Tag Archives: language and literacy

Writing With Children Makes a Difference

Posted on November 24, 2025 by Jennie

Language is the key to literacy, and literacy is the key to writing and reading.  That’s the pattern, how it develops.  So, what do I do in school to make this happen? I sing.  Singing cements words.  I sing “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 58 Comments

“The Halloween Story” – A Jennie Story

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Jennie

Every day at lunchtime I tell a story.  Children love a ‘Jennie Story’.  I thought you would enjoy this post from years ago, as ‘The Halloween Story” is always a favorite.  Of course I tell the story with excitement and … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Halloween, Imagination, literacy, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 74 Comments

How “Goodnight Moon” Evolves Each School Year

Posted on May 25, 2023 by Jennie

Language is #1 for children, and literacy is the road to developing their language.  I read picture books to children all the time, and chapter read at rest time.  Books are always available to children.  They become ‘good friends’ and … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, literacy, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 69 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

Picture Stories, Storytelling, and Writing Letters

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Jennie

Learning begins with language, building words upon words.  The more words children hear, the more they learn, and the better they do in school.  All of this leads up to reading readiness.  So, if I can give children hundreds and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, preschool, School, storytelling, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 78 Comments

Goodnight Moon – There’s More!

Posted on January 25, 2022 by Jennie

My recent post on Goodnight Moon, a classic book and certainly a staple in my classroom, was well received. Fellow blogger Beth I didn’t have my glasses on… has her school’s Spanish teacher read the book aloud to her Pre-K … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 50 Comments

Reading Aloud – a Trilogy.

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Jennie

I love this cartoon. A child sees the sign in the library “Read To Them!  They’ll Remember Forever.” She joins story time at the library. The librarian is reading, “Stories For Children.” The child then reads aloud to her stuffed … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 46 Comments

Jennie Video on The Kelly Clarkson Show

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Jennie

For my blogging friends who are unable to see The Kelly Clarkson Show, here is a clip of my part on the show.  Many bloggers have wanted to see me on the show, so here I am: https://www.nbc.com/the-kelly-clarkson-show/video/preschool-teacher-gets-huge-surprise-after-35-years-connecting-kids-with-books/824261977 I cannot … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 113 Comments

Books, Reading, and Puzzles

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Jennie

I can’t say enough to the families of the children I teach, about books and reading. The more they know and understand, the better it is for their child. This is a newsletter I sent to families yesterday: Hi Families, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 68 Comments

The Reader

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Jennie

Grammy:  “Do you want me to read you a book?  It’s so good!  It’s about a little girl like you who moves to America.  Here’s the book.” A Patricia MacLachlan book. Nora moves from Russia to the prairie of North … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Particia MacLachlan, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , | 68 Comments