Category Archives: Teaching young children

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

E.B. White’s Grandniece – In My Classroom

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Jennie

It happened like this: And as you know, those are the beginning words to a really good story.  So, hold on to your hat. Last spring I learned that E.B. White’s grandniece was giving a presentation at my local library.  … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 89 Comments

‘Friday Night Lights’ With My Preschooler

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Jennie

Thank you, Wesley.  I was thrilled to come to your high school football game. Children are precious.  I’m the lucky one when they come into my class.  And when they leave, they never really leave, because they are a part … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, preschool, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

Language, Literacy, and Storytelling – Part 4

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Jennie

In Part 3, I shared proof of the powerful and positive effects of storytelling, through the story of Cuban cigars and their high quality – thanks to la lectura.  I am also happy to report that the 12th grade English teacher from … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 52 Comments

Meeting A Favorite Author, Kate DiCamillo

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Jennie

If I taught third grade, I’d be reading aloud to children Because of Winn-Dixie.  If I taught fourth grade, I’d be reading aloud The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.  If I taught fifth grade I’d be reading aloud Flora and Ulysses.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Author interview, Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 52 Comments

“Ravioli” and Goodnight Moon

Posted on October 13, 2018 by Jennie

One of our favorite times of the day at school is chapter reading.  It is intimate.  We feel snuggled together.  Much like being in sleeping bags while camping, with nothing but words to hear, we look forward to that time. … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

Language, Literacy, and Storytelling – Part 3

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Jennie

In Part 2, I shared worrisome statistics about children who enter school excited to learn to read, and the dramatic drop-off when they are not exposed to books and hearing words.  I talked about the next step, engaging children in both … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Imagination, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 64 Comments

Nature on the Playground

Posted on October 6, 2018 by Jennie

The last flowers of summer, strong and tall. A playground in itself for butterflies and bees. A wonder of discovery for children. Nature is the greatest teacher. Every day the playground at school is chocked full of something to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, joy, Mother Nature, Nature, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 68 Comments