PICK
Growing up with my mom being an elementary school teacher, you would think that I would be a pretty smart student. And I was for sure, except when it came to reading comprehension. I was one of the worst kids in my elementary grade classes. I could read through a book without any problems, but when it came to being able to comprehend and understand the story and its aspects, that is where I had my struggles. I did not mind reading as long as it was something I was interested in.
Starting in third grade, would would have to take our End-of-Grade or EOGs at the end of the school year. I always dreaded the day where we would have to take the reading comprehension test. So in order to prepare us for these test at the end of the year, we would practice throughout the school year with very similar test that counted towards our grades. So at the beginning of the school year, the teacher would assign each of us students a textbook. Inside that book were many different stories. Some of the stories were more interesting than others, but all of the test were difficult to me. It was reading that came easy to me, but being able to understand why the author did some of the things that he did and why some of the characters acted in certain ways was what made it difficult for me.
On my first day of Fifth grade in the reading part of our day, the teacher told us that we would have to read daily and read a certain number of pages each week. I was upset, because I thought that I had passed the days of assigned reading. But then our teacher, Mrs. Phillips told us that we could read any novel of our choice, and I became a little happier. Then we went to the library to check out our first book. The librarian told us where we would be able to find certain genres. I was searching through the books, and one series stuck out at me, the Alex Rider series. I picked up the first book and read the back cover to see what it was about. It was about a young boy, a bit older than me, and he was a British spy. I loved the sound of that, so I decided that I would check this book out and it give it a try. I finished that book faster than any other book that I had ever read. I was also able to comprehend this book and tell other people what it was all about, because I was so interested in it. So, as the school year went along I was able to finish the series and my love for reading had finally been found.
Mrs. Phillips knew that I was not the most passionate person when it came to reading, but she was able to work with me throughout that school year, and she helped me to develop a love for reading. I would, without a doubt recommend, Mrs. Phillips to any student who is going into the fifth grade at CES. She not only cares about teaching, but she cares about her students. She wants her students to achieve at high levels. I wish you the best of luck in your final year at CES and I hope you enjoy Mrs. Phillips as much as I did.
Starting in third grade, would would have to take our End-of-Grade or EOGs at the end of the school year. I always dreaded the day where we would have to take the reading comprehension test. So in order to prepare us for these test at the end of the year, we would practice throughout the school year with very similar test that counted towards our grades. So at the beginning of the school year, the teacher would assign each of us students a textbook. Inside that book were many different stories. Some of the stories were more interesting than others, but all of the test were difficult to me. It was reading that came easy to me, but being able to understand why the author did some of the things that he did and why some of the characters acted in certain ways was what made it difficult for me.
On my first day of Fifth grade in the reading part of our day, the teacher told us that we would have to read daily and read a certain number of pages each week. I was upset, because I thought that I had passed the days of assigned reading. But then our teacher, Mrs. Phillips told us that we could read any novel of our choice, and I became a little happier. Then we went to the library to check out our first book. The librarian told us where we would be able to find certain genres. I was searching through the books, and one series stuck out at me, the Alex Rider series. I picked up the first book and read the back cover to see what it was about. It was about a young boy, a bit older than me, and he was a British spy. I loved the sound of that, so I decided that I would check this book out and it give it a try. I finished that book faster than any other book that I had ever read. I was also able to comprehend this book and tell other people what it was all about, because I was so interested in it. So, as the school year went along I was able to finish the series and my love for reading had finally been found.
Mrs. Phillips knew that I was not the most passionate person when it came to reading, but she was able to work with me throughout that school year, and she helped me to develop a love for reading. I would, without a doubt recommend, Mrs. Phillips to any student who is going into the fifth grade at CES. She not only cares about teaching, but she cares about her students. She wants her students to achieve at high levels. I wish you the best of luck in your final year at CES and I hope you enjoy Mrs. Phillips as much as I did.
-Pierce Westerholt, 5th grader
Revised Feb. 7th, 2017
Revised Feb. 7th, 2017