Why a good book is a secret door

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Sara Murphy – One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: The Sequel

Sara Murphy – One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: The Sequel

I am definitely a reader, but I not, by any means, a story-teller. I do not have a “once upon a time” (because that “time” would be in the not-so-distant-past of 1993) or a “far away land” (because Quincy is only a mere hour and a half away—though there are some magical landscapes along the way) or a “knight in shining armor” (because he can’t stand wearing anything other than Nike basketball shorts).

Despite my lack of a story, I can disclose a few things about myself.

I have an obvious adoration for books (I did choose my career based on this love).

Dance makes my heart happy.

I cannot help but have a smile on my face when I see giraffes…or any other animal. That warm, fuzzy feeling I get around animals fuels my desire to open my own animal shelter.

I have a genuine interest in sex. In the purest of ways. My favorite class thus far in college is Biology of Sex! I hope that during my endeavors as a teacher I get the opportunity to make a change in the sexual education system. Our inability to openly talk about sex, mixed with our highly sexualized culture, creates a huge problem for our country.

I love going on walks and bike rides. They make me feel fresh and alive. And provide me with opportunities to think about things like—the constructed concept of time!

That is who I am.

(Subject to change when deemed necessary).

 

What does it mean to be “a reader?” That is a great walking/biking thought…

I think that to be a reader is to be a consumer (though readers can also be producers and to be a producer you must be a reader and therefore a consumer). To be a reader one must be—a human. Any human. Even a human in cultures that do not interact with written products (though that is a whole paper/idea of its own…maybe I’ll save that for a future walk).

In my own life I am a constant consumer. I read…

Texts.

E-mails.

Twitter. Facebook. Instagram.

The brand being promoted on clothing.

Nutritional facts.

Ted Talks.

Subtitles in movies.

Notes on my prescriptions.

Etc.

Etc.

Etc.

Books. Textbooks. Children’s book. Young Adult books. Classic books. Graphic novels. Books for pleasure. Books for pleasure that really bring me no pleasure at all. Books for school. Books for school that bring me much pleasure…I just might be turning into the next Dr. Seuss…despite my stated lack of story-telling skills.

My ways of reading (outside of school and inside of school) weave in and out of each other. Sometimes they are perpendicular. Sometimes they are parallel. And sometimes they dance circles around each other. Sometimes my joy of reading can be revived in the school setting (like in reading Chris Colfer) and sometimes my disinterest in words kicks in when reading outside of school (like in reading DMV paperwork).

But…as an English Education student, who is interested in literacy studies, I find a way to continually connect the things and the ways I read. I read Young Adult books outside of school because I am interested in what my future students are reading (and because I simply enjoy reading them). And I read articles outside of school that increase my understanding of my required readings for inside school. The cycle continues.

The variation I find in my own ways of reading is discussed in Williams’ piece. Williams discusses the fluidity of what it means to be literate and to be a reader—it is not a finite thing. It is personalized. It has many synonyms. It cannot and should not remain stagnant. As Williams points out, it is necessary to allow students (and for teachers themselves) to recognize the fluidity of the definition of “a reader.” When this recognition occurs, the way students view themselves (and the ways society views them) can evolve and a true state of learning can take plan.

One Reply to “Sara Murphy – One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: The Sequel”

  1. I can see why Kim paired us now. First off, you’re awesome and I love that you’re equally as obsessed with animals. I also think it’s extremely rad that within your career you aspire to change the way sex is viewed within the American culture. Human sexuality is a genuine fascination of mine so I am equally as annoyed with the way so many natural, human biological concepts continue to be viewed as shameful or “taboo.” Your writing style is equally as fabulous as you and you should take pride in it. I look forward to working with you this semester!

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