Tag Archives: chapter reading

Chapter Reading

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Jennie

Chapter reading is one of our treasured moments of the day. We bring to life the imagination, the world, and the past. The anticipation of ‘what happens next’ stirs excitement every day. Children listen and think. They ask questions. Ask … Continue reading →

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Teaching: it’s The Cake and the Frosting

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Jennie

Our everyday learning in the classroom reminds me of a big cake. The necessary ingredients are science, math, reading, writing, language, geography and the arts. A cake is mixed by hand, just as our learning is hands-on. And, the frosting? … Continue reading →

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Reading Aloud = Academic Success + Pleasure

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Jennie

This is about more than reading; this is about academic success, learning to read, and loving to read.  It’s about young children and older children, and what happens along the way.  Here are worrisome statistics and great stories.  You should … Continue reading →

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The Power of Books; You Have to Read It to ‘Get It’

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Jennie

The best part of my day as a teacher, and the most important part, is reading aloud to children.  I read picture books at least twice a day and a chapter book every day.  I always become moved and emotionally … Continue reading →

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Reading Aloud Makes a Big Difference. Here’s Proof.

Posted on November 23, 2014 by Jennie

I love a good story, especially one that involves reading aloud and the stunning difference it makes with children.  Here is a favorite story of mine, from the million-copy best selling book, The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease: “During his … Continue reading →

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Reading to Children

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Jennie

We are reading Charlotte’s Web, our first chapter reading book of the school year. In just these first weeks of school, children are already hooked on this wonderful book. The older children laugh when the goose repeats things three times. … Continue reading →

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The Things Children Say

Posted on August 31, 2014 by Jennie

Children’s comments and questions range from curious to humorous.  Young children are unbridled, and anything involved with learning and exploring has a question; that’s why the things they say are quite wonderful.  As I sorted through oodles of paperwork this … Continue reading →

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Singing Poetry, Books, and Anything in Print

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Jennie

At our monthly staff meeting last week a teacher shared a wonderful frog poem written on chart paper.  The rhyming words were highlighted in a different color.  She showed us how to use the poem with props; a stick to … Continue reading →

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Giving the Gift of Reading and Friendship

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Jennie

Never underestimate children.  The same goes for those who know what it takes to make a difference with children.  This week both statements came into clear focus when I drove from Massachusetts to West Virginia with a car full of … Continue reading →

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Sharing Literacy and Changing Learning

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Jennie

After thirty years of teaching, if someone pinned me down and asked, “Okay, Jennie, what is the most important thing you teach, and what makes the biggest difference?”, I would know the answer, hands-down.  Really.  It is literacy and reading … Continue reading →

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