read: (a) to receive or take in the sense of (as letters or symbols) by scanning (b) to utter aloud the printed or written words

Each week as I volunteer in my daughter�s first-grade class, I am reminded of how much I take the ability to read for granted. As I rush about my day, glancing at signs, magazines and mail, these young children are still just learning the sounds and rhythmic pattern that make words. We have all been where they are and know the perseverance that it takes to accomplish the goal of learning how to read.

What ideas can you use to document reading activities in your scrapbooks? Your children may already be beyond the first-grade comprehension level, but that shouldn't stop you from recording some literary memories along the way. There are plenty of opportunities. Here are some suggestions that you can use to get started.

Education related: learning to read; reading, writing and arithmetic; history of country/family; a favorite reading teacher; reading awards; the young reader; reading groups; music lessons (or any lessons where reading is involved)

Hobby related: favorite book/author, special book collections, learning another language, reading the lines of a play, book signings, favorite bookstores, games, crafts (like knitting where you have to read the pattern)

Relaxation related: your reading chair/spot, a reading garden, letters/cards, imagination and inspiration, how you read (my daughter likes to hold the book propped open with her feet)

Information related: a new library/bookstore opening, the daily news, map reading, magazines/articles, driver�s license handbook

Tradition related: holiday stories, recipes, books kept in certain areas (like what is kept beside your bed, in your car, etc.), faith/values

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