading history to your page.  I look forward to reading each one.

Before you go click in the comment section below and tell me how you feel about our first two weeks.  I'd love to know.

Online Homework Site