National Adult Literacy Database

June 14, 2010

This week, our story comes to us from Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador. The author, Agnes Snook, is enrolled in literacy and math tutoring with Newfoundland and Labrador Laubach Literacy Council (NLLLC). Agnes took part in a Family Writing Contest with NLLLC, where families were invited to participate in a family story writing contest using a literacy theme. Her submitted story is included below.

Why I became interested in the Laubach Literacy

by Agnes Snook

Agnes Snooks, left, sits with her sister Sarah Lee, the Newfoundland and Labrador Laubach Literacy Council's Learner of the Year, at the Council's award banquet Saturday. - The Western Star photo by Cliff Wells

It was years ago that I quit school. I only had grade 7. I had to quit school because my mom was sick. I had to do the housework, get water and wood. I felt very sad; hurt because I had to quit because I would like to get all of my grades. My mom only had grade 3. My brothers and sisters only had low grades. I found it hard in math, reading, spelling and history. So I was encouraged by my sister Sarah to take up tutoring. She encouraged me all the way. I felt happy she did. I am learning math, reading and crossword puzzles. I am doing good. I learned about the heart, brain, time and about dying. I started on February 27, 2009. My tutor is Patricia Woodrow. I have finished two books already. I am starting Challenger 5.

I enjoy it very much. I also would like to learn computers. I would like to teach someone else one day. I would like to graduate some day. My sons only had grade 7 or 8. Except for my daughter, she got her grade 12. I learned also about Babe Ruth, who was a baseball player. Also, I learned about Diamond Jim Brady, who at too much. He was born in 1856. He died in Atlantic City in 1917. The name of the story was The Hungry Eater. I learned about the ship of the desert which is a camel. I learned about the lungs, artery, and the small and large intestine. Also, I learned about the vein. Also (I learned) about digestion. Also, I learned where the camel stores the fat. It is in the hump on the camel’s back. Diamond Jim Brady went to the doctor and the doctor told him he had to cut down on his eating, if he wanted to live. Also, about the salesman who collected jewellery. He was known as the jewellery collector. I enjoy going to this program and am hoping to be continuing this program in the future.

[This story was taken with permission, from the Newfoundland and Labrador Laubach Literacy Council (NLLLC) website, under News.]