LITERACY NARRATIVE By Nekiesha Lynch WHAT IS LITERACY

LITERACY NARRATIVE By: Nekiesha Lynch

WHAT IS LITERACY NARRATIV A literacy narrative is a first-hand narrative about reading or composing (or teaching reading and composing) in any form or context. Literacy narratives can be short or long, two minutes or twenty-five.

ADVANTAGES Knowledge Stress reduction Having a good memory Large vocabulary Better writing skills

DISADVANTAGES Slows down brain functions Poor vocabulary Bad memory Frustration Increases stress

MY EXPERIENCE

My journey began at an early age. My parents were my teachers.

I remember the tiny books filled with stories and little activities I enjoyed where my mom would have me make sounds or sound out certain words. I can remember learning to spell that way, having her repeat words over and over again. Soon after when she realized I was a quick learner that was too young for school, my dad decided to start buying flashcards. I enjoyed the flash cards because they required tracing letters but all I did was scribble on it. Although I struggled, I never gave up. I wanted to learn how to do it on my own.

Soon after, I started school at the age of four years old. I started with my cousin.

As we got older and moved up in our classes, the work got harder and I got lazy. I got frustrated but I never wanted to give up. I always wanted to be in the same class as her so as long as I kept my grades up I would be in the same grade as her. The feeling of not being able to read quickly or pick up on things as fast as my cousin, caused me to hate the idea of reading and writing. The idea of going to the classes irritated me. But since failing wasn't an option, I always scrambled just enough information on the paper to get a good grade and leave.

My hatred started to get out of control and I turned to my first teacher for help. That was my mom. I asked her for a lot of help and she had me look at it from a different point of view.

She once again taught me how to love to read and write. Especially write. She thought me how to love and understand the formulating of my thoughts. Every thought I had, she had me write down.

To this day I often find myself writing down anything that comes to mind. Recently I found myself changing my writing style again, I typically write appropriate or interesting. Now that I've entered college I write in the passive voice. My writing definitely progressed from high school to now. I have learned that I understand reading and writing but struggle to communicate and bring my point across which I need to work on. I good that with practice, my writing improves.

“ write to be understood, speak to be heard, and read to grow”- Lawrence Clark

The end