Monthly Archives: November 2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Jennie

Posted in Community, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving thanks, Heart, Inspiration, Kindness, Love | Tagged , , , , | 57 Comments

Writing With Children Makes a Difference

Language is the key to literacy, and literacy is the key to writing and reading.  That’s the pattern, how it develops.  So, what do I do in school to make this happen? I sing.  Singing cements words.  I sing “The … Continue reading

Posted in Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 54 Comments

Community Service in a Different Way

I live in a town, not a city.  It’s not rural, but pretty close.  40+ years ago when we moved here there were no road signs, no traffic lights, and the phone number was just the last five digits.  It … Continue reading

Posted in geography, Giving, Giving thanks, history, Inspiration, literacy, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 60 Comments

Look What Arrived!

Look what arrived today! Darlene Foster’s new Amanda book, Amanda in Ireland, The Body in the Bog. I’m so excited! Jennie

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Imagination, Inspiration, Learning About the World, literacy, reading | Tagged , , , | 57 Comments

Thanking a Veteran

Veterans Day is one thing.  Thanking a veteran is another thing.  Making it ‘real’ for children is what I did. Retired two star General, Bruce Z, was our guest at school today. Can you imagine what it was like for … Continue reading

Posted in America, American flag, Giving thanks, military, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , | 76 Comments

More on Diversity

I’m reading Katherine Applegate’s award winning book, Wishtree, to my library Read Aloud group.  The story is told by Red the tree, who is over two centuries old.  Red is the Wish Tree in the neighborhood, carrying on a long tradition … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, literacy, reading aloud | Tagged , , | 73 Comments

Gloria’s Halloween… and More

Gloria went trick-or-treating!  She was Spiderman. She was so excited!  She went with Miles, who was Optimus Prime, and his granddad who was Superman. Gloria got a piece of candy.  Mom was a little worried, but she told me, “Gloria … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 65 Comments