Welcome back to another literacy guest spotlight Q & A. During this monthly feature, we get to explore literacy viewpoints from around the world. Today, I’m happy to share an interview with Becky from This Reading Mama blog.
Becky, tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve been married for 13 years and LOVE my amazing hubby. We have four children, ages 1 through 7.5 that I homeschool. I volunteer at my local church in the children’s ministry with leading music and Bible teaching for grades 2-5 each Sunday morning. I love writing and have loved it as far back as I can remember.
My undergrad is in music and after working at a Christian school, I decided to go back and get my elementary teaching license. I began teaching in public school and fell in love with teaching, especially the teaching of literacy. I decided to keep going with school and got my M.Ed. in Reading. I would LOVE to one day go back and get my doctorate, but with 4 young kiddos at home right now; that is a dream that has been postponed until its season. Blogging is my way of giving those creative juices an audience. J
You have a great blog called This Reading Mama. What will readers find when they visit?
Although I am a homeschooling mom, readers can find resources for their young readers; whether they homeschool, teach in the classroom, or are a classroom teacher. I like to post activities related to literacy and LOADS of free printables. I love to share freely with others.
I really like your literacy favorites series. What has been one of your favorite posts?
One of my favorite posts has got to be my Sight Word post. It’s all about why sight words don’t stick and keeping with developmentally appropriate practices when we teach reading.
You have a background in music and reading. They fit really well with each other. How do you incorporate literacy through music in your house?
We do A LOT of singing. We read books related to those songs. We make up silly rhyming songs. I like to also write those songs down on chart paper and we’ll follow along with the words or find letters and punctuation.
Do you have any literacy rituals in your family?
D.E.A.R. {Drop Everything And Read}. This is how we begin our school day. Everyone {including mom} reads. It lasts for about 20-30 minutes and at this point, much of that time is me reading aloud. My oldest son, who is in the 1st grade, will also read out loud to his younger siblings. It’s important for our children to see that reading is important.
We also incorporate literacy throughout our day, pointing out letters in Target’s sign, making a grocery list, or creating silly literacy games as we play outside or ride in the car.
What’s the best advice you’ve received about reading with children?
That literacy is a developmental thing. Just because Suzy is in the 4th grade doesn’t always mean she is on a 4th grade level. We need to teach the child “where she is at” {in her ZPD} to help her be the best reader she can be.
Getting To Know You A Little Bit More…
If you could have brunch with three characters from children’s literature, who would you invite?
Anne of Green Gables & Ramona Quimby- both childhood favorites. I think there would be enough drama between the two of them, so why invite another? 😉
Hardcover or e-book?
Hardcover for sure. I like to write in my books too much.
What is a fond childhood memory you have?
I was in the lowest reading level in the 2nd grade. I thought I was dumb. I vividly remember my teacher pulling me aside one-on-one and reading a book with me. The main character’s name was Becky {my name} and it meant so much that I read that book over and over. From then on, I knew my teacher believed in me, so I began to believe in myself a bit more. I still struggled as a reader, but that teacher made such an impact in my life as a young reader.
Where is your favorite place to read a book?
In my bed.
What book is on your nightstand or e-reader now?
I’m definitely a nonfiction gal, so I have Dyslexia 101 going right now. On my bedside, I have a parenting book I’m re-reading.
Becky, thank you so much for sharing your ideas on literacy with the Growing Book by Book readers.
Join us next month when we chat with an author!