Category Archives: Early Education

Storytelling: A Halloween Story

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Jennie

Storytelling is, and has always been, the foundation for language and learning.  I write about children, yet storytelling applies to all people.  Words and ideas are how we start to learn, and how we continue to learn. Everybody loves a … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, storytelling, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Picture Books, Humor & Vocabulary

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Jennie

Author Ryan T. Higgins is hysterical. I mean unexpected, fall-down-laughing hysterical. His two children’s books are favorites in my classroom.  The storyline is a grumpy old bear who likes eggs, and what happens is imaginative and funny.  I read Mother … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, reading aloud, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Two Blog Awards

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Jennie

Thank you to my good friend and happy blogger Nina over at The Happy Life – http://www.thehappylife101.wordpress.com – for nominating me for the Versatile Blog Award.  I am honored!  The rules are to list seven random facts about yourself, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Kindness, Peace | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Making Magic

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Jennie

Each year I host a party for children and their families, and every year it creates magic– not the storybook or pretend magic, but something very real. Families gather with their children when school closes and have a pizza party … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 39 Comments

Singing Spontaneously

Posted on October 15, 2016 by Jennie

Singing is perhaps the second most important thing I do for children, right behind reading-aloud.  The biggest impact seems to come when singing is spontaneous. Lunchtime was a case in point: “You Are My Sunshine” lunchbox note. Savannah’s lunchbox often … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 34 Comments

“Gloria”

Posted on October 9, 2016 by Jennie

Gloria is perhaps the kindest and most beloved member of my class.  She has been around for quite some time, and she returned to school this week.  The children were… well, a bit unsure at first.  After all, Gloria is … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Kindness, Peace, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 52 Comments

“The Poet’s Dog”, a Book For The Ages

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Jennie

“Dogs speak words.  But only poets and children hear.” Those are the opening words in Patricia MacLachlan’s new book, The Poet’s Dog.  I have read the book twice, because there are many words not to be missed; words that are … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 34 Comments

My First Book Review

Posted on September 24, 2016 by Jennie

I am excited to share with you my book review of Raymie Nightingale my Kate DiCamillo for Read Aloud West Virginia.  Their mission is to promote literacy and motivate children to WANT to read.  This publication is distributed to over 4,000 people.

Posted in Early Education, reading aloud, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 26 Comments

The Best Book, Every Year

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Jennie

“Jennie, is chapter reading over?”  That was Parker’s worrisome question today. He just wasn’t ready to let it go.  “Can we read more?”  Isn’t that question the Brass Ring?  The one that validates not only chapter reading, but one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , | 43 Comments

Bringing Community to Children

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Jennie

Andy the Tool Man is a carpenter.  He prides himself in both his craftsmanship and his father’s and grandfather’s hand tools.  There’s something warm and enticing about old tools.  Andy knows that, and so do the children. We used the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 39 Comments