"Meaning is constructed in that realm where readers meet the words in the text and consider the ideas in terms of their own experience and knowledge. The author's creation stems as much from what readers bring to the text as from the author's own preconceived notions. More than anything, authors intend to capture readers and hold their attention throughout the book and beyond." ...pg. 2
Donald Graves writes, "When I was in elementary school I might have been categorized as a "dreamer reader." I remember reading T Model Tommy, by Stephan W. Meader, when I was in sixth grade. As I recall, the book was about a young enterprising boy who parlayed owning a small truck into a growing business enterprise. I immediately wanted to live the life of Tommy and start my own business. I read along, living through the characters, and would soon be lost in a reverie that had little to do with the text at hand." For most of his life, he categorized himself as a "defective reader". He lacked precision in answering precise questions about the text. ....Forward
Take a moment and think about your childhood experiences with reading.
Then choose one of the questions below and respond.
1.) How did you feel about reading as a child?
2.) Do you remember the one book that you absolutely loved reading and you did not want to put it down? What made you enjoy it so much?
3.) Do you remember the one book that you had a very difficult time reading? Now that you teach reading to elementary students, why do you think it was so difficult for you?
