Monthly Archives: June 2018

The Legacy of Milly the Quilter- a Series of Stories

Posted on June 30, 2018 by Jennie

Milly the quilter, a beloved friend to children in my classroom (and to me!) for ages, and the creator of many quilts designed by the children and hanging in places of prominence, has recently passed away.  Her last words to … Continue reading →

Posted in Death and dying, Early Education, quilting, storytelling | Tagged , , , , , , | 75 Comments

Gloria and Lucca, ‘Livin’ the Dream’

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Jennie

Everybody loves Gloria! Gloria’s social life and adventures with children are a natural result of what happens when good friends connect.  Children beg to take Gloria home for the weekend.  Her journal is packed with wonderful stories and photos of … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 50 Comments

E.B. White, A Personal Invitation, and Charlotte’s Web

Posted on June 23, 2018 by Jennie

I read aloud every day in my classroom, and weekly at the library.  Picture books are a mainstay, yet reading aloud chapter books can move the world.  Are you surprised?  Don’t be.  Thirty years of reading Charlotte’s Web is proof, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 112 Comments

“Jennie, Look!”

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Jennie

We were on the playground today, and children saw this beauty across the way.  “It’s a rainbow!” It isn’t an arc, and it hasn’t rained, so it cannot be a rainbow.  Mother Nature was smiling with colors and saying hello. … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Mother Nature, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 44 Comments

Add a sprinkle of glitter to make your day sparkle

Posted on June 17, 2018 by Jennie

Originally posted on Norah Colvin:
Children love to create artworks using pencils, crayons, paints and anything they can stick to a surface using glue. With access to a variety of materials, they can be absorbed for hours creating their masterpieces.…

Posted in Uncategorized | 31 Comments

Why?

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Jennie

Why does 62 degrees feel delightful on my open porch, yet freezing cold inside?  Me thinks it’s the porch, not the temperature, that feels so good.  A piece of heaven, I guess. ❤️ Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Mother Nature, Nature | Tagged , , | 51 Comments

Steve the Crossing Guard

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Jennie

Steve is a fellow blogger and a school crossing guard in western New York state.  I have to tell you what he does with children.  Obviously the best teachers are not always teachers in the classroom. Last January he wrote … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, young children | Tagged , , , , | 125 Comments

A Note Of Thanks

Posted on June 11, 2018 by Jennie

Dear Allie, Yes, we have had two wonderful years together. You have a gigantic heart. You are Gloria’s BFF.  You adore chapter reading. I love you. Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 33 Comments

What Happens at Chapter Reading, Part II

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Jennie

Our final chapter reading book this year at school is Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  The last chapter that we read, ‘Indians in the House’, sparked intense questions and conversations about Indians and people who are … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Death and dying, Early Education, Family, history, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

What Happens at Chapter Reading

Posted on June 4, 2018 by Jennie

My copy of Little House on the Prairie is so well-loved that two entire sections of the book have fallen out.  No matter; the words are all there.  I wouldn’t trade that book for anything.  When I finish reading each … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, history, Kindness, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments