Reflections on Literacy

When I read, I try to visualize what I am reading. If the text includes different personalities, it is a lot easier to see because it is like developing characters to cast in a movie. When I listen to the words, if they do not make sense, I would read it again until I can make sense of it. If it is something abstract, I would look online for someone else’s interpretation in order to get a better understanding.   It is easier to develop a relationship with characters in a text than with something abstract. Sometimes I imagine myself in the characters' shoes and what I would have done or if I had experienced something similar. I like reading texts that evoke emotion and those that are thought-provoking. Sometimes the thoughts can ignite knowledge and generate feelings. I remember reading this book, ‘Limitless Mind’ by Jo Boaler. There was a story in the book about Henry Fraser who was paralyzed from the neck down after a diving accident. Today he paints with his mouth. What he sa...

How does your current book travel around with you? What exact part of your backpack, pocket, purse, or whatever is involved? I mostly read textbooks and articles now for school. I do read the Bible in the morning after breakfast. I have it as an app on my iPad. My iPad usually stays at home because I need quiet time to read the Bible. What are the regular sections of your day? What little reading appointments might be possible in there? Most of my day is spent doing assignments for three school courses and cooking or doing other chores. Since most of my assignments involve reading, I try not to read when I get a break. One possible reading space would be when I am eating. What are some possible places for reading? How might different places go with different types of reading? Like what could you read on the bus, in bed, at the kitchen table, in school? What are the challenges about each of those places, and how do you deal with those challenges? One possible place for reading...

“Beep! Beep! Beep!” The alarm goes off. I have two alarms set so that I would have to get up and walk to turn one off. The other alarm is next to me, but do not ask me to explain that logic. I get up but it’s 2 am and my bed is beckoning me to come back. My neck and upper back ache so I procrastinate and go back to my warm bed, thinking just forty more minutes sleep. I already had six hours sleep. I used to get by on five hours when I was studying and even less when I was working. I go back to sleep, but forty minutes goes by fast. Again, I hear “beep! beep! beep!” So, I press the snooze bar and sleep some more. What’s wrong with me? I was more disciplined the last time! I wake up at 3:10 am. My neck and upper back still ache; I procrastinate a little; maybe a few more minutes rest would help with the pain; I am probably just hungry; then I tell myself, “The earlier I start, the more I can get done!” and so, I get up. Texas is experiencing a winter freeze. I remind myself of all ...