Literacy History Blog

The Time I Felt My Influence Brought Power and Enlightenment to Literacy

When I was in reading class in first and second grade, I felt out of place because I couldn’t read certain words while others could. This made me really angry at myself because I couldn’t understand why I struggled to read or write some of the words I saw in books, stories, and novels. My teacher would often keep me after class because I had trouble understanding the literacy lessons that were being taught.

To improve, I decided to take action both at home and at school. I would grab a dictionary, find the words I struggled with, and come up with creative ways to remember and pronounce them. One of my first strategies was to write the words on flashcards. After finishing my class assignments, I would test myself to see if I could remember the words by heart.

These experiences taught me the importance of literacy and inspired me to find my own solutions to improve my reading and writing skills. Over time, I developed a more productive and successful way of learning and thinking. By third grade, I started encountering more difficult words and advanced vocabulary, which pushed me to think even harder about how to strengthen my literacy skills.

Eventually, I found another method to expand my vocabulary — by turning my learning into a computer game I had at home. I would input the words I was learning into the game, shuffle them, and turn them into quiz-like flashcards. This made studying more fun and interactive. The game even rewarded me with prizes, which kept me motivated. It allowed me to customize my own words and practice literacy in a creative, engaging way.

This game helped me become a better thinker and gave me skills that stayed with me throughout my education. Although the game was eventually banned in the early 2010s, it remains one of my favorite childhood memories. It played a huge role in developing my vocabulary and literacy, and it taught me how to express myself in ways others could easily understand.

Looking back, these experiences from first through third grade not only helped me become more literate but also gave me a deep sense of pride and nostalgia. That game — even though I can’t remember its name — still holds a special place in my heart as one of the most meaningful parts of my literacy journey.