Hello everybody, My name is Linda Younts and I am a Kindergarten teacher at Oak Hill Elementary in High Point. I have been working on my masters degree in reading education for a while, but I am almost there now since I only have one more class left after this one. I have been a teacher for 15 years. I have taught third grade for two years, second grade for three years, first grade for nine years, and finally this is my first year in Kindergarten. I have truly found my nitch in Kindergarten and love it! I find Kindergarten to be a great place for someone who loves to teach reading since this is where literacy starts to take root in a child.
So how did I become literate and what do I believe about literacy and learning? As I reflect upon how I came to my own methodology about literacy, I find my childhood to be the foundation for where I am and how I came to my own beliefs.
As early as I can remember, I loved school and learning. I always wanted to please my teachers and parents and always followed the rules. I was always a good student and made good grades.
My earliest memories of literacy and learning began with remembering my mom reading to me quite often. I loved Dr. Seuss books and ended up with an entire collection of them. I read the Dr. Seuss books over and over, learned rhyming words and even memorized some of the pages. I also loved reading Pippi Longstocking books. I recall reading the Humpty Dumpty magazines and enjoyed completing the activities in them. Nursery rhymes were also a favorite of mine, and I knew a lot of them by heart. Reading seemed to come easily for me and it became a love of mine.
Next to my mom, the library became one of my best friends. Every Saturday, my mom used to take me to the library where I listened to the storyteller. I believe this along with my mom reading to me, helped spark my love of reading and storytelling.
I recall going to a neighbor’s yard sale and purchasing The Dick and Jane Elementary School Reader. I loved to play school with this book. Playing school was one of my favorite things to do as a child. At home, I had a chalkboard that was on a stand. I would put math problems on the chalkboard and test my sister and friends. We would also complete workbook problems and I would grade them as if I were the teacher. I also remember loving going to school as much as I loved playing school. I enjoyed learning and being exposed to new things.
I can never remember a time when I couldn’t read, but I do remember some of the times when I was learning to read. I remember sitting in my first grade teacher’s classroom and her flashing cards to see if I knew the sight words. One of the most vivid memories I have about reading was when my teacher told me that if I didn’t stop to pause after the period, she would take me out of the top reading group. Needless to say, I never forgot to pause after the period again. Most importantly, I learned a valuable lesson from this experience, what I say as a teacher can have a lasting effect on my students.
Little did I know that when I began second grade it would be the key to guiding me into my future career. My second grade teacher became my inspiration to becoming a teacher. I loved Mrs. Williams and her pleasant nature. I remember that I wanted to please her and once called her mother. I have heard it said that when a child calls you mother, you can consider it a compliment. She was so sweet, patient and she made learning fun. After being in her class, I always said I wanted to be a teacher. I guess what they say about our influences as a teacher is true. We do make a lasting impression on our students!
As I reflect upon my literacy experiences, it makes me appreciate what my parents did for me by reading to me and exposing me to literature. By reading out loud my mom was modeling fluent reading and increasing my knowledge of the world, my vocabulary and my familiarity with written language. A child’s literacy seems to reach a higher level when learning takes place both at home and at school. Reading skills are developed in the classroom and in some homes. When a child takes the time to read at home, it helps develop their reading fluency. More than anything, I feel that my mom sparked my interest in reading. In turn today, I use read aloud to build fluent readers and expose my students to new vocabulary and knowledge of the world around them.
This brought me to my literacy beliefs today and what I know about it. I am still constantly searching for answers as I struggle with my at-risk readers. I know that I was fortunate as a child to have parents that immersed me in literacy experiences. Unfortunately, many of the students in my classroom have not been as fortunate as I was. Therefore, I know it is my job to expose them to literacy through a well balanced literacy program. My hope is that by using a variety of methods, I will promote individual development and a foundation to meaningful literacy learning within my classroom.
I am not a singer, but my students don't seem to mind my made up tunes to various familiar songs. I did play the piano for about nine years and used to go to yearly piano competitions. Today I use my ability to read music, by playing the hand chimes at my church.
I can perform in front of others, but it does make me nervous. I have noticed as I have gotten older that performing in front of others does not shake me up nearly as much as it used to. I wouldn't consider myself a bookworm because I don't have much time to read, but I do enjoy reading when I get a chance. I also enjoy scrapbooking, excercising, and skiiing. My favorite places to visit are the beach and the lake. These are the places I find I can enjoy a book!
I am looking forward to getting to know each of you and learning more about literacy from this class!
Linda Younts