# data[].attributes.body
Thank you for you post! I think it's awesome that your mom took you to the library every weekend! That not only is a great childhood memory to have, but also a great way to promote reading when you were a young girl. It seems like your mother's background and profession made it easy for her to  make sure that reading and writing were a big part of your life, but I can see how writing book reports over the summer was probably not your most fond memory. I also am not the biggest fan of opening a book a reading, but I do enjoy reading articles and posts on social media. Even though social media gets a bad rep it is a great source for current events.

# data[].attributes.body
Kellie! Thanks for sharing your language and literacy autobiography, I truly enjoyed  reading it. I can absolutely relate to not having time to read when we were younger, I danced competitively, so I had classes and rehearsals five days a week. It's hard to enjoy something you aren't passionate about, especially when it comes to literature.

# data[].attributes.headline
Angelica Yanez replying to Elizabeth Galvan

# data[].attributes.subject
Angelica Yanez replying to Elizabeth Galvan

# data[].attributes.body
Your story about your life growing up was really awesome to read. I think its great that your parents spent so much time with you when you were younger. One thing I really loved was how when your mom would bathe you she would name all your different body parts. That is such a simple way to communicate with your children. I wish you had a better experience in school after moving to Arizona. However, the awesome thing is that after you graduate and get your first teaching job you will be amazing for knowing how hard it can be if English is their second language. or even if they are just shy. I hope the rest of college helps you feel better about talking in front of others!

# data[].attributes.body
After reading your autobiography, I can totally relate to you when you talked about not enjoying reading books. I also love to hear stories and watch the movies but when it comes to reading, it's very hard to pay attention and finish the book. I also can relate to you when you talked about going to the library with your family. My mother would do the same for me and my family. I'm glad your mother pushed you to read as a child because now you are going to school to teach other children how to read and grow!

# data[].attributes.body
It’s great that you have such fond memories of your childhood and the experiences you had. I think it’s awesome that your stepfather wrote children’s books designed around you and that you’re carrying that tradition on with your child! I can definitely relate to having less time for leisurely reading now (and I don’t even have two jobs) but like you I try and squeeze it in whenever I can.
-Rebecca Sherod

# data[].attributes.body
I really liked how you made a comic, it was creative and you are an amazing artist! Like you, reading was also something that connected my family. I enjoyed reading as a kid, but now I also feel like the only reading I do is from textbooks. Overall, I loved your autobiography!
Jenn Johnson

# data[].attributes.body
Hello Niyiman,

I would like to start off  by mentioning how talented you are as a writer. I was intrigued by how you openly shared the challenges that arose as you began learning a completely different language. Learning a new language has its ups and downs but you have proved that anything is possible. Thank you for sharing.

# data[].attributes.body
I love the fact that you are reading with your children during bedtime. When I was a child that was something that I looked forward too every night. Your kids will cherish these memories, not only does it create an environment for learning but a loving bond. I agree with you that eating together as a family helps build communication with each other. Those two aspects of bedtimes stories and eating together I want to install into my family unit one day.

# data[].attributes.headline
Madison Maietta replying to Acajia Hunter

# data[].attributes.subject
Madison Maietta replying to Acajia Hunter

# data[].attributes.body
I can relate greatly to your reading and writing experiences.  Apart from using both of these forms of communication on a daily basis, I as well use to work with younger children in preschool where story time was a huge part of their day to relax and listen to the teacher.  Often times I was in charge of selecting a book that related back to what they learned earlier in that day and helping them to make those connections. In addition, I can also relate to the bonding my mother and I had when she helped me with my homework every night, similar to your situation.  At a young age, most of my homework involved much reading and writing because these are such crucial elements that need to be instilled in a child so they can learn to master them as they progress throughout the educational system.

# data[].attributes.headline
Kylie Hodgson replying to Natalee Huguez

# data[].attributes.subject
Kylie Hodgson replying to Natalee Huguez

# data[].attributes.body
I loved reading your post. I connected with it on so many levels because I also do not have a love for Language Arts and would rather participate in math and science. Also, I took Spanish throughout my middle school and high school years too! My boyfriend's entire family speaks Spanish and isn't proficient in English so I definitely get the discouraging comments as well and how unmotivating that can be!

# data[].attributes.body
I loved reading your post Acajia! I also think that I am pretty funny because my family (mostly my dad and my brothers) think they are hilarious. I come from a family of 8 kids so there was definitely no quiet time in the home! Especially at dinner. You talked about how you would eat dinner as a family and that would be your time to socialize and catch up. That was the same with me! Every night my family gathers for dinner and we report on how our days went, how school was, how work was, etc. There is never a moment when we aren't talking!

# data[].attributes.headline
Kiyana Hosea replying to Jessica Rawlings

# data[].attributes.subject
Kiyana Hosea replying to Jessica Rawlings

# data[].attributes.body
You and I think in very similar ways. I really enjoyed how you mentioned that although you are an avid reader and writer, being forced to read and write takes away all of the amusement from it. I am exactly the same way. It is almost as though reading and writing is a creative and interesting task until somebody asks you to do it. Being told to do something makes it boring and dull, but choosing to engage in a book or to write a story means that there are no limits to your creativity and that you can do anything you wish.

# data[].attributes.body
That is so awesome that reading had such a positive impact on your childhood! I was never really a big fan of reading (and neither were my older brothers), so I wonder if maybe they had enjoyed it more, if that would have influenced me to read more as well. I completely understand what you mean about college textbook reading making reading in general less desirable!!
Thanks for sharing!
Natalee Huguez

# data[].attributes.headline
Acajia Hunter Replying to Natalee Huguez

# data[].attributes.subject
Acajia Hunter Replying to Natalee Huguez

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you for sharing your language and literacy autobiography. I like your story about learning Spanish and your family. I feel a lot people can relate to some sort of embarrassment for how they talk whether its with family or school. My mom also made sure I had my homework done before going to bed. Talking with my mom was also a huge part of my early language and literacy. I think you will find a way to encourage your future students to enjoy writing and reading

# data[].attributes.body
The idea that your love for reading originated from reading with your mom resinated with me because my love for writing originated from the stories that my mom would tell me and the constant support she gave me when I decided that I wanted to write my own stories. Also, I think it is great that your family encouraged your language development by having real conversations with you. Your love for asking questions shows that you were inquisitive and wanted to learn. I love that your parents wanted to fuel your love for learning.

# data[].attributes.body
I also had to do Accelerated Reader in middle school but it was the opposite effect on me. I've never been much of a reader and never really showed interest in it so when I was forced to read for a grade it just made me dislike it even more. I do wish that I liked reading more than I do though. I think it's awesome that you still love reading!

# data[].attributes.body
I completely know what you feel about language barriers with your grandparents. Both sets of my grandparents primarily spoke spanish in my parents household and never really spoke English. My grandmother on my moms side spoke English but sadly got dementia when i was around 3 so she completely forgot that she knew English. My mom would be my translator to my grandma and grandpa but they tried their best to speak English with my whole family and since I didn't learn spanish i found it quite hard because there was that barrier even though my mom could have easily translate to them/me. I hate having to read as an assignment because personally i don't feel like i am learning from just reading the text, I get in a zoned state of mind where im reading but do i remember what i read? probably not... I think because language and literacy was given to us mainly as homework a lot of people in our generation really don't like to read or write because that's how we were taught. But i don't think i would have remembered some topics in school if i didn't have to read about it and then later write about it.

# data[].attributes.body
Hi, Elizabeth. After reading your Language and Literacy autobiography, I felt like reading mine because I am an English learner as well. I have the same experience as you. I was growing up in China, and I moved here when I was 18 years old. At age of 18 years old, learning a totally different language is a nightmare for me. Suddenly, I lost my confident of myself, I started to avoid speaking in front of everyone, so I totally understanding how you feel when you first moved here.

# data[].attributes.headline
Ashley Myers. Replying to Monica Hughes.

# data[].attributes.subject
Ashley Myers. Replying to Monica Hughes.

# data[].attributes.body
First off, I loved your story. I believe teachers sometimes "forget" to encourage and to help ELL students. I have seen where ELL students are expected to know the material when honestly they have not been taught the material. So seeing your story about 3rd grade is so rewarding to know you got the help that you needed. Congrats to your teacher! It is amazing the impact that educators can have on students. Also kudos to you for teaching your daughter both Spanish and English, she will appreciate that when she is older. Thank you for sharing your story!

# data[].attributes.headline
Monica Hughes Replying to Gabriela Rocha

# data[].attributes.subject
Monica Hughes Replying to Gabriela Rocha

# data[].attributes.body
This is so cool! I love how you incorporated your talent into this assignment. It is very creative! Anyways, I was the same way growing up, I loved to read books all the time. It was always so hard to put them down. It is still one of my favorite things to do whenever i have time to read. I agree that now all it seems like I read are textbooks, half the time I don't know what it is that I am reading! But it will all benefit us for our future career as teachers! :)

# data[].attributes.body
It looks like you had an amazing childhood with many opportunities to use your imagination and develop your language and literacy. I love that your family incorporated music and help set up stages to act out your favorite stories. That is a wonderful way to express creativity and be engaged in the stories. On the contrary, no one in my family read books, and I actually hated reading. I decided to pick up a fiction book one day at the school library and I fell in love. After that, I read almost every day and even got my mom back into reading.

# data[].attributes.headline
Cassidy Sammons replying to Kylee Nolan:

# data[].attributes.subject
Cassidy Sammons replying to Kylee Nolan:

# data[].attributes.body
Both the experiences you shared are great ways for a family to help a child with language and literacy. I love reading and singing when I work with kids because it is a fun way to teach and they are always very engaged. The details you remember about your mom telling you stories such as Little Red Riding Hood being your favorite, is proof that the routine your mom had with you had an effect on you. Another great aspect about what you shared is that it was also a bonding experience for you and your family while you were learning.

# data[].attributes.headline
Reply to Mariah Mayes from Kellie Lindsey

# data[].attributes.subject
Reply to Mariah Mayes from Kellie Lindsey

# data[].attributes.body
I love how you have been able to love reading and writing throughout your life so far. I think that is really amazing because I feel like it is not always something that most people can relate too. I know I can't because growing up I did not like reading at all but now that I am older I love to spend some my free time reading. I think it is so sweet how your father still writes to you on your birthdays! I think one of the main reasons I love to spend time alone reading is to escape like you said you do reading and writing to escape also.

# data[].attributes.body
Page 3

# data[].attributes.body
Page 2

# data[].attributes.body
Page 1

# data[].attributes.body
Impact of Language- Corri Govett

# data[].attributes.body
I like how your family is very diverse. You have one parent who loves to read, and a father who can't. These kinds of examples are what helps us, as future teachers need to be able to look and see what we need to do in order to help keep kids actively engaged and wanting to come to school. I wonder if your dad had a more active teacher or someone to help him realize how important schooling is, if he would of stayed in school.

# data[].attributes.headline
Michaela Arteaga Replying to Laura Gonzalez!

# data[].attributes.subject
Michaela Arteaga Replying to Laura Gonzalez!

# data[].attributes.body
I am sorry those kids were mean to you, kids can be so cruel! I myself am half Mexican but do not look the part, so my cousin Eric would chase me and call me Casper!  I would also get teased in school for having thick hair on my arms.  So know you are not alone on the playground!  I wish that my parents taught me Spanish (my mom picked it up after 18 years of marriage) but I might not of shown interest. I want to learn now and agree it is a great skill to have. I encounter families and children that speak more Spanish than English when I facilitate Play Groups, I wish I could make it easier on the kids/families. At least to show the children I understand and help fix the language gap between teacher and student.
I am impressed/jealous you can read a Stephanie Meyer's book in one day.  Please teach me how to read like that!

# data[].attributes.body
I love how you and your family would do so many activities together and then be able to come home and make dinners and continue on your day and night together. This reminds me so much of my family growing up. We would make big dinners all the time together and it was just non stop conversations. We were all so busy with activities so we always had things to talk about to each other. I feel like you got incredibly lucky to have had that experience with your grandfather before his passing, listening and learning the different language that he had spoken had to of benefited you so much. I wish i had a family member growing up that spoke another language. Listening to other languages people speak helps grows your language literacy.

# data[].attributes.headline
Reply to: Kylie Hodgson; From: Mariah Mayes

# data[].attributes.subject
Reply to: Kylie Hodgson; From: Mariah Mayes

# data[].attributes.body
Kylie, I really enjoyed hearing your different perspective on reading! I think it's okay not to love reading, it's definitely something that's different for every person, and no one should be forced into enjoying something that they aren't interested in.

I'm surprised you remember so much about how reading and writing played into your elementary school years! Maybe I just have a bad memory, but I only remember a few book reports or things like that from when I was younger. I liked hearing about that, and I'm glad to hear that those years had an impact on you, even if you didn't necessarily grow up to love reading.

# data[].attributes.headline
Replied to Amanda Neiner from Elizabeth Galvan 

# data[].attributes.subject
Replied to Amanda Neiner from Elizabeth Galvan 

# data[].attributes.body
I really like reading to my children and now I know how beneficial it is to them. I also like how your mom help you by taking you to the library and choosing the books that you like. I practice reading to my children every night and I let my 7 year old son read to me at times and that way not only is he practicing listening but he is also practicing reading.

# data[].attributes.headline
Replied to Maietta Madison from Elizabeth Galvan

# data[].attributes.subject
Replied to Maietta Madison from Elizabeth Galvan

# data[].attributes.body
I really liked how you and your family used cooking as a way to communicate and have fun with each other. family dinner planing is great and is a great time to be together and talk about the experiences that happen during the day. I also struggle with reading and since English is my second language I still practice reading a loud and doing so helps me listen to the words I am not reading correctly and it also helps me by practicing feeling more comfortable with reading aloud.

# data[].attributes.body
I agree that we don't really notice how much we read and write in a day. I agree that I love to read because I fall in love with the characters. I like how you talked about writing short stories that pop up in your head. I actually did that once and I posted it on an app on my phone for people to see. I also like writing letters to my friends and family. I think it's so cool that you got to write plays. I think it would be interesting to see how the process goes of writing a play.

# data[].attributes.body
I love hearing how you went from hating to read as a child to now loving to read as an adult! I agree with you about how you feel when you read a good book. When I read a good book I also feel like the book is a good movie unfolding in my head! It's also a nice escape from reality for me. Congratulations on one of your poems getting into the school magazine! That's awesome! Creative writing is a great way to get kids to love writing in their own way and style. I love how you have a journal that you get to write down your own personal things in like your feelings and such. Such a great idea and I think you should always continue to keep journals and write down anything and everything you want!

# data[].attributes.body
I love how you mentioned reading The Book of Mormon with your family. This is something that my family did as well. Since this book has many unfamiliar words and can be very confusing at times this left so much room for knowledge and created a huge bond for my family and I. It turned out to be a very helpful for reading and literacy in my family as well. When we were done we would all take a moment to right down what we had learned and what our favorite part from the reading was.