Monthly Archives: October 2019

Telling a Halloween Story – A Classic “Jennie Story”

Storytelling is, and has always been, the foundation for language and learning.  I write about children, yet storytelling applies to all people.  Words and ideas are how we start to learn, and how we continue to learn. Everybody loves a … Continue reading

Posted in Halloween, Imagination, preschool, storytelling | Tagged , , , , , | 87 Comments

Reading Aloud – To You! Part 6

My reading aloud The Poet’s Dog by Patricia MacLachlan continues with chapters ten and eleven.  Chapter ten is 5:25 and chapter eleven is 3:49. Everything is coming to a head.  The storm is over, and… well, you’ll see (and hear.)  Much happens … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Dogs, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Love, Particia MacLachlan, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

Saying Goodbye

We said our goodbyes to Ella the Fella.  Since Ella’s birthday is in December, children decided to sing “Happy Birthday.” Next, they wanted to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Flowers were placed alongside Ella’s marker. Miles told us, “There’s an … Continue reading

Posted in behavior, Death and dying, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Quotes, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 62 Comments

A Magical Evening at School

Every year we have a party for families at school.  It begins with a pizza supper on the playground, followed by carving jack-o-lanterns.  It is wonderful.  Families meet and greet, eat pizza, and then roll up their sleeves to carve … Continue reading

Posted in Halloween, Imagination, jack-o-lanterns, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 52 Comments

Facing Death – This Afternoon

Patting Ella the Fella this afternoon Late every Sunday afternoon I go to school to take care of Ella the Fella, our beloved guinea pig.  He is old, and has felt boney over the past year.  Last Sunday I accidentally … Continue reading

Posted in behavior, Death and dying, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 85 Comments

Reading Aloud – To You! Part 5 (and a Bonus)

My reading aloud The Poet’s Dog by Patricia MacLachlan continues with chapters eight and nine.  Chapter eight is 3:27 and chapter nine is 3:39. Sylvan is stubborn about taking his medicine.  Flora wonders if Sylvan really left Teddy. She worries what will … Continue reading

Posted in Author interview, Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, history, Particia MacLachlan, picture books, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Gloria’s Excellent Adventure

Gloria often goes home with a child on the weekend.  She has a bag, a quilt, and a journal. She is ready for anything, from graduations to soccer games, to holiday celebrations.  It didn’t used to be that way, until … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 64 Comments

The Apollo, the Eagle, and an Astronaut

“With courage, imagination, and the will to explore, nothing is impossible.” -Neil Armstrong- Those were the words that stuck with me when I visited the Kennedy Space Center in Florida last week.  I will make a banner of Armstrong’s quote … Continue reading

Posted in America, Early Education, geography, history, Inspiration, Learning About the World, military, patriotism, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 68 Comments

Reading Aloud – To You! Part 4

My reading aloud The Poet’s Dog by Patricia MacLachlan continues with chapters six and seven.  Chapter six is 4:25 and chapter seven is 3:04. Ellie can now hear Teddy speak, and Sylvan becomes quite sick.  The snow storm is showing no sign … Continue reading

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Dogs, Early Education, Particia MacLachlan, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Reading Aloud = Academic Success

I will always champion reading aloud to children because I know, first hand, what a huge difference it makes.  Some people need to hear all the reasons.  I have written plenty of stories about those.  Some people need to read … Continue reading

Posted in books, Early Education, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , | 86 Comments