I must admit openly that I am a blog virgin. I have always been taught that a person should be very careful when it comes to writing down and sharing personal thoughts and feelings. My mother always felt that writings of the heart and mind should be private and not to be shared with those that are not close to you. So, I am hesistant in giving up my blogger virginity of thoughts and feelings to the world. Please be patient with me as I slowly begin this new journey into blogger space.

The article that I have chosen to relinquish my private thoughts is The Reader, The Scribe, The Thinker: A Critical Look at the History of American Reading and Writing Instruction by E. Jennifer Monaghan and E. Wendy Saul. As I begin to read this article I begin to think about my writing and reading history. I remember Dick and Jane books as well as Highlights magazines that my parents would subscribed to help us read. The weekly trips to the library and the stack of books my brothers and sisters brought home created an ambiance of revolving knowledge as
we read to each other or shared each others' books. Also, I remember that I did not receive a lot of writing instruction in high school. I do not remember any of my teachers actually focusing on writing. However, the majority of my teachers were readers of the classics. Unfortunately, I missed out on enhancing my writing skills. I believe this is base on my vocational choice rather than a college track curriculum.


For some reason or another, I begin to connect this article with the book Ways with Words by Shirely Brice Heath as she explained the historical background of language utilized in Roadville and Trackton residents.

The significance of Monghan and Saul article help me to have a better understanding of the historical background of reading and writing. It provided explanations as to why writing is not as important or is second to reading. However, I do believe that reading and writing should be taught together as stated in Reading and Writing Connections by Carol Olson Booth. I have seen many teachers used SSR as a way for students to take naps rather than engage in reading a book.

When I first read this quote, "For reading is nothing but speaking what one sees in a book, as if he were expressing his own sentiments, as they rise in his mind . . . And hence it is, that no one can read properly what he does not understand." p. 88 The question that formulated in my mind: Is this a way to identify student comprehension? Because, I have many students that are capable of reading the words, but they lack the understanding of how to interpret what they have read.

Also, my favorite quote, "writing is the servant of many masters." p. 91 As I begin to learn more about literacy my thought process of writing has changed. Because teachers are focus more on the test, I truly believe that the love of engaging in reading and writing has changed for so many students as well as teachers. The enjoyment of exploring different literary worlds and bringing characters to the classroom by reading their words aloud, so students can not only hear the words, but be able to feel the character's emotions. The empowerment of students rest on the ability to connect reading and writing in the classroom.