Today was Day One at school. I always worry that I won’t remember children’s names, but I remembered. Children arrived teary, excited, shy, and everything in between. We played, got to know each other, sang, and began the routines of the day.
One routine is chapter reading at rest time. First, I recite Goodnight Moon, which is a lovely, grounding verse to get ready for chapter reading. Today I read aloud the first few chapters of Charlotte’s Web, our first chapter book of the school year. I watched these young children – three years old – as they listened. They were still, and their eyes were wide open. No one said a word, because all the words in the book were pouring into their heads.
Children listen and hear long before they speak. The more words they hear, the better they will do in school. More importantly, when those words are from great books, it gives them an understanding of good and bad, right and wrong. Reading aloud books like Charlotte’s Web helps children learn and develop heart.
I will always champion for reading aloud.
Jim Trelease said it best:
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
This sounds like a perfect first day, Jennie. I’m sure your children felt so loved. My three year old granddaughters have their first day of preschool tomorrow. I hope their day is filled with the same joy.
Susan
That’s so nice, Susan! I hope so, too. Many thanks!
oh, Jennie. yes. a perfect first day. for you and for them.
Indeed!
It’s wonderful that your first day of school went well, Jennie! I love to see the expressions on the students’ faces when I read aloud to them.
I love to see that, too! Thank you, Miriam.
Your new students are the luckiest three-year-olds in the world.
Awww… that’s so nice, Barb. Thank you!
Brava, Jennie! This is wonderful and kind and true. Thank you for what you give to the little ones!
Thank you for your kind words, Lori. Much appreciated!
Good old Charlotte’s Web does it again.
Yes!!
I missed three sessions of reading aloud to my seniors as I attended my good friend Nancy’s memorial, and then I had jury duty last week. It was so good to see my group today, which is now up to about ten folks. You would love Al. He served in World War II and, at 92, still goes dancing twice a week with his “girlfriend” and does the jitterbug. 😊
Reading to your seniors at this time of year must feel like the start of a new year at school. I would definitely love Al! Ten folks – that’s wonderful! I still think of Nancy and all you have written about her. That memorial was very special. Best to you, Pete.
Excellent to hear of another group of children being exposed to the ancient oral tradition of storytelling. Long may you continue to practise it. 🙂
I will never stop storytelling, be it reading aloud or telling my Jennie Stories. That oral tradition is critical to learning and feeling on so many levels. Many thanks!
Amen to this all, Jennie! 🫂
Yes!! 😍
Love the quote by Mr.Trelise, it’s so true!
Trelease! Sorry 🙄
No worries! 🙂
Yes! It’s one of the best. Thank you, FR.
Charlotte’s Web will once again work it’s magic on your new class of little ones. The cycle continues.
Best wishes, Pete.
It’s a wonderful cycle, Pete. Thank you!
A classic that still holds up!!
Absolutely!
A heartwarming post today, Jennie. Best wishes on the new school year.
Thank you for your best wishes, John. I’m so glad you enjoyed this.
😊
Jennie, this is a lovely start to my morning. Hugs.
I’m so glad! 😍 Hugs to you, Teagan.
How wonderful, for the children and for you. May you all have the best year!!
Many, many thanks, Darlene!
A great start to the new year 💛💐
Thank you, Robbie.
It sounds like it was great day and I wish you and the Aqua Roomers a stellar year at school.
Thanks so much, Deborah!
You’re welcome, Jennie!
What a marvelous read-aloud choice, Jennie!
Thank you, Mitch. It’s one of the best.
I will always champion reading aloud to children and adults alike!
I love your comment, Liz. Thank you for including adults. I want to be like Pete Springer, reading to seniors. That will happen whenever I retire.
You’re welcome, Jennie. I think Pete is doing a great service to the seniors he reads to.
I think so, too!
Great work, Jennie! Teacher Jennie is back and her broomstick rests in the cabinet. Lol Best wishes, Michael
Thank you, Michael!
I suspect there is an energy released when reading aloud that children feel,
or audio books would be equal?
Yes, there is an energy released when reading aloud. Children definitely feel it. Audio books are wonderful, but they don’t even come close. The live person makes all the difference. The reader aloud can stop, make comments, ask questions, etc. Stories and reading come alive in this way.
As AI weirdness continues to invade our lives, live events with real people — such as reading aloud and singing together — will, I hope, become increasingly popular/revered…
Hear, hear!!
we feel the invisible energy between us
Yes!
I’m so glad that book is still popular.
Me, too!
A perfect way to begin the school year!
Yes, indeed. Thank you, Cathy.
Both of my grown children excelled in writing and Language Arts thanks to our tradition of reading aloud everyday and creating stories with their stuffed animals.
A fantastic way for you and your students to start the school year, for sure! I would have loved to have had you as a teacher!
I have big smiles reading about your children. Of course they excelled; reading aloud makes a huge difference. Thank you for your lovely comment!
This sounds like a wonderful first day of school Jennie. So nice to see children settled and you are too good. Thanks 👍😊👍😊
It was, Kamal. Thank you so much!
Always welcome dear Jennie. Have a wonderful weekend ahead ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, Kamal! Happy weekend to you, too.
What a terrific blog post, Jennie! I am guessing that you met and welcomed each one and every one of your new students in whatever emotional state the arrived – “teary, excited, shy, and everything in between.” I am also gently stunned by your choice of CHARLOTTE’S WEB as your first chapter book. of the year. There is a very intense plotline regarding Wilbur’s possible death (first as a baby pig and later as a meat animal to be slaughtered and consumed by his farm family) and how to prevent it, but apparently three-year-olds are ready to learn about this reality… Go, Jennie!
I must say, welcoming children with so many different emotional states is greatly enhanced with music. I find myself humming, singing, rocking, playing the autoharp all in a natural, spontaneous way. As to Charlotte’s Web, children’s receptive language is far more advanced than their expressive language. Yes, they can understand more than we realize. The book is so well written that the overall theme of love and kindness overcoming obstacles is what sticks with children. They champion with Wilbur and Charlotte. Thank you, Will!
You are always welcome dear Jennie. Lots of love and blessings ❤️❤️
Many thanks, Kamal!
Always welcome dear Jennie
Thank you, Kamal!
Another first day complete, Jennie. I’m sure it is one the children will remember for a long time.
Thank you, Dan!
You are so right about the power of reading aloud – and what a great book to feature!!
Thank you, Prior!
;o)
PS – just for fun, I wanted to share this comic
Haha! I love this!
;0)
Always welcome dear Jennie 🙏
Thank you, Kamal!
What a wonderful quote. The answer is so easy – no pill needed. Just READ to children. And perhaps we should be reading out loud to adults, as well. Happy new school year, Jennie. Another classroom of lucky students.
Yes, yes! Just read to children. When I retire (in a million years 😀) and have more time, I want to read to seniors, like Pete Springer. Thanks so much, Pam.
What a great goal for your retirement, dozens of years away. When my mom was in a memory care unit I read my children’s books to her. She wasn’t able to follow the story, but she loved the illustrations.
Thanks, Pam. You know how reading to seniors makes a difference. I bet she followed the story through your illustrations. Children do, yet they don’t say anything. Just like your mom.
🙏🙏🙏🙏
Yay you Jennie. You know well how to win their little hearts. 🧡
😍
What a great first day. I love to read aloud now with my grandkids, as much as I did with my students.
That’s wonderful, Carla. It makes a huge difference. Many thanks!