Dinosaurs are not extinct. Way back in ‘95, a dinosaur was born. He was lovingly painted, stuffed with paper, and tied with string. Don’t you love the big, toothy smile?
That year was a happy year for this dinosaur, hanging by the string and being in the classroom. The children loved their dinosaurs. This one went home with Michelle. She kept her dinosaur in her bedroom for years. Many years. The family is now packing up and moving away, and this dinosaur was the last thing to come down. It was given to me! Now, the rebirth begins, as I will introduce him, or her, to a new generation of children who will get to make their very own dinosaur.
You see, dinosaurs are always present in school. They’re not extinct. Just ask the children who carefully fed them dinner and arranged a dinosaur parade.
Children’s play is very real. That’s where the mind blossoms and explodes with learning. Critical, divergent thinking can only take place when adults are not involved and children have to problem solve on their own or with their friends. Dinosaurs often set the stage for this. Play is rich and involved and often complex when dinosaurs are present.
Let me give you an example of critical, divergent thinking. When the astronauts landed on the moon, minutes and seconds beforehand things did not go well. They had to think fast and make decisions. Guess what they attributed much of this skill to? Independent play as children, building with rocks and sticks (not easy) and making it work. I wonder if they played with dinosaurs.
The best series of dinosaur books is by Jane Yolen. I highly recommend these “How Do Dinosaurs” books. “How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight” is my favorite.
I will always champion for dinosaurs. They help children play, which is #1. They inspire curiosity, which triggers a plethora of math, science, and geography. Everyone loves dinosaurs. Thank goodness they’re not extinct.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Hahahahaha I Love it!
Beautiful post☺️
Thank you!
Great to hear that your dinosaur is coming back to school, Jennie.
Dinosaurs live on close to where we live, at the very popular Dinosaur Park in Norfolk.
https://www.roarrdinosauradventure.co.uk/
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. Here’s to dinosaurs on both side of the pond!
so cute and I know it to be true!
I knew you would have evidence at school 😀 .
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thank you, Michael!
A great surprise that the dinosaur is now back in school. When I read the title of the post I thought you were writing about the English Royal Family. Lol Have a beautiful weekend, and enjoy your Sunday! xx Michael
That is so funny! It was a surprise for me, too. Happy Sunday, Michael!
Aww. On to the next generation! Dinosaurs will indeed never be extinct.
Exactly!!
I have several, and am indeed becoming one! 😊
Haha!
I’ve often wondered why children are so fascinated by dinosaurs.
It is a mystery.
🙂
They always love Dinosaurs!
Yes!!
There are few absolutes with children, but I am hard-pressed to think of many who weren’t fascinated by dinosaurs. I love your point about how play is so important for kids. A few times a year, I’d go out on the playground to see what kids were playing. It always amused me when a child would say, “What are you doing out here, Mr. Springer?”
yes we are the ones who learn from them. They are the real teachers.
Yes!
I also don’t recall a child who didn’t like dinosaurs. I love your playground story! Isn’t it delightful to sit back and watch their uninterrupted play?
One of my favorite sayings is, “We can learn a lot from kids if we’re paying attention.” Have a great week, Jennie!
Yes! I love that saying. Happy week to you, Pete.
I’m glad they thrive at your place, Jennie.
Me, too! 🙂
We desperately need to keep whimsy alive. Dinosaurs do that.
Yes, and yes!
I don’t know why, but kids are always so fascinated by dinosaurs.
They really are!
Dinosaurs rule. Kids, and big kids love them I’ll never forget taking my grandson to the dinosaur museum in Drumheller, Alberta. He was so enthralled.
Yes, they really do rule! It’s wonderful that they inspire so much creative play. I bet you had as much fun at the dinosaur museum as your grandson did.
I did!!
😀
Play is so important. I remember seeing dinosaur skeletons in the museum when I was as young as your students. I was fasinated.
That feeling is still in children today. Dinosaurs inspire some of the best creative play.
Dan, it looks like you were really hit with the storm yesterday. How did you fare? Still more heavy rain today.
We came through fine, Jennie. The storm really wound down as it made landfall. IT came through much smaller in size and with wind speeds under 40mph. We got wet, but no damage. They are still calling for heavy rain later today and tonight, but clear and hot after that.
Did yo guys get tagged by Henri?
We were the same as you. Heavy rain, but no flooding. The winds weren’t as bad as expected. All in all, we’re okay. Yes, more rain tonight and back to the 3 H’s over the next few days. Give Maddie a pat for me. 🙂
I’m glad you’re OK. Dig in for the heat.
Yup!
Thanks for the imagination. That is what’s so great about our minds.
Yes! And, thank you.
Great.
Thank you.
Children and dinosaur so awesome photo 👌🌷🙏
Thank you!
Always welcome 🌷🙏
🙂
As a kid, I poured through books on dinosaurs.
Kids today to the same thing. Aren’t you glad that hasn’t changed?
My sons loved playing with dinosaurs, Jennie.
I’m so glad! Dinosaurs are beloved.
The mixture of innocence and intelligence the children posses goes unnoticed by many but that is such a asset to any society
Yes!
I always loved stories about dinosaurs. I have a shelf of books, puzzles and dinosaurs that my grandkids love to play with and read when they are here. I even have two books that my son “wrote” about dinosaurs when he was in elementary school. I read them with my oldest grandson and he was flabbergasted, “My dad wrote those books”. It was so much fun.
I love that story!!