Category Archives: reading aloud

When a Chapter Book Ends…

Posted on October 20, 2025 by Jennie

I finished reading reading aloud Charlotte’s Web this week, with mixed emotions.  I have a dramatic scene (understatement) I do at the ending of a chapter book.  I get upset and tell my wonderful fellow teacher: “Heidi, I don’t like this.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, Death and dying, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 79 Comments

Mac, Then and Now

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Jennie

If you think reading aloud doesn’t make a difference, think again! Mac then Mac now His parents recently wrote to me: “We commented before bed that Angus is probably ready for chapter books and Mac jumped up for the opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 79 Comments

Charlotte’s Web – The Backstory and My E.B. White Connection

Posted on September 8, 2025 by Jennie

This is a repost from 2018, and tells an important story.  Can you believe I have typed on E.B. White’s Underwood typewriter?  Read on!  You will discover who is really Wilbur and Charlotte.  That’s something I will never forget.  Never. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, Library, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 76 Comments

Making History Come Alive For Children – Part 3

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Jennie

History is an abstract concept for children, so if I can link something tangible – like me – to history, perhaps they can have an understanding. At the end of the school year we read non-fiction chapter books.  Little House on … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, Early Education, Family, Gloria, history, Inspiration, literacy, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

Why Goodnight Moon?

Posted on June 29, 2025 by Jennie

Why do I read aloud GoodNight Moon to my preschoolers every day? Yes, every day, right before chapter reading. It has the words that paint images in the minds of young children.  It has rhyming that sways.  The words feel … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Heart, history, Inspiration, Library, literacy, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

My Library Reading Group, and Kate DiCamillo

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Jennie

I’ve been reading to children at our public library for years.  Lucky me.  One of my first readers is the robot in the photo below. His two siblings (the cowgirl and the cowboy) followed suit.  Here they are with me … Continue reading →

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Library, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 55 Comments

Jim Trelease, His Million-Copy Bestseller Book, and Me.

Posted on March 16, 2025 by Jennie

This is a blog repost of Jim Trelease, the (late) author of the million-copy best seller, The Read-Aloud Handbook.  This week I had a  lovely, heartfelt comment on this long-ago post from Jamie Trelease – Jim’s son.  “Thank you, Jennie, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Early Education, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, literacy, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , | 70 Comments

Charlotte’s Web – Digging Deeper

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Jennie

This is a post from many years ago.  After writing about reading-aloud Charlotte’s Web, I wanted to share much more about this wonderful book – specifically E.B. White and my personal connection. I read aloud every day in my classroom, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 65 Comments

Reading Aloud Charlotte’s Web

Posted on October 5, 2024 by Jennie

I am reading aloud Charlotte’s Web to my preschool class.  It’s the first chapter book I read every year.  Yes, a chapter book, with preschoolers.  Picture books are a given, multiple times throughout the day, but why a chapter book with young … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , | 76 Comments