Category Archives: Early Education

The Guest Reader – Age 6

Posted on December 5, 2018 by Jennie

Aaryan has been asking me for days to come into the classroom and be a guest reader.  “Jennie, I have the book in my backpack.  It’s the fish book.  They’re red and blue.  When can I come in and read?” … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, joy, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Student alumni, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

The Very Hungry Caterpillar – 50th Anniversary

Posted on December 1, 2018 by Jennie

Fifty years.  That’s a very long time.  For a book to still be alive, vibrant, and read all over the world – fifty years later – is astounding.  The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, history, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

The Playground at Night

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Jennie

Light and Dark on the Playground In the dark and cold of December Children see new things The dark gives light and beauty To the starkness And when children return in the morning Blues and whites appear Colors that were … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

A Story of Reading Aloud

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Jennie

Author Kate DiCamillo tells a childhood story of her teacher reading aloud, when she was in second grade.  It is powerful.  She remembers every detail… including the class bully. “It’s 1972, and I’m 8 years old and in second grade … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling | Tagged , , , , , , | 63 Comments

Two Preschool Generations

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Jennie

Thirty years ago Nurse Eamonn was in my preschool class.  He was adorable (but don’t tell him I said that.)  In high school he did his internship in my classroom.  Ah, he had the touch.  I knew there was a … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 51 Comments

A Boy and Robots

Posted on November 14, 2018 by Jennie

Rylan is the boy who loves reading.  He is part of my library read-aloud group, a big part.  That’s because he listens with his heart, and his mind.  His body tells me so.  Rylan’s eyes are glued to me, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

The Importance Of Play

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Jennie

We all hear that play is important for children.  I know it’s important.  It’s their work; how they learn to make friends, negotiate, solve problems with objects, and solve problems with other children.  Play is having fun, and it’s also … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Kindness, Play, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 72 Comments

Halloween Parent Email

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Jennie

An email from a parent, to all the families, late last night: Hello! I wanted to share this moment from today: while we were trick-or-treating at the library today I lost sight of Luella (truth be told, I was in … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, preschool, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 36 Comments

Halloween at School

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Jennie

Halloween at school is Pajama Day!  Everyone wears PJs, teachers included.  Of course there’s a (wonderful) method behind our madness.  Costumes can be scary for some children, and how cool is it to wear your pajamas to school! We also … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Halloween, Imagination, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Language, Literacy, and Storytelling – Part 5 – The Conclusion

Posted on October 30, 2018 by Jennie

In Part 4, I shared my storytelling at school.  In the bathroom I use rhyming words and tell make-believe stories.  I incorporate children’s names into the story.  I add complex vocabulary words.  At lunchtime, I tell Jennie Stories, true stories of … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Death and dying, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, Kindness, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments