Category Archives: America

The Star-Spangled Banner

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Jennie

This is a repost, one of my favorite songs and books, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Happy Birthday, America. Bringing our National Anthem to Life Few books have the power to move young students and make a difference; this one does. Whenever … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Book Review, children's books, Early Education, history, Inspiration, patriotism, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

America – The True Meaning in a Children’s Book

Posted on July 2, 2019 by Jennie

The perfect book.  Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus captures the heart of America.  The stunning illustrations by Kadir Nelson make the simple text explode with meaning.  It is history: White Rows.  White Rows When I turned to this page, … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Book Review, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, history, Inspiration, patriotism, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 50 Comments

This Year’s Favorite Picture Books

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Jennie

Every year children vote on their favorite chapter reading book.  Charlotte’s Web is the clear winner most years.  This year we voted on our favorite picture books as well.  That was a big challenge for children as we read at … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 74 Comments

D-Day and Young Childen

Posted on June 6, 2019 by Jennie

I am in awe of the soldiers and sailors who are back in Normandy today, 75 years later.  I always bring patriotism into my class, and a certain page in a picture book that I read all the time helps … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , | 54 Comments

Small Town America

Posted on May 27, 2019 by Jennie

Driving the back roads of New Hampshire today. Every town had pristine flags flying. The flags seemed proud, whether they were on a utility pole, or a home, or planted in the ground. Small towns and their many flags give … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Giving thanks, military, patriotism | Tagged , , , , , | 33 Comments

Children and Memorial Day

Posted on May 26, 2019 by Jennie

Patriotism is a constant thread in my classroom, from the American flag to singing songs.   Here are the children “flying to the red white and blue”: These moments happen all the time.  They’re spontaneous and driven by the children. … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Early Education, Giving thanks, patriotism, preschool, Singing, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 66 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 4

Posted on May 19, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 3, we made a giant sketch for the quilt based on what the children felt were important parts of the song and the book, “This Land is Your Land.”  Woody’s guitar, the church from the ‘sad page’, landmarks … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Early Education, history, Imagination, Inspiration, music, patriotism, quilting, Singing, Teaching young children, The Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 72 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 2

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 1, children embraced the song “This Land is Your Land” as their own.  They sang the song every day, multiple times a day.  By the time winter arrived, they had ‘taken over’, and constantly used the book This Land … Continue reading →

Posted in America, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, music, patriotism, Peace, picture books, quilting, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 59 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 1

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Jennie

And to my surprise, the children have driven the making of yet another quilt. Over the past ten years, my preschool class has designed quilts.  Each one materialized because of something the children were passionate about.  When they couldn’t get … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, geography, history, patriotism, picture books, preschool, quilting, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 68 Comments