Tag Archives: language development

The Importance of Reading Aloud – Guest Post

Posted on March 17, 2018 by

Thank you Norah Colvin at readilearn for having me as a guest.  I’m so glad you asked.  It was a pleasure. The Importance of Reading Aloud — A Guest Post by Jennie Fitzkee Jennie, a passionate and inspirational teacher, has … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Jim Trelease, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

A Letter From Her Majesty the Queen

Posted on January 8, 2018 by

Letter writing is alive and well in my classroom.  We wrote a letter to Queen Elizabeth, and we received a reply.  Children were beyond thrilled.  Everyone heard the sound of the letter opener tearing the envelope.  Anticipation! And there it … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 95 Comments

When Children Drive the Boat at Storytime

Posted on November 20, 2017 by

I’ve often said that the best learning and most meaningful experiences with children happen unexpectedly.  And, it happens all the time, especially with picture books.  You just have to seize the moment and be ready to let go of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 45 Comments

The Lunchbox Note and Storytelling: Lifetime Lessons

Posted on September 19, 2017 by

Lunchtime in the classroom with fifteen preschoolers is very busy.  Once containers are opened, hot foods are heated, milk straws are inserted into their boxes, and napkins are found, things change.  Drastically.   Lunch becomes intimate.  Not quiet, but a … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 89 Comments

Last (and Best) Parent Newsletter of the Year

Posted on June 20, 2017 by

My final newsletter to parents.  I tell them in a nutshell everything that mattered; the best thirty minutes of the day that made children’s minds come alive and made their hearts beat.  And every day, every thirty minutes, it happened. … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Look What Happened!

Posted on May 20, 2017 by

Independent reading.  SSR.  Call it what you like.  It is crossing over from learning to read words, to learning to read.  Parents and teachers alike take a deep breath and clasp their hands together when this happens.  There are no words … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 57 Comments

“The Stop Game”, From Dinosaurs to Poetry

Posted on May 17, 2017 by

I invented a game for reading-aloud children’s books that are, well…long or potentially boring in the eyes of the child.  Poetry!  Fact books!  In my heart, I know these books are hugely important.  I just needed to find a way … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, Poetry, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments