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 children? Because the number of words a child hears and knows is the #1 predictor of academic success in school. Also, when there are no pictures to follow, a child has to work harder to focus on the words. They have to think, make a connection with the words they hear. Therefore, comprehension is stimulated. I tell children,
“When you listen the words, they go into your ears and then into your brain. Then, you make the pictures in your head.”
Children understand this, open their ears and young minds, and let the words do their magic. The bonus? Words that are beautifully written travel to your heart as well as your head. E.B. White knew how to write those words. Here is what he wrote after Charlotte built her egg sac and laid her 514 eggs; these are Charlotte’s words to Wilbur:
“When the first light comes into the sky and the sparrows stir and the cows rattle their chains, when the rooster crows and the stars fade, when early cars whisper along the highway, you look up here and I’ll show you some-thing. I will show you my masterpiece.”
To this day, when I hear cars on the highway in the early morning, I’m immediately transported to the book. It’s a wonderful feeling. I will never tire of reading aloud Charlotte’s Web. I will always champion for good books and for reading to children.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
This will always be one of my favorite books♥️♥️
I’m so glad!
The children in your classroom have begun a magical journey, Jennie.
Thank you, Dan. Gloria joined the class this week, too. ❤️
Little do the children know, but they will recall this story for many years to come!
Yesterday a former student who is now 15 returned to visit and collect her 4-year-old art work (stay tuned for that story), and she recalled Charlotte’s Web. 🥰
I knew it!!
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I love that you do this with your new batch of littles each year, opening their hearts and minds –
Thank you, Beth. I think I love it as much as they do.
I have absolutely no doubt
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It is so beautiful. I can just see the smiles of the kids when you are reading to them, Jennie
Thank you, Don. I often stop and re-read aloud paragraphs like the one I posted. Yes, many smiles.
Oh, that’s so good!! I had her soft, calming voice in my head as I read it. 😊
I have the same voice in my head when I read it to children. 😀
This post brought a big smile to my face. Ah, the miracle of books.
Aww… I’m so glad! Yes, the miracle of books. E.B. White’s grandniece lives close by, and she is the keeper of most of his treasures. I had the pleasure of typing on his typewriter, which was a very big deal for me. I learned much about him (her Uncle Andy), stories I will always treasure.
Typing on E.B. White’s typewriter must have been such a thrill!
Very much so! 😀 I learned much from his grandniece.
BTW, remembering the typewriter brought back a wonderful post from many years ago. Stay tuned!
Same time, same station!
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Hi Jennie, a wonderful book to read. I read The Wishing chair to Michael many, many times.
Hi Robbie. As you say, it is a wonderful book. I’m so glad it brought back memories of reading The Wishing Chair to Michael.
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A lovely excerpt of Charlotte’s web, Jennie. A great book to read aloud to the children.
Thank you, John. There are three or four paragraphs that always bowl me over every time I read them. I stop and re-read the paragraph to children. Charlotte’s Web is one of the best.
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What a great book to start. And you’re so right about comprehension. Yes, reading and listening takes work, but it brings on good stuff!!!
Thank you, Brian. You are spot on. It takes reading and listening to bring children (and adults) to a higher level of comprehension. And that’s the door that opens any world. Interestingly, the head of the English Department at our town’s prep school does exactly the same thing with her senior English class that I do with preschoolers when reading aloud – heads down, lights out.
I read this book to my classes too. I may have mentioned this before, but I once asked the kids what they thought. Did Fern imagine what the animals were saying, or did they really speak to her? They all thought that the animals were really speaking. That’s how deeply into the story the kids were.
That is wonderful! Of course they thought the animals really spoke to Fern, which is such a great tribute to the book and to children’s imaginations. I’m so glad you read Charlotte’s Web to your classes!
Many times! Great book.
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I love that you inspire the love of reading to your young students. What a gift. I recall reading an Amanda book to a grade 2 class (about 6-7 year olds) A little boy told me he loved the words I used as they painted pictures in his head. That made me so happy. I’m sure a teacher instilled that in him. xo
Thank you, Darlene. The only other things as important as reading to children are nature and outdoor play, art, and music.
At clean-up time, books are everywhere.
I think that’s a good thing, as children have the freedom to look at books anytime, and they do. My goodness, the little boy told you the words painted pictures in his head. That is as good as it gets, Darlene!
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Such a classic. You bring back wonderful memories.
I’m so glad to bring back memories! Thank you, Jacqui.
As you know Jennie.. I LOVED being read to by my teacher in my infant school… And having a vivid imagination I was in my seventh heaven as I imagined what the characters looked like and were doing… I think reading chapters like this is very stimulating to a child.. 🙂
Yes, I know and you were lucky to have a teacher who read to you. Imagine if every child had that! Best to you, Sue.
And much love right back ❤️
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Absolutely beautiful and wonderful, Jennie! Thank you for being an amazing person in these kids lives!! ❤
That’s so nice, Wynne. Thank you!
I suspect you’ve read this book far more times than I have to children. I’m guessing I read it about ten times over the years. Like you, I had my favorite annual reads. There have been times in retirment I’ve discovered a new winner, and I think to myself, if I were still teaching, I would read this story again and again.
I’m guessing I’ve read this book 25 times, maybe more. Way to go on 10 times! I know what you mean about finding a new winner. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s a big wow. I’ve added The Wild Robot to my read-alouds. The problem is, then I don’t have time to finish Little House on the Prairie. My new favorite is DogTown, by Katherine Applegate. Fabulous!!! Not for preschoolers, though. Your seniors (and you!) will love it. Best to you, Pete.
Charlotte’s Web is the book that caused me to fall in love with reading as a child.
Such a beautiful story the children will never forget this story Jennie. Thanks a lot 🙏
Thank you, Kamal!
Always welcome Jennie 😊
Jennie, It is interesting to learn that reading chapter books to preschoolers helps them be more successful in life. Our imagination is a wonderful tool.
When I first learned that, I was thunderstruck. That’s why I read chapter books. Yes, the imagination is everything.
It is lovely to learn and with a fun teacher like you.
That’s so nice. Thank you!
This is truly one of the best books ever. And it still stays with me, even though I am many decades past when I first read it. I was just thinking about it yesterday in fact. I’m sure your class loves it!
Yes, it is one of the best. After reading it aloud for close to 20 years, it is just as exciting, every year. Thank you, Sarah. I feel the same way you do.
I was blessed to have a teeacher who introduced this book to me back in third grade. A treasured book!
Lucky you! Thank you for telling me. It really is a treasure.
I love your idea to read from chapter books to help expand the imagination Jennie. Brilliant. ❤
Thank you, Debby. It really works. Best part of my day!
I agree about reading from chapter books when small Jennie, I can remember being read Black Beauty very young, and I was fascinated even if I didn’t understand all the words, but as soon as I was able it was the first book I read by myself and it sparked a life long love of reading and ultimately writing… your children are very lucky ♥
Thank you, Sally. You ‘get it’. You didn’t remember all the words in Black Beauty, but hearing the book read aloud made all the difference in developing a love of reading, and of course writing. A former student who is now 15 stopped by to pick up her art from when she was 4 (major blog post about that soon), and when I asked her what she remembered, there were three things; the loft in the classroom, Charlotte’s Web, and Gloria.
Wonderful Jennie and who could forget Gloria and I am sure all your students who were treated to her kind of comfort will remember her for life. ♥
Thank you, Sally. All true about Gloria. She’s my next post. 💕
I loved that book growing up! ❤️
It’s one of the best! 😀
Charlotte’s Web is such a wonderful story. They will remember that book and read it again when they are older. A gift to them.
It’s one of the best! They do remember. 💕
I directed a play adaptation of Charlotte’s Web with 7th and 8th graders just a few years ago. They loved the experience! I’m still in touch with Fern, Charlotte, and Wilbur who, are all in different colleges now. The parallels to the story and the brief lives we shared are not lost on me.
That is so wonderful! Thank you for telling me. When our experiences with students stick far beyond their time in the classroom, they’re the best memories.
Thanks for your always wonderful and so impressive ideas in teaching, Jennie! xx Michael
It’s my favorite tradition! Thanks so much, Michael.
Wonderful!
Thank you.