Gloria, Elephant & Piggie, and the Leprechaun

Saint Patrick’s Day in the classroom

We tried SO hard to catch that leprechaun.  It took three days to make a trap.  First we painted a box green, then we made rainbow ladders out of popsicle sticks and tunnels out of toilet paper tubes.  Finally, we made big rainbows with paper plates and daub markers.

The trap was set!

But… that leprechaun had other ideas.  He spilled green everywhere, left green balloons and rainbow streamers, and gold coins.  He hung Elephant & Piggie from the ceiling!

Apparently Gloria had a grand time playing with the leprechaun.  She took apart the new stuffed chair and did gymnastics.  What a party in the classroom last night!

I hope you enjoy Saint Patrick’s Day as much as Gloria did.

Jennie

About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over thirty years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about. I am highlighted in the the new edition of Jim Trelease's bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at both the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, and the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital.
This entry was posted in behavior, Gloria, Imagination, preschool, Teaching young children and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

56 Responses to Gloria, Elephant & Piggie, and the Leprechaun

  1. Dan Antion says:

    A grand time indeed!

  2. barbtaub says:

    Epic party! (I particularly love the little green footprints.)

    • Jennie says:

      Oh, yes. Lucky the leprechaun came again when we were on a scavenger hunt for gold coins with alphabet letters. The room was, well, far more disheveled than the first time. Only Gloria smiled. Hmmm…

  3. I think if you asked Elephant & Piggie if they had a good time at that party, they’d probably say yes as well!

  4. Ally Bean says:

    Delightful. I’m laughing out loud. Happy St. Patrick’s Day

  5. CarolCooks2 says:

    Such fun…Happy St. Patricks day boys and girls (and) teacher x

  6. Prior... says:

    So much fun ☘️☘️☘️

  7. Don Ostertag says:

    Great way to celebrate the day.

  8. What wonderful whimsical fun, Jennie! Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Hugs.

  9. Darlene says:

    What a fun project, trying to catch a leprechaun! I bet the children were delighted when they saw there had been a party during the night.

  10. beetleypete says:

    I have never celebrated SPD, as I have zero Irish connections. But living in London for 60 years, I could never escape the Irish community. Well done with Gloria, Jennie.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    • Jennie says:

      I never celebrated until moving outside of Boston- as Irish as it gets. Gloria smiled all day. The kids couldn’t have been more excited. Best to you, Pete.

  11. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Jennie. I think Gloria could use a nap after last night. ☘️

  12. beth says:

    I love that Gloria is a part of all the fun, too!☘️

  13. I hope the children remember all of this. I certainly would. This made me happy just reading it. If Gloria couldn’t catch the Leprechaun, no one can. Happy St. Patrick’s day, Jennie.

  14. cindy knoke says:

    I remember my kids loving this is kindergarden. Happy St. Paddy’s Day Jennie.

  15. Carla says:

    I’m sure the kids reactions were priceless. Great day and lots of fun for all, except maybe you cleaning up, Jennie.

  16. quiall says:

    I have always wondered what happens after lights out…

  17. Too bad you didn’t catch the Leprechaun. But what fun trying! And a bit of St. Paddy’s mischief afoot! Sounds like great fun, Jennie.

  18. LOL! It sure looks like they had a great time. Maybe next year the children will catch him!! Hopefully, Gloria got to sleep in a bit the morning after. 💚💚💚💚💚🤣

  19. Jennie a nice and lovely post. So nice to see children painting what they like.

  20. So much fun! And memorable for everyone in your classroom – and now, even for us, your readers. My daughter used to do this for her 3 kids (until they turned 10 and older, then not enough belief in the leprechaun). 😦 But my daughter went one step further when she built the trap with her kids, and they saw the mischief the next day – green water in the toilet. I had to laugh at that….

  21. Opher says:

    It sounds as if he was very naughty! I hope Gloria didn’t join in hanging poor piggie and elephant from the ceiling!

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