Monthly Archives: July 2021

Cape Cod and Friends

I am on the Cape with dear friends.  Dear is an understatement.  We have been together for 25 years, since our children were little.  Now, we have grandchildren, and our adventures keep on going.  I wouldn’t trade these ladies for … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Love, Nature | Tagged , | 74 Comments

The Real Start of Teaching the Fourth of July – Part 4

In Part 3, we made a giant sketch for the quilt based on what the children felt were important parts of the song and the book, “This Land is Your Land.”  Woody’s guitar, the church from the ‘sad page’, landmarks … Continue reading

Posted in America, American flag, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, picture books, preschool, quilting, Singing, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 67 Comments

Tiny Julia and a Tiny Tree

It is raining cats and dogs today.  I went outside to check on Julia, our baby frog who has taken up residence in our pool.  The children named the frog Julia.  The vote was unanimous.  Julia was nowhere to be … Continue reading

Posted in Inspiration, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , | 62 Comments

The Real Start of Teaching the Fourth of July – Part 3

In Part 2, after the song had become all-consuming for children, I told Naomi about the one time this had happened before, eight years ago.  A song was  beloved to children.  They couldn’t get enough.  And so, we made a quilt.  … Continue reading

Posted in America, American flag, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, patriotism, preschool, quilting, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 42 Comments

Poolside Visitor

There he was, on the stairs, so very tiny. He wasn’t afraid. I reached out my fingers, And he climbed right on. His black eyes have a gold circle. His chin line is bright yellow. He’s really beautiful. I told … Continue reading

Posted in Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Learning About the World, Nature, Quotes, wonder | Tagged , , , | 80 Comments

The Real Start of Teaching the Fourth of July – Part 2

This piece is actually about the last quilt my class made. Bloggers have asked me to ‘finish the story’. Here is Part 2, with two more to follow. Over the summer I will go back to the beginning, how it … Continue reading

Posted in America, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, geography, Gloria, Inspiration, music, picture books, quilting, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 51 Comments

The Real Start of Teaching the Fourth of July

The Fourth of July – America’s declaration of independence.  I teach children about the American flag, and patriotism.  It’s important.  Best of all, children often lead the way.  Their interests are the springboard for the best learning. The Fourth of … Continue reading

Posted in America, American flag, Early Education, geography, Giving thanks, history, Inspiration, music, patriotism, picture books, preschool, quilting, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 72 Comments

Happy Birthday Canada!

Originally posted on Butterfly Sand:
I first posted this when Canada turned 150 years old. I don’t think I could do anything better for this year. So, if it is familiar, my apologises. If it is new, please enjoy .…

Posted in Uncategorized | 27 Comments