Monthly Archives: May 2017

Who Is Normal?

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Jennie

Originally posted on Down the Hall on Your Left:
EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE I AM ASKED TO GIVE SHORT SPEECHES or presentations to civic groups or service organizations. I’ve done a few things for the likes of Kiwanis and businesses.…

Posted in Uncategorized | 14 Comments

Memorial Day With Children

Posted on May 28, 2017 by Jennie

There’s nothing like greeting a soldier in dress uniform.  For young children, they are in awe.  That presence naturally commands respect.  I hosted our school’s Memorial Day Remembrance on Friday, with Army Sergeant First Class John as our guest speaker.  As John looked at … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, military, patriotism, picture books, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 39 Comments

Logic vs Imagination

Posted on May 25, 2017 by Jennie

I love this quote. It speaks to how I teach children and what I now know after 30-plus years of teaching. Thank you, Albert Einstein. I first saw this on my friend Paulette Motzko’s wonderful blog, totallyinspiredmind.com.  She always has something uplifting … Continue reading →

Posted in Einstein, Imagination, Quotes | Tagged , , , | 31 Comments

Our Memory Garden

Posted on May 24, 2017 by Jennie

As Memorial Day approaches, I think of our Memory Garden at school.  It is a place to host our Memorial Day Remembrance for children and families, and a place to celebrate the hero in all of us on Kindness Peace … Continue reading →

Posted in patriotism, Peace, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 47 Comments

Look What Happened!

Posted on May 20, 2017 by Jennie

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 Jennie

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

Happy Birthday, Milly

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Jennie

We wished Milly a Happy Birthday this week, as she turns 87-years-young.         Since 2009, Milly has been connecting generations with my preschoolers.  I get to stand back and watch love and happiness ignite into hugs and smiles, from both the children … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Kindness, Peace, quilting | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

The Heart of My Old Books

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Jennie

My dear old books have witnessed decades of children carefully listening to their words.  They have made children laugh, feel scared, ask hundreds of questions, and come to understand the heart of well-written words and a good story.  Words are … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, reading, reading aloud, storytelling | Tagged , , , , , | 57 Comments

Quotations on Perseverance

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Jennie

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
(https://en.wikipedia.org) “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you…

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Isabelle’s Story

Posted on May 6, 2017 by Jennie

I read-aloud at the library; great literature and a captive audience of children. Isabelle is part of my book group that includes first and second graders.  As the year has progressed she has grown from shy and quiet to relaxed and chatty.  … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, reading, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 63 Comments