Category Archives: Diversity

Darth Vader, Marines, and Reading Aloud

Posted on December 28, 2017 by Jennie

I watched a TED Talks with actor Adam Driver who plays Darth Vader’s son in the last two Star Wars movies.  He is one great actor!  The new Star Wars movie (saw it yesterday) is outstanding. What he does outside … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Imagination, Inspiration, military, play performances, reading, reading aloud, storytelling, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 39 Comments

The Book That Changed Thanksgiving

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Jennie

When I visit with the grandchildren, a beloved ritual is reading a story before bedtime. The musicality of words floating into the ear and going into the mind becomes an arrow that pierces the heart.  It always happens that way. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 74 Comments

Gloria and Allie

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Jennie

Everyone adores Gloria, and I do mean everyone.  After all, she is the nice one, the good friend.  She gives children unconditional love.  Do you know that Gloria has a journal?  It is well-worn from love.  When children take Gloria … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Giving, Gloria, Kindness, Love, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Gloria

Posted on October 14, 2017 by Jennie

Gloria joined the classroom this week, and oh what a homecoming it was.  I doubt Santa Claus would receive such a welcome.  After all these years I am still amazed at the difference Gloria makes and how children are drawn … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Imagination, Kindness, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 65 Comments

Rekindling American Pride

Posted on August 25, 2017 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 Diversity, Early Education, geography, history, Inspiration, patriotism, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Being A Late Bloomer

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Jennie

I was a late bloomer.  It’s a term that is mostly used for flowers today.  Way back when, children who didn’t seem to grow as quickly as their peers were often called “late bloomers”.  I struggled to read.  I sucked … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

The Big Day, Milly & The Quilt

Posted on July 1, 2017 by Jennie

I travelled with Milly, the master quilter, to the Massachusetts State House in Boston this week.  We presented my classroom’s Peace Quilt to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.  What a day!  This quilt has been two years in the making, … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Imagination, Kindness, Peace, quilting, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 71 Comments

Happy Birthday, Milly

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Jennie

We wished Milly a Happy Birthday this week, as she turns 87-years-young.         Since 2009, Milly has been connecting generations with my preschoolers.  I get to stand back and watch love and happiness ignite into hugs and smiles, from both the children … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Kindness, Peace, quilting | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

Geography, Africa, and Preschool Immersion

Posted on February 11, 2017 by Jennie

One of our most treasured and well-used classroom books is the Big Book of the World.  We love to look through the book as it shows not only physical maps of the world, continents and countries, but also animals, agriculture, … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, geography, Imagination, Learning About the World, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Maya Angelou

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Jennie

Did you know that Maya Angelou wrote a children’s book?  She did, back in 1994.  I have been reading her book to my preschoolers long before I really knew of her. I was always drawn to her quote in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Peace, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 35 Comments