Early Reading Memories

World Read Aloud Blogging Challenge

Week 1: February 10 - 16
What is your earliest or fondest memory in which someone read aloud to you?

EARLY READING MEMORIES

What a wonderful gift to have a mother who reads to you.

Excerpt from:    The Reading Mother     by Strickland Gillilan

You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be-- I had a Mother who read to me.

My own dear momma tells me often of reading the stories
I begged her for about Mary Poppins.
I am certain that her investment of time and love of literature
has played a part in where I find myself now  -
sharing books with students in the library.
No doubt, it was responsible for my off Broadway debut, 
as I acted out stories for her 
singing and dancing all over the living room
while she labored away at the ironing board. 
(Oh, the days before wash and wear!)

Additionally, I was impressed by the daily read aloud 
of my second grade teacher 
who introduced me to such classics as Winnie the Pooh 

and poetry of such delight as "Eletelelphony" by Laura Elizabeth Richards.


             Yes, I have a rich read aloud heritage that is one I want to share 
                with my students, my children and my grandchildren.


Thank you, Richard Peck, saying it more eloquently than I ever could.

Twenty Minutes a Day
by Richard Peck
Read to your children
Twenty minutes a day;
You have the time,
And so do they.
Read while the laundry is in the machine;
Read while the dinner cooks;
Tuck a child in the crook of your arm
And reach for the library books.
Hide the remote,
Let the computer games cool,
For one day your children will be off to school;
Remedial? Gifted? You have the choice;
Let them hear their first tales
In the sound of your voice.
Read in the morning;
Read over noon;
Read by the light of
Goodnight Moon.
Turn the pages together,
Sitting close as you'll fit,
Till a small voice beside you says,
"Hey, don't quit."