Tag Archives: literacy

Chapter Reading

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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Reading Aloud = Academic Success + Pleasure

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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Reading to Children

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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Two Final ‘Jennie Stories’ This Summer

The lazy days of summer will be ending soon, and I’ll be back to writing my reflections.  I feel like a farmer who is holding back his cows, but is still dishing out the ice cream they made.  I hope … Continue reading

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A Thriller Jennie Story

The Tree Story “It happened like this… this is my house, and this is the Kruger’s house (I physically hold up my arm to show one and the other, side-by-side).  My house and the Kruger’s house.   In between the two … Continue reading

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The Popular Jennie Story

The Bat Story “It happened like this… when I was a little girl I loved to ride my bike.  It was red, and I rode it everywhere.  I’d pack a bologna sandwich in a paper bag and head off to … Continue reading

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More Jennie Stories

The Raccoon Story “It happened like this… many years ago when my children were little, we lived in an old stone farm house in Ivyland, Pennsylvania. In the summer it often got very hot and we had no air conditioning.  … Continue reading

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Storytelling; Jennie Stories

Storytelling is important to young children because oral language is the key to reading readiness.  It’s also a key to academic success.  Think about it; in early elementary school the primary source of instruction is oral.  At school, I tell … Continue reading

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Singing Poetry, Books, and Anything in Print

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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“It Happened Like This…”

This is the classic line to begin a great story, and a true story.  I say this often in the classroom, as language and stories are strong building blocks.  The children are very familiar with this phrase, as I tell … Continue reading

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