Tag Archives: language development

Books, Reading, and Puzzles

Posted on September 11, 2020 by

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

Chapter Reading Summary at School

Posted on June 20, 2020 by

As a teacher, I write about many things I do with young children.  I will tell you that the most important thing I do is reading aloud.  I know this is #1.  I also chapter read, which is uncommon in … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on June 20, 2020 by | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 70 Comments

Children’s Words, Part 3

Posted on March 6, 2020 by

In Part 2 I talked about children telling their stories in their own words.  Without a visual or help from a teacher- no crutch, it’s not so easy.  Welcome to the deep end, not the shallow end.  Children wrote and illustrated … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 60 Comments

Children’s Words, Part 2

Posted on March 1, 2020 by

In Part 1, I talked about writing thank you letters to the people in our neighborhood, our community helpers.  As a group, we planned the words, and children decorated the letters. This was fun!  They felt excited and proud. They … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, picture stories, preschool, reading aloud, storytelling, teaching, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 72 Comments

Children’s Words, Part 1

Posted on February 28, 2020 by

Writing a thank you letter is a favorite activity in my classroom.  First, children ‘write’ the words – this isn’t so easy.  Every writer knows that.  For children, they need to think about who the letter is for, and what … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, preschool, teaching, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

A Free ‘Oral Vaccine’ for Literacy

Posted on January 12, 2020 by

Yes, there really is a free oral vaccine for literacy.  It is reading aloud.  No, not reading.  Reading aloud.  Because, in order to become a reader (and a lifelong reader) you have to hear the words – first – over … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 67 Comments

Storytelling… and Ellis

Posted on November 19, 2019 by

Interestingly, my storytelling to children often happens in the bathroom.  While that might sound strange, it really isn’t.  It’s me, sitting on the bench with three or four children, squished in close.  It feels good.  We’re waiting for the child … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 68 Comments

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 7

Posted on August 11, 2019 by

In Part 6, I turned off the lights to tell a story, “The Halloween Story.”  Lights off can be as bonding as snuggling, and definitely an attention grabber.  The lesson learned was being brave, and how scary things might not be … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Mother Nature, Nature, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 61 Comments

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 5

Posted on July 25, 2019 by

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

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