Dad (Michael) picked up his son (Bradley) from school this week. We had a brief but powerful conversation, one I will long remember:
Dad: “You know, Bradley talks a lot about chapter reading at school. He talks about Charlotte’s Web.”
Me: “I’m glad to hear that, Michael. He loves it, even though he might fall asleep before it’s over.”
Head nodding. Serious thinking.
Me: “It’s really a big thing, Michael, because you have to make the pictures in your head. Children have to think and focus. It’s a huge step in literacy.”
More head nodding and serious thinking. A long pause.
Dad: “I think I should chapter read to Bradley before he goes to bed. Just a chapter each night. Maybe Charlotte’s Web.”
Me: “That would be wonderful, Michael. Bradley would love it. We finished the book but it’s fresh in his brain. And, he didn’t hear the whole thing.”
More head nodding and thinking. Much more.
Dad: “His birthday is next month. He has too much stuff. We’ll get him Charlotte’s Web for his birthday.”
I think I smiled so hard that my cheeks hurt. I reached out to touch Michael’s shoulder. We looked at each other and understood. No words, just smiles.
There are those moments in teaching that are brighter than all the stars and stick with us like glue. They may be fleeting in time, yet they are powerful. This was one of those moments.
I hope E.B. White is looking down and smiling.
“Literature has been the vehicle that connects us. Regardless of age, everyone loves a good story.”
~Pete Springer, author and teacher~
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
oh, this made me cry. so good
Aww… I’m so glad. You know those brief moments. They are ‘everything’. Thank you, Beth.
You’ve changed a boy’s life, Jennie. Wise words from Pete.
That is a powerful thing to say. Thank you, Dan. Yes, Pete’s words are wise.
It’s true, Jennie. Reading is going to be more important to him from this day forward. I still remember the day my father said, “If you can read, you can do anything.”
My goodness, I don’t think you ever told me your father’s words. He was a wise man, and you were a lucky boy. Yes, it is true!
I don’t know about EB White, but I’m smiling. (And a bit teary.)
Smiling and teary is a good thing. Thank you, Barb. When E.B. White wrote “Charlotte’s Web”, he wrote from experience. His story is fascinating. His grand niece lives nearby, and we have met on many occasions. She is the keeper of his his family history. I touched and typed on his typewriter, the same one he typed the words for “Charlotte’s Web”. Can you imagine?
Jennie, this is so touching and endearing. Your experiencing the rewards of your labor and passing it on. You know how I feel about “Charlotte’s Web”…God bless you, Jennie. 💛
Many thanks for your kind words! Yes, I know how you feel about “Charlotte’s Web”. Bless you, K.L.
You’re welcome, Jennie! My kitchen is decorated in “Charlotte’s Web” (including a display of the book, tee hee). I think of you often because of that! Bless you too!
I’m so glad! 😀
Yes, everyone loves a good story – but your focus was on the long-term benefit for the son with the story being the vehicle. Well done, Jennie!
Yes, and yes. Thank you very much, Frank!
Pete and you are on the same wave length. It’s assuring to know you each have inputted much into your students’ lives.
BTW: hubby just finished reading EB White’s Essays…a library book I’d tossed onto the coffee table in the living room (in other words it was out of my library book bag in full view!) He really enjoyed it…
Yes, Pete and I are on the same wave length. It’s what we do best. When he visited my classroom last spring, it was a natural. I need to read E.B. White’s essays! The best book is “Some Writer” by Melissa Sweet. OMG, it takes Andy (E.B.’s nickname) from a kid to…everywhere. It’s not a novel. It’s better. Besides the story, there are photos, clips of his essays, behind the scenes of writing for The New Yorker, and much more. I treasure this book!
I did read that after one of your previous blogs about EB White. And I did enjoy it – and learned from it, too!
I’m so glad!
Love it 💛
Thank you! 🥰
Michael caught on early. I hope he spreads the word!
My mum read to me every night when I was small. She started with Aesop’s Fables, and I have never forgotten them.
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes he did. I hope he spreads the word. At the very least, he has given his son a great gift, the same your mother gave to you. You were lucky, Pete. Very lucky.
You changed 2 lives with that conversation. Father’s and son’s and maybe even if there are more children, they will also be affected by chapter reading by dad. Wow!
I see the same thing, and dearly hope it made a difference. Thank you, Marlene! ❤️
This is wonderful. You made a huge difference to not one but two lives there.
I dearly hope so! Thank you, Deborah.
Loving it and sharing the love! 💞
Thank you, Bette! 💕
A pleasure, Jennie!
🥰
Everyone loves a good story, and everyone loves a great post as well, Jennie!♥
That’s so nice, Bruce. Thank you!
Well done, Jenny
Thank you, John.
😊
Nice one Jennie!
Thank you, FR!
When I was a child, one of my favourite gifts was always a book. And my parents always saw to it that we got at least one.
You were lucky. I wish every parent gave books to their children as gifts.
With a last name like Read it was kind of expected.
Haha!
I am glad that the father had that aha moment with you.
I am, too! Thank you, Elizabeth.
Youre right, those moments are precious. It makes it all so rewarding. Thanks for reminding us why we do this job x
Thank you, Brenda! We teachers need to live for these moments, as the make us better teachers and spur us on to the next ‘moment’.
I absolutely love this, especially when a parent gets it. Well done, Jennie.
Well said, Carla. Thank you!
What a wonderful conversation! You teach parents as well as children–and everybody wins!!
Thank you, Liz. Those are the conversations that mean everything. Yes, everybody wins.
You’re welcome, Jennie.
This made me so happy! You are educating kids and parents. The quote from Pete is perfect!
Thank you, Darlene. Educating parents is as important as educating children. That was what started my writing. Yes, Pete’s quote nailed it!
Awww. Such a quiet little breakthrough.
Yes, indeed. Thank you, Mitch.
Hi Jennie, it is lovely when parents become involved. They don’t always as you know.
You are right on both counts, Robbie!
How sweet, Jennie. Michael’s memory of his dad reading Charlotte’s Web to him will last his whole life.
I think it will, Diana. Thank you!
What a beautiful moment you caught father and son son in your reading web 💜
Thank you, Willow. Those are the ‘moments’ that make teaching wonderful!
Yes indeed they are 💜💜
❤️
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thank you, Michael!
Heartwrenching! Educating adults start with teaching their children. 😉 Well done, Jennie! Have a beautiful week! xx Michael
This is why I teach! Once it dawned on me that educating parents was as important as educating children, I started to write to parents. My newsletters became long, and that’s when I started my blog. 🙂 Best to you, Michael.
Starting and maintaining this blog was wonderful, Jennie! So we all can participate on your profession. Thanks a lot, and enjoy a beautiful week! xx Michael
That’s so nice, Michael. Thank you. 🥰
Jennie, thanks for sharing this lovely moment. Yes, something wonderful to remember. Hugs on the wing.
Thanks, Teagan. These are the moments that speak to why I teach. Hugs!
So beautiful Jennie. ❤
Thank you, Debby. These are the moments…❤️
wonderful to see the fruits of your hard labour 🙂
Thank you!