“Look!
Come here and look at the sky.”
Children rushed to the top of the playground.
I pointed to the sky.
There was silence, genuine awe.
Nature does that, you know.
“What is that?”
“Pink cloud beams?”
“Cloud rays of pink?”
“How did that happen?”
“It’s so beautiful!”
“Joy in looking and comprehending
is nature’s most beautiful gift.”
~Albert Einstein~
Jennie
About Jennie
I have been teaching preschool for over forty 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 was a live guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am highlighted in the seventh edition of Jim Trelease's million-copy bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
A Teacher's Reflections 
Observation of nature is the most powerful thing π
Yes, it is! π
Wonderful!
π
How special. Children see things most adults don’t even notice.
Yes, they do!
That was a beautiful moment to stop and look.
Yes, it was!
Nothing beats the combination of Nature and the wonder of a child’s mind.
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes, it’s a win-win. Best to you, Pete.
Cheers to the many joys in nature and to the people who take the time to notice.
Yes!!
Beautiful!
Thank you, Annette!
Appreciation for the beauty of Nature too – you truly are the best teacher I’ve ever known, Jennie!
Aww…π₯° Thanks, GP.
OH WOW!!! Yes keep looking at the sky for we are right now seeing some unique phenomena. Jennie, the way you teach reminds me of my friend of past …. truly unique and putting your heart into everything you do. Thank you for educating these children the way you do. There is a whole lot more than just textbooks to teaching. β€οΈ
Boy, you have that right. For young children, they need nature and discovery, movement, music, and art. And, they need to be excited and curious. Much of that happens outdoors and through reading books to them. All the academics will come.
As I stated, Jennie, you resemble my friend who passed in the 90’s. She over her lifetime touched so many children’s lives and they in return (many of them) never forgot her, sending her letters on how they were doing in life. You are just so awesome! xo
That is so nice, Amy. Thank you! π
Not only are the children in in Awe… I am too.. β€ xxx β€
I’m so glad. π₯°
How wonderful for the kids, to see that in nature and hear the awe from one of our great scientists.
It was wonderful, Jacqui. Thank goodness I called the children over to see, because those pink rays were gone a few minutes later. I keep my cellphone in my pocket when outdoors to check the time, so I was able to capture the moment.
Einstein had it right, Jennie. Mother Nature often provides us gifts to take in and admire…we just have to live in the moment and enjoy her wonders.
You hit the nail on the head, Bruce. Yes, Einstein was right (as usual.) I know you’re a sports guy, and here is my poor attempt at comparing Einstein: When you watch the best players, they are fluid and make the sport look easy. When you read Einstein’s quotes, his words are easy going and common sense. Both are the “ah ha” after decades of hard work and perseverance, and much more. It looks easy and sounds simple, but that comes after, like the icing on the cake, right?
So true, Jennie…couldn’t agree more!
π
Lovely post, Jennie. The world is so beautiful if we only open our eyes to see or our ears to hear.
You said it well. Thank you, Anneli.
Yes and kids see it becasue they have no preconcieved notions of what or how everything should be. They just are and we should let them be.
Well said, Mireya. You are right.
Awww β¦ that awed silence is a wonder – letβs genuine appreciation and understanding and imagination come to the fore! Pure magic in this photo and post! π
Well said, Annika! Many thanks.
Terrific stuff, Jennie! Nature provides us with its daily classroom of education.
Thanks, Pete. The longer I teach the more I appreciate the growing number of outdoor schools for children. Nature really is the best teacher.
Beautiful, Jennie. The children must have had 100 questions.
At least 100. Thank you, John.
π
what a beautiful. wonderful, stared experience that none of you will ever forget
Yes, indeed!
A wonder of nature is truly awe-inspiring. I wonder if the children know that the sky never looks exactly the same twice.
Yes, it is! We looked again a few minutes later and it was gone. Your thought is interesting. Because the sky is constantly changing, I don’t think children expect to see the same thing again.
π
the best
I love how you get as excited as the children β₯οΈ
Yup!
Wonderful words from, Einstein plus a beautiful sky which is never two days or less alike we live in a wonderful natural world your children are blessed to share it with you π x
Beautifully said, Carol. Nature is the best teacher. Thank you! π
That’s why I love kids. I mean if I do the teaching thing right I am learing from them.
Exactly!
Beautiful pink streaks in the sky. A fantastic poem, Jennie π
Thank you, Kamal. I’m glad you enjoyed this.
You are always welcome Jennie πβ£οΈβ£οΈ
π₯°
ππ€π
I frequently say to my kids, βWow. Look at the sky!β π
That’s wonderful.
I β appreciate the diversity in your content. It’s both informative and enjoyable.
Thank you.
Nice post
Thank you.
Art of noticing β¨
Yes!