Timeline by

Early reading 2009-2014

jonathancharles04 — 2025-10-05 18:11:36 UTC

Growing up reading clearly and understanding was very important in my family. I remember vividly at the age of maybe 4-5 sitting at the table with my grandma and reading back to her everything she made me write. Along with understanding what I wrote pronunciation was made key while reading and if I didn’t say it right i was forced to repeat it until I said it right. Even as a child children’s book like “Llama llama red pajama”, “The cat in the hat”, and “If you give a ouse a cookie” didn’t really grab my attention as a young reader. Back then I would have thought of myself as an advanced reader. Whenever it was time to head to the library I was always looking for the books with more words and less pictures. At the time it was harder to find books because what child looks for more words than pictures at the ages of 6-8. It wasn’t until the 4th grade when I was allowed to start looking the history section of the library I found book that sparked my interest in reading even more.

2015-2017

jonathancharles04 — 2025-10-05 18:31:42 UTC

When I reached middle school the larger my books and reading interest got. Every trip to the library was like a joy filled escape just for 15-20 mins to find what new adventures I could immerse myself in for the next couple of weeks. Although my reading level in my opinion was “advanced” there was a strong difficulty that I could not overcome and ultimately change the course of my life forever. With each grade I moved forward to the STAAR test was something that I was given to take and hated more than anything. From 3rd to 6th grade I was always told the same thing “you just barely passed the Reading STAAR test ”. Even with the help of summer school I couldn’t pass it which led me to repeating the third grade and causing me a huge disappointment. That reasoning was one of many that causes me to move schools for my 7th grade year. That year my classroom setting as a student went from 20+ kids in a room to 10-12 kids max. It was a huge change for me, it took well over a year for me to adjust to but reading wise my grades and ability improved.

2019-present

jonathancharles04 — 2025-10-05 20:26:46 UTC

By the time I reached high school I had fallen in love with reading all together even the school work I enjoyed doing because I finally understood and could ask for help when needed. Right when things were starting to get good and I was doing better COVID-19 happened. I was forced to go from reading everything on paper to now reading them on a screen which was even harder than adjusting to moving schools. I felt like my reading level fell back way more than it should’ve because of the use of more technology. By the end of senior year my brain was scrambled and anything I saw that wasn’t in video form I ignored. I started to realize that by doing that it wasn’t doing me any good so little by little I started to retrain my brain to read again, to pay attention and comprehend everything i read. Now that I’m in college I try to read just as much as i used to when I was a kid but sometimes I catch myself repeating old patterns, but I am doing way better at maintains my reading level and not letting the use of technology ruin what i have built.

Favorite books

jonathancharles04 — 2025-10-05 20:43:12 UTC

My favorite books around that time were nonfiction books and small novels it wasn’t until i got to high school when I started to enjoy fiction books.

“Advanced” reading

jonathancharles04 — 2025-10-05 21:46:06 UTC

When I say my reading was advanced I meant that in my class I was on of the few students to go choose chapter books while my other classmates were still reading the easier level children’s books.

Reflection

jonathancharles04 — 2025-10-05 22:44:43 UTC

Reading has always been more than just another skill for me but it has shaped how i see the world along with how i understand others and most importantly, how I understand myself especially as a learner. As I’ve grown up I have discovered the kind of books, texts and stories that reflect parts of my identity that not only challenge my thinking but also open my mind and perspective in life. Reading has taught me that patience and persistence, that struggling is not just a weakness but apart of the process. I now see myself as an active, thoughtful learner who engages with readings not just to finish but to understand, question and learn from them. My reading journey has helped me build confidence with the voice in my head and my thinking. Reading continues to shape the way I learn inside and outside of the classroom.