Learning to read and write began early. In preschool we learned our "ABC's," so I was already ahead when I entered kindergartenen. In kindergarten we began to learn to read and write. Once we learned how to write we learned words, and that grew into phrases, which then grew into sentences. After we got that over with, we added on more and more until we could read very thin, or small, books.
In first grade, since we then knew how to read, we began to go to kindergarten classes on certain days and read books to the kindergartners. I remember how much I loved that! I absolutely enjoyed it! It was a new experience that was so much fun.
In the beginning, I never really liked to read. I would never read on my own time for fun. It was mainly because of AR, or Accelerated Reader. From elementary school all the way through middle school they made you read books and take ten question tests over the books. It was not any fun, and eventually led to a build up of hate towards reading. I tried to find books I would enjoy, and did at times. It was just the fact that you were stressed to pay attention to every single detail so you would do good on the quiz over it.
When I was finally done with AR in seventh grade, we all rejoiced! So, when I entered the eighth grade, it seemed weird not having to take those stupid tests. Instead, all we had to do was read on our own during homeroom. Trust me, this was MUCH better. We were not under any stress, so I began to enjoy reading... on my own.
Eighth grade was the grade I discovered Nicholas Sparks' books. Nicholas Sparks writes romance novels. These were, and still are, my favorite of all the books I have read. This was the initial point when I began to read on my own a ton. After finding these books, I actually enjoyed reading on my own time. It was fun to get absorbed into the unraveling love stories.
By ninth grade, I always had a Nicholas Sparks book tucked under my arm as I walked down the halls to my next class. Sometimes I even had the book open while I read and dodged the kids running to class at the same time. My best friend and I were, and are still, trying to read all of his books. By reading his books my vocabulary increased alot, and I learned to read at a faster pace.
In Pre-AP English 9 we read several books. Some I enjoyed, others I did not care for that much. But, after reading so much that year, I was very interested in reading more. This past summer was the first one that I read books without my mom making me simply because I loved it so much. Yes, they were mostly Nicholas Sparks, but those books did keep my grammar and vocabulary in check. Therefore, I learned. And who would have thought?
I learned to enjoy reading once I found something I liked. This year I come home and sometimes I will sit down to read... a book that I am not required to read for school. It's relaxing and I feel good because I'm not stressed because I don't absolutely hate it now!
