After Halloween and trick-or-treat, children need to reminisce. Of course they do! They write picture stories about their adventures on Halloween night. We talk about costumes and candy. Remembering the good times is important.
When a child talked about being Minnie Mouse for Halloween, I remembered that was Gloria’s first ever Halloween, going trick-or-treating in 2010. She was dressed as Minnie Mouse!
We pulled out Gloria’s journals and found the photo.
Children were pressed against me. Everyone wanted to see.
“She really is Minnie Mouse.”
“She’s riding a bike, too.”
I said, “Gloria has had other Halloween adventures. She has been trick-or-treating many times. Let’s find her pictures.” We went through her journals; she has been trick-or-treating seven times. Seven!
Gloria is a dragon. Can’t you tell how happy she is?
Both girls were in my class. The are now in high school.
Mom tells me she remembers this like it was yesterday.
I do, too.
Lizzie had the best time with Gloria.
What a big smile!
Gloria is a giant pink bunny!
For those of you who remember my reading aloud
to the boy with the head injury,
this is his big sister.
The photo is 2014.
Gloria is Nemo.
Look at those smiles!
Gloria is a cow. Just look at that happy face!
Both Captain America and the ladybug were in my class.
In Gloria’s journal the child writes,
“She got nervous about all the costumes.
She didn’t want to dress up.
She was super brave in the dark.
She loved me and my Robin costume.”
Gloria has a way with children. She has always been the best friend, ever. She shines on Halloween. Well, she shines all the time. Gloria, you have been the best through the years. Here’s to many more years to come.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
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oh, I love this look back
Thank you, Beth. I knew you would love the memories. 😊
A very great advice, Jennie! Remembering the positive things is so important. Gloria as a cow is priceless. Lol Thanks for sharing another tip, and have a nice rest of the week! xx Michael
Yes, we need to remember the positives! I’m so glad you liked the cow. My favorite was the dragon. 🙂
Oh yes, Jennie! Honestly it was difficult to decide whats better, the cow ore the dragon. Gloria itself is so wonderful! xx Michael
All the smiles!!
😀
Great Gloria memories, Jennie. 💖
Thank you, Norah. It was so much fun to go through her journals to find her trick-or-treating adventures. The children loved it!
I can imagine. 💖
💕
A wonderful combination of looking back at memories and a teaching tip of tapping into a child’s energy.
Thank you, Frank!
Gloria sure knows how to make kids happy, just like you! I love her costumes and the smiles holding her. 🧡
She does! And, thank you for your kind words. The dragon costume was my favorite, but all are terrific.
You’re so welcome! They really all are wonderful!
Gloria certainly wore her costumes well! I’m imaging the reactions of the person handing out treats at each house seeing Gloria.
I’m guessing they just assumed she was a witch…sigh! When the parent (Minnie Mouse year) brought Gloria back to school the next day, she was frustrated. She told me people kept asking about the witch, and she kept telling them she wasn’t a witch. This was not casual; she was mad that people didn’t understand. That’s when I know Gloria was the best thing ever.
I’m surprised. She wasn’t wearing a witch costume.
Gloria you rocks Halloween. This is sweet and inspiring.
Thank you.
How wonderful that you keep a journal of Gloria and all her special moments! I love this idea and only you would think of it. 🙂 So fun to look back on all those special adventures.
I hadn’t been through the journals with children since Covid. It was so much fun! Now, I have to read the journals to the children. There is far more than trick-or-treating.
Gloria is the thread that connects all your students throughout the years. What a wonderful idea!
She is, indeed! Thank you, Pam.
how wonderful to have all those journals so that you ca go back and reminisce. I am sure your children loved looking at Gloria in her various outfits. Great song as well..
Thank goodness I kept the journals! They are treasures, and children keep loving all the stories, more than a decade later. I love the song, too. 🥰
treasures, indeed…
A lovely review of Gloria´s Halloween adventures. I love that Kenny Rogers song. Thanks.
I’m so glad you enjoyed her Halloween adventures. That song was just right, and I love it, too. Thank you, Darlene. 🙂
Fabulous memories of Gloria. I have to say I think she looks great as a cow! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
It seems that the cow costume is the favorite. Pete, I hadn’t gone through her journals with children since before Covid. It was a treat for everyone.
What a delightful walk down memory lane with Gloria’s past Halloween’s!! I have a big smile too. I am looking forward to next year’s Halloween costume!
It was definitely a walk down memory lane. Searching for her trick-or-treating photos with the children was wonderful for everyone. Thank you, Deborah!
A lovely story. Jennie. All the beautiful memories.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, John. Thank you.
Such great memories, Jennie. Of course kids want to share and remember. I love that Gloria has a journal/scrapbook.
Thank you, Carla. I think the fact that Gloria has many memories (thank goodness I have kept her journals) gives today’s children even more reasons to fall in love with her.
I just love this 🥰
Thank you, Ritu! I wish you had been a fly on the wall as we went through the journals with children to find Gloria’s trick-or-treating. I now know I need to read the journals to the children, as there is so much more there.
They will love that!
🥰
So adorable, Jennie. I love all the photos of Gloria dressed up with the children. What a riot. 🙂
I’m sure it was fun for them and you to look back. The journal that travels with Gloria is the best idea. Making writing fun should always be the goal. Keep making memories, Jennie and Gloria!
Yes, that is the goal! Fun and writing and memories.
Jennie, thank you for this!
A fine ‘history’ of Gloria’s Halloween Adventures with Children! I’ll bet she shared all her goodies with trick or treaters from the neighborhood, too!
I bet she did! I’m glad you enjoyed her adventures, Laura. They are treasures.
Just when I think I have heard everything… Every year children’s families make a photo collage of their family for children to keep at school. A piece of home at school is a good thing.
A child asked, “Where is Gloria’s Family?” Wow! So my co-teacher and I are making one for Gloria. Stay tuned!
“Where is Gloria’s Family?’ crosses all ages, decades, aw heck let’s just call it “crosses all demographics”!!!!!
Yay Gloria.
Enjoyed your trip down memory lane, Jennie! Thanks for sharing those and “Through the Years” too… ❤ xo
Thank you, Bette! 🥰
So many wonderful memories. Well done, Jennie!!
Thank you, Mike!
How do you decide who gets to dress Gloria for Halloween. Is it kind of like who gets to take home the gerbil for the weekend?
Yes. The child who takes her home decides. It’s always a wonderful surprise.
So many great memories. I hope the children enjoyed your sharing them (I know I did).
Thanks, Dan. The children loved the photos! I’m glad you did, too.
HI Jennie, it is lovely to see Gloria enjoying Halloween over the years.
Thank you, Robbie. It had been a while since we went through her journals. What a treat! I’m glad you enjoyed her photos.
Perfect song choice Jennie. And beautiful to see a new class of kiddies enjoying Gloria ❤
I knew you would get it on the song choice, Debby. Here we go again with a new class loving Gloria!
Absolutely! ❤
😀
Aww love seeing pics of your students 😍 I have the sweetest pic of Charlotte of her daddy’s shoulder wearing that monkey costume… brings back such fond memories of when she was a baby❤️❤️😭
That monkey costume photo will be a real treasure down the road. Our grandchildren love seeing photos of their parents on Halloween. Just you wait! 😀