Monthly Archives: October 2025

Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Jennie

Halloween is exciting for children.  At school we had a ‘Day in the Dark’, using flashlights and glow sticks for light.  Playing with black playdoh on shiny foil, painting with neon paint and using a black light, and playing with … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Halloween, Imagination, Inspiration, jack-o-lanterns, picture books, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 61 Comments

My Eric Carle Museum Visit

Posted on October 27, 2025 by Jennie

I love this picture! I visited the Eric Carle Museum, and as always, was surprised and delighted by what I saw and what I learned. Author and illustrator Astrid Sheckels read aloud her new book, Flora and the Jazzers, to … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Eric Carle, Eric Carle Museum, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, picture books, reading aloud, Singing, The Arts, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 76 Comments

My Name is Red

Posted on October 24, 2025 by Jennie

Red is my favorite color. Can you tell? Last month I was green. Next month I’ll be brown. But now I’m red, and I’m in my glory. The sun and the wind like to play with me. Children want to … Continue reading →

Posted in Giving, Imagination, Inspiration, joy, Nature, Poetry, young children | Tagged , , , , | 70 Comments

When a Chapter Book Ends…

Posted on October 20, 2025 by Jennie

I finished reading reading aloud Charlotte’s Web this week, with mixed emotions.  I have a dramatic scene (understatement) I do at the ending of a chapter book.  I get upset and tell my wonderful fellow teacher: “Heidi, I don’t like this.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, Death and dying, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 79 Comments

A Magical Evening at School

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Jennie

Tonight was a magical evening.  Pizza dinner at school is pretty cool; yet carving a pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern with your family is a memory builder.  We so enjoyed all the activity and excitement with each family.  As the sun … Continue reading →

Posted in Halloween, Imagination, Inspiration, jack-o-lanterns, Nature, Singing, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , | 64 Comments

Banned Children’s Books

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Jennie

Thank you, Carla, at Carla Loves To Read for posting this.  Read on to see what classic children’s books were banned.  My addition to banned children’s books is Charlotte’s Web. Saturday Morning for Kids: Banned Books Addition This meme was started … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Diversity, Inspiration, Learning About the World, Library, literacy | Tagged , , , , | 65 Comments

Gloria’s Wonderful Debut

Posted on October 12, 2025 by Jennie

Welcome, Gloria!  Children loved her from Day One.  After all these years, I often think about the wonder of her magic, connecting with children.  They want to be her friend.  They want to take care of her.  Here she is … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Family, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 56 Comments

Mac, Then and Now

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Jennie

If you think reading aloud doesn’t make a difference, think again! Mac then Mac now His parents recently wrote to me: “We commented before bed that Angus is probably ready for chapter books and Mac jumped up for the opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 79 Comments

The Last Hurrah, and Blooming

Posted on October 1, 2025 by Jennie

Summer is over. Flowers have finished blooming, yet one brave, red, bloom burst forth with grandeur that rivaled nature. Flowers are like children, my children at school. They bloom at different times. Some are quiet, some are vibrant. Yet, when … Continue reading →

Posted in Heart, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , | 48 Comments