Category Archives: reading aloud

E.B. White

Posted on January 27, 2023 by Jennie

E.B. White’s thoughts always go through me like a Fourth of July sparkler.  He has a way with words, and he ‘knows’.  His wisdom is as remarkable as his writing.  He was the observer, the one who paid attention and … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 74 Comments

Remembering My Mentor and Hero, Jim Trelease

Posted on January 5, 2023 by Jennie

Jim Trelease visiting my classroom. Jim Trelease, the man who put reading-aloud on the map as #1 for children, has died. I had his million copy bestseller book since my kids were little. When I heard him speak at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, Early Education, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, literacy, Quotes, reading aloud | Tagged , , , | 119 Comments

Best Children’s Christmas Books – Annual Post

Posted on December 18, 2022 by Jennie

Christmas books are often more meaningful to read to a child after the holiday, once a child has experienced the joy of Christmas.      Red and Lulu, by Matt Tavares is the story of two cardinals who live in … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Family, Inspiration, joy, picture books, reading aloud, wonder | Tagged , | 50 Comments

My Teacher Lightbulb Moment – Part 2

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Jennie

In Part 1 I wrote about the moment a child and I smiled together, and how that was the start of my becoming a ‘real teacher’. Part 2 is how I continued, and how my teaching grew. I became ‘one’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, joy, Love, preschool, quilting, reading aloud, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 104 Comments

“Charlotte’s Web” and a Parent Conversation.

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Jennie

Dad (Michael) picked up his son (Bradley) from school this week.  We had a brief but powerful conversation, one I will long remember: Dad:  “You know, Bradley talks a lot about chapter reading at school.  He talks about Charlotte’s Web.” … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 74 Comments

A Smile Says it All – The Written Word, and Reading

Posted on September 29, 2022 by Jennie

My pen-pal is reading my letter.  Connecting with a child is a wondrous thing.  When that connection is cemented in written words and reading aloud, it gives the child an enormous boost in emotional development and confidence.  Suddenly the world … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Jim Trelease, literacy, reading, reading aloud, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 58 Comments

My Summer Books

Posted on September 25, 2022 by Jennie

These are the wonderful book I collected over the summer. Some I have read, some were gifted to me, and some are high on my TBR list. I purchased many in the collection- a tribute to the books, because it … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

When Reading-Aloud Grows a Reader

Posted on September 16, 2022 by Jennie

Reading aloud to children is the most important thing I do in my classroom, every single day.  I tell parents this every year. The fundamental constant that gives children the tools to succeed in school is language. The more words … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 66 Comments

A Year of Chapter Reading, 2022

Posted on June 11, 2022 by Jennie

Here is my newsletter to parents about our year of chapter reading.  It’s the best part of the day in the classroom. Chapter Reading June 10, 2022 Chapter reading is one of our treasured moments of the day.  We bring … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

Meeting a Blogger: The Letter, The Book, and the Otter

Posted on May 22, 2022 by Jennie

Do you often think how wonderful it would be to meet a favorite blogger – in person – and spend the day with them?  I certainly do.  And it happened!  Well, in order to tell the wonderful story, I must … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, reading aloud, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 137 Comments