Category Archives: art

Thank You Letters!

Today we got mail!  Our pen-pals in Michigan sent us a gigantic thank you letter.  What a treat!  Thank you Beth at I didn’t have my glasses on…. Just look at all that beautiful drawing and hard work.  It is … Continue reading

Posted in art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 84 Comments

The Art Show – the Very Beginning

I told this story long ago, and it needs to be told again, with photos.  There are moments in teaching that make a big difference for the student and also for the the teacher.  This is one I will never … Continue reading

Posted in art, Inspiration, museums, Peace, preschool, quilting, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , | 54 Comments

The Annual Art Show

Every April my preschool class has an Art Show on display for the community at the post office.  Every year I say, “This is the best!”  And it always is, year after year.  Why?  Because children naturally love art.  When … Continue reading

Posted in art, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, music, The Arts, young children | Tagged , , , | 102 Comments

Make Way For Ducklings – Happy Easter

This is a favorite post from Easter many years ago. Photo courtesy Universal Hub Robert McCloskey’s classic story, Make Way for Ducklings, is immortalized in bronze statues in the Public Garden on Boston Common.  Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings, Jack, … Continue reading

Posted in art, children's books, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 57 Comments

Hector Fox at the Eric Carle Museum, and More

Few museums give patrons an up-close, personal experience.  The Eric Carle Museum in Massachusetts is a master at doing just that.  Their three rotating exhibits are grounded in the best art of illustrators, and patrons can be inches away from … Continue reading

Posted in art, Book Review, children's books, Diversity, Dogs, literacy, museums, picture books, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 70 Comments

Pen Pal Valentines

Valentines for our pen pals who live far away in England and Michigan, love and friendship made by hand. Jennie

Posted in art, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, Writing | Tagged , , | 37 Comments

Grandma Moses

THEGUARDIAN.COM Queen of Christmas: the wondrous snowy landscapes that made Grandma Moses as big as Jackson Pollock. As soon as I saw this article, shared by the Bennington Museum in Bennington, VT, I knew I needed to tell her story, … Continue reading

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, quilting, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , | 72 Comments

Rainbows

 “Jennie!  Come quick!  There’s a rainbow in the bathroom.” What a surprise. Everyone clamored into the bathroom for a look, to put their hands onto the rainbow. The rainbow miraculously appeared on little hands. Sometimes wonder needs no words. The … Continue reading

Posted in art, Inspiration, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 67 Comments

Never Underestimate Children’s Creativity

I am still learning.  After 39 years of teaching preschool, I still learn from children.  Thank goodness!  Today was one of those days, or I should say one of those ‘moments’. It happened like this… We’re learning about woodland animals.  … Continue reading

Posted in art, Diversity, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 71 Comments

Summer at the Eric Carle Museum

My summer venture at the Eric Carle Museum was nothing short of wonderful.  I have much to tell you! The Very Hungry Caterpillar Mobile The museum is celebrating 20 years.  The main exhibit is Celebrating Collage.  Of course!  Eric Carle’s … Continue reading

Posted in art, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, picture books, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , | 86 Comments