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 to read him The Wild Robot each night. We remembered that Mac started to read chapter books with you at this age. Too bad Angus can’t be in the Aqua Room with you this year!”
All of our best,
The Igoes
The photos span many years. What a treasure to see that reading aloud sticks – really sticks. In order to tell you the whole story (oh, it’s a good story), here is a blog repost. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did, again.
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This Christmas card arrived from Mac and his family. Oh, the memories and stories I have to tell. He is quite ‘old’ in this photo, so I have to go back four years to tell you about Mac.
“Oh Jennie, how we miss you so!
We are forever grateful for the 2 years Mac had with you
that will serve him for a lifetime.
Lots of love.”
Mac wasn’t quite three years old when he started in my preschool class. One of my first memories is when he discovered our Memory Garden at school. He wanted to know about the stones and statues, and the departed classroom pets they represented. He loved the planted American flags. We had just had a Memorial Day remembrance at school. It made an impression on him. Mac often ‘visited’ the Memory Garden after that day.
November 9, 2017
Mac loved spending time looking at the picture books in the classroom. His absolute favorite book was Humphrey The Lost Whale. Every time I read this book to children, I think of Mac. It’s a nice memory for me.
The book includes a map of the United States on the end papers. This is where Mac started a lesson that exploded in the best of ways.
First we studied the map and traced Humphrey’s route from the ocean to the Sacramento River. Next, we studied the small map, but it was too small to really see. I got out our Big Book Atlas. We found San Francisco and Humphrey’s locale. We also found Massachusetts (we always relate geography to home), and then the questions started to flow.
“Why is Massachusetts so small?” “How far away is Humphrey?”
Mac noticed Mount Rushmore on the Big Book Atlas. “What’s that?”
I told them about carving the huge rock. I told them about the four presidents. I tried to explain how big Mount Rushmore really is. “You would be much smaller than the nose.”
Blank stares. I had to do more. I grabbed the iPad and found a photo of a worker on the nose at Mount Rushmore. That helped show Mac and the children about the size. This was exciting! Of course it had nothing to do with Humphrey, but that didn’t matter. This is emergent curriculum, when a teachable moment presents itself, and that becomes the lesson. This was a joyful one for everybody. And yes, we finally read Humphrey the Lost Whale. Mac took it home that weekend.
Mac loved Gloria
January 9, 2019
Mac’s dad was a high school English teacher, and was surprised that I read chapter books to the children at rest time. We often had discussions about children and reading, even though the ages of the students we taught were far apart. Interestingly, he reached out to me as to how to get his students to listen to books he read aloud, and of course to get them to read more. Teacher to teacher.
“Turn out the lights. Have them put their heads down on their desks and close their eyes”, I suggested. “That’s what I do at chapter reading.”
He was stunned. “Really?”
One of the first things children will often ask is, “Where are the pictures?”, and I tell them how to make the pictures in their head: the words go into your ears, then to your brain, and sometimes into your heart. Then, you will see the pictures.”
We talked about this for a while. He was excited, as if he had discovered something brand new. Well, he had. The following week he couldn’t wait to tell me how marvelous it now was to read aloud to his students. I smiled. He did, too.
Mac and his family moved away. That summer Mac and his dad went camping up north. They got supplies in a nearby town, including a trip to the local book store for Mac to pick out a book for his dad to read to him. He selected Charlotte’s Web, which Mac loved and remembered from chapter reading in the classroom. Dad was so happy, he sent me this photo:
July 24, 2019
A few years later – which is now – these memories are still with Mac and his family. They’re still with me, too. Thank you, Mac!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Love it.
Thank you!
I always enjoy the stories about your continuing connections with your former students, Jennie. It shows the lasting impression you made in the Aqua Room.
Thanks, Dan. It keeps me inspired.
I loved this story the first time I read it on your blog, and even love it more now. Kids never forget!!
I’m so glad, Darlene! Yes, kids never forget. 😀
The circle of wonder continues, and all because of you. What a legacy!
Best wishes, Pete.
Aww… that’s so nice of you to say, Pete. Thank you. ❤️
I’ll borrow that phrase from beetleypete: “The circle of wonder continues…” The depths of reading out loud are fathomless.
Isn’t that a wonderful phrase? Pete is the best. Yes, fathomless. Thank you, Laura.
isn’t this the best? full circle and beyond? the gift that keeps on giving –
Yes, and yes!! You have been there and truly understand. Thank you, Beth.
What a gift.
Yes, indeed!
Jennie….thank you so much for sharing with us. A great way to start my morning! 🥰💝🥰
I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Vicki. 😍
🥰💝🥰
How very rewarding, Jennie. It is nice to do work that makes such a big and long term difference.
Well said, Robbie. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing!
You are welcome.
Beautiful, Jennie.
Thank you, Don.
This is lovely and a testament to you, Jennie and your commitment what goes around comes around…A fabulous example xx
Awww… that’s so nice of you to say. Thank you! Yes, what goes around comes around. Best to you, Carol.
Thank you for sharing Mac’s story with us. The best part for me is when Mac jumped at the chance to read Charlotte’s Web to his little brother. I’ll bet the memory of those moments with his big brother will stay with Angus for the rest of his life.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the story, Liz. Mac jumping to read to his brother was my favorite part, too. Memories stick!
😊
Wonderful!
Thank you, Anneli.
A delightful story, Jennie. Mac’s mom is right. The two years with you will influence him for a lifetime.
Thank you, John. Yes, two years has an enormous influence on young children, especially when it comes to reading aloud.
😊
Beautiful! ❤
Thank you, Annette.
Beautiful and so nice to see children reading wonderful stories. Lovely pics and post Jennie
Many thanks, Kamal.
You are always welcome dear Jennie ❤️
Many thanks, Kamal!
How inspirational. Thank you so much, Jennie. I’m at the ‘coal face’ right now with a youngster who needs a lot of input and understanding. It helps a lot to read your posts and realise that ongoing positive input really matters. Always.
Awww… I’m so glad, Sarah. Yes, it really matters!
This post is one of my all-time favorites, Jennie. Considering you already know how much I value you as both an educator and a friend, please take that into account. What better gift can we provide children than a love for reading? The before and after Mac pictures are priceless.
I LOVE your explanation of where the pictures are. Imagination is the best!
My memory isn’t as good as it used to be, but I wonder if we’ve talked about Humphrey the Whale before. We had a gray whale (not the same species as Humphrey) that swam up the Klamath River, about an hour north of us, and got stuck, ultimately dying. Here is the story: https://now.humboldt.edu/news/wayward-whale-offers-students-unique-access-before-her-death
Pete, this is one of my all-time favorites, too. Many thanks; I know how you feel, and you know I feel the same way about you. There is no better gift than giving children a love for reading. And imagination is absolutely the best. I couldn’t wait to post Mac’s before and after photos!!!
I don’t think we talked about Humphrey before. He swam up up the Sacramento River after he went into the bay by the Golden Gate Bridge. The river became smaller and smaller, yet people had a plan to help him turn around and head back to the ocean. I enjoyed your link, and the story is similar to Humphrey.
You are always welcome dear Jennie 🙏
Thank you, Kamal!
It doesn’t get any better than that. This is so cool that they are still in your heart and you in theirs.
I remember Humphrey the Lost Whale! I lived not too far from where he was in the slough. I followed that story until the end. I’m so glad it had a happy ending!
Yes, and yes! Very cool, indeed. Thank you, Deborah. You remember and followed the Humphrey story- big wow! The book is absolutely wonderful. 😀
This is wonderful, and I hadn’t read the original post, so doubly wonderful. Thanks, Jennie!
Aww… thank you, Olga. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post.
What a wonderful tribute to the value of reading. I love that Mac is continuing to do so. I have teachers and librarians to thank for my continuing reading journey.
I feel exactly the same way! Many thanks.
Readers rule & so do you Jennie!
Thank you, Cindy!
LOVED this post of Mac now and then and such a celebration of reading
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I’m so glad you loved this, Yvette. Many thanks!
💚🤗
A wonderful post Jennie and how lovely that Mac is passing along the joy he found in your classroom and with his Dad… to his brother… it must be heartwarming for you to maintain that contact and see the impact you have on the lives of your young students. ♥
Thank you, Sally. Yes, it is very heartwarming. I treasure these past connections, and Mac is a big one.
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Thank you, Sally!
These are the stories i enjoy reading. You are a great role model for every aspirant would become a teacher. Not only for pre-schooling. Thanks in the name of all! Best wishes, Michael
Beautiful, just beautiful! Your words are so endearing. Thank you, Michael!!
A wonderful glimpse into Mac’s experience as a preschooler, and how much he’s grown, Jennie. It was wonderful to see him as a little one being read to, and now as a big one doing the reading. You make a lasting positive difference in the lives of kids and families.
I so enjoyed seeing Mac reading ‘today’, and reflecting on how he’s grown. I just love this! Thank you for your lovely comment, Diana!
You plant amazing seeds in children, and they follow. 💜
That’s so nice, Debby. Thank you!
I used to love reading aloud to my sons, and they loved bringing books to me to read to them. I used to get them to turn the pages as both of them would lean me, one on each arm. Happy days. Did any of your children go to sleep in the class when they put their heads down and closed their eyes?
Those were definitely happy days for you and the boys. Yes, some children fall asleep midway through chapter reading. As the year goes on, they’re better able to stay awake, and don’t want to miss what’s happening.
This is absolutely priceless, Jennie. What great memories you and Mac have of one another. I love when my oldest grandson reads to the younger one. I makes my heart happy.
Yes, great memories of Mac and me. Thank you, Carla. I’m so glad to know your oldest grandson reads to his young brother. Those are the moments that fill our heart.
Welcome Jennie
Thank you, Kamal.
Always welcome dear Jennie 🙏🙏
Thank you, Kamal!
Always welcome Jennie ☺️
Thank you, Kamal!
Always welcome Jennie 😊
Thank you, Kamal!
❤️❤️❤️❤️