Category Archives: Early Education

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

Robots!

Posted on January 27, 2025 by Jennie

Children love robots.  They’re a great introduction to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) learning, and robots are very cool.  I invited our local Groton-Dunstable High School Robotics Club – The Robotomies – to visit the Aqua Roomers with their robots.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Giving thanks, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, robots, School, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 80 Comments

Family Photo Collages

Posted on January 6, 2025 by Jennie

Our first parent event at school is Back-To-School Night.  We have a meet-and-greet, parents connect with each other and with teachers, and we talk about our philosophy and curriculum. Then, parents make a family photo collage for their child.  It … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, joy, Love, picture books, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 69 Comments

The Best Children’s Christmas Books – Annual Post

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Jennie

This is a repost of my favorite Christmas books.  Every year they grow stronger, because children love them.  These are the books children and adults want to read over and over again.  That’s why they’re the best.  Please, go to … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, reading, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , | 69 Comments

Lost and Found!

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Jennie

‘Lost and Found’ is a story that has eclipsed most stories that have happened over the past 40 years.  Milly the Quilter and Gloria remain #1, and I’d be hard pressed to tell a story that is more meaningful than … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, young children | Tagged , , , | 75 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

40 Year Bookends

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Jennie

All in a day, I bumped into ‘bookends’, parents of a student in my first class forty years ago, and parents of a child this past year. Michelle was one of my first students.  The local newspaper came to take … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 71 Comments

The Former Student – On Teaching

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Jennie

Noah was my student, over twenty years ago. He loved music. It was my autoharp and singing that helped him adjust to school. We have stayed in touch. When he was in high school he came to play the keyboard, … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, School, teaching | Tagged , , | 87 Comments