Category Archives: preschool

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 8

Posted on August 24, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 7, I told the story of the huge tree that almost fell over on our neighbor’s house.  The Fire Chief in his big red fire truck, and the Tree Man in his cherry picker truck added plenty of real … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 55 Comments

Two Moons, Two Jane Yolen Books

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Jennie

The year was 1987.  I had been teaching preschool for three years.  I was immersed in children’s books, reading the great ones and the new ones.  That was the year I became picky about books, because what I read aloud … Continue reading →

Posted in Author interview, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, Inspiration, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 81 Comments

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 6

Posted on August 2, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 5, children were connecting words to other stories.  Their language and critical, divergent thinking was expanding.  I told another Jennie Story that had plenty of excitement, “The Spider Story.” Part 6 Turning off the lights when telling a story … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Halloween, Imagination, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

Charlotte’s Web – Another Story

Posted on July 27, 2019 by Jennie

Mac was in my preschool class for the past two years.  He always loved chapter reading and was a vessel full of questions.  Does chapter reading work with the youngest of children?  Can a four-year-old grasp the content?  Do they … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Death and dying, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Kindness, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 55 Comments

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 5

Posted on July 25, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 4, I talked about adventure stories.  A cliffhanger ending holds  the attention in children, and that means more language and words are pouring into their minds.  Teacher bonding is an added bonus.  I told a Jennie Story with plenty … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Nature, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 81 Comments

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 4

Posted on July 19, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 3, I talked about telling scary stories.  Children love that anticipation of being scared.  One of my most popular Jennie Stories, “The Bat Story”, is just that – being scared. Part 4 Adventure and ‘cliffhanger’ moments, when they … Continue reading →

Posted in preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 101 Comments

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 2

Posted on July 6, 2019 by Jennie

  In Part 1, I talked about storytelling, true stories, “It happened like this” stories.  I had always read aloud to children, but telling them my stories was different.  It turned out that I had discovered another pathway to language and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 59 Comments

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 1

Posted on June 30, 2019 by Jennie

I remember the first story I told to children.  It happened at lunchtime.  That’s not surprising as lunchtime is perhaps our most intimate time of the day.  It is where teachers and children bond.  One day at lunch, we had … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, play performances, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

When Children Tell Their Stories

Posted on June 28, 2019 by Jennie

Stories.  That word alone is groundbreaking.  It means listening, looking, hearing, and thinking.  Stories light a fire.  That means learning. Children have more ideas and thoughts in their heads than we realize.  Their brains are gigantic sponges; they see it … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, picture stories, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 62 Comments

This Year’s Favorite Picture Books

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Jennie

Every year children vote on their favorite chapter reading book.  Charlotte’s Web is the clear winner most years.  This year we voted on our favorite picture books as well.  That was a big challenge for children as we read at … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 74 Comments