My sisters have probably played the biggest role in my literacy background. I am one of four girls, one older sister and two younger sisters. I can remember from a young age my older sister coming home from school and reading to me. She would bring home books from school and we would sit on the couch while she read. I was so excited to start school so I too could learn to read. Once I started school and began to read, I would come home and read to my little sisters. It was a pattern that continued for years. The best part about reading the books and having them read to you was the discussion that followed. My sisters helped to show me the importance of collaborating through text. This experience has made me want to include groups discussions, collaborating, and even small talk into my literacy classroom.

School
My literacy experience throughout school is nothing exciting. In my classes we didn't participate in classroom discussions, literacy circles, or daily five. I remember that most of my literacy blocks were full of silent reading. I can honestly say that  as I progressed through school my love of reading declined. I was no longer aloud to chose books that interested me. I had to chose  books within my "lexile" range. I read at a higher range so often times the books I wanted to read I wasn't able to read. My school experience has influenced me to be considerate of student choice and interest in the classroom. In my future classroom I plan to incorporate student interests and choice as best as I can.

Nephew
My nephew is the newest addition on what has influenced literacy in my life. Two years ago I got the pleasure of becoming an aunt, and I never knew the impact that it would have on my life. Shortly after my nephew was born I began reading baby books to him. I didn't do this with the hopes that it would make him smarter or he would learn to read faster then other children. I read to him because it calmed him down, at first. Now that my nephew is two he still loves to listen to you read to him. I love to read to him. I never thought I would be the aunt that buys their nephews books for holidays/birthdays, but I am. Kanaan has influenced me to have a love for literacy again. I can see the effects that reading to him has. He has developed a love for books at the age of two. This just goes to show that children can be influenced at any age and time. It's important as teachers that we have a positive influence on a child's literacy.