Category Archives: Early Education

When Gloria Was Away…

In case you were wondering where Gloria was and what she was doing during our big school move and also our holiday break; she was with a child and his family.  They sent me this email today: Hey Jennie, We … Continue reading

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, preschool | Tagged , , , , , | 58 Comments

Welcome Back, Gloria

Gloria is back in the classroom.  She has a new stool, which she loves.  She is close to the children and all the action.  She can look out of the windows when we’re on the playground.  Of course the children … Continue reading

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Gloria, Inspiration, joy, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 71 Comments

The New School Opening… Part 3

Emmett painted this picture of walking into school on the first day. Do you see the sun?  That came straight from Emmett’s heart. Yes, there was even more that happened over the first days of school.  On our science table … Continue reading

Posted in behavior, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, picture books, preschool, School, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 71 Comments

Today… the New School Opening

My previous post was ‘the night before’ opening school in our newly renovated building.  Here is what happened : First things first- we opened ‘the box’, the one children packed up with their treasures so they could be part of … Continue reading

Posted in behavior, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, preschool, reading, Singing, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 77 Comments

A Christmas Tradition – The Sticky Bun Lady

For thirty-something years, the sticky bun lady has delivered her treats to my house.  It started when her girls were preschoolers in my class.  Every Christmas Eve she would arrive, much like Santa.  She never missed a year. I was … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, preschool | Tagged , , , , | 50 Comments

Reading Aloud on Christmas Eve

I wanted to read aloud to the children on Christmas Eve.  I wanted to leave them with visions of sugar plums.  Well, I wanted to give them the gift of a story.  And that’s just what I did. Last March … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 54 Comments

My Favorite Christmas Picture Books for Children

This is a repost of my favorite Christmas books.  Every year they grow stronger, because children love them.  These are the books children and adults want to read over and over again.  That’s why they’re the best.  Please, go to … Continue reading

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 77 Comments

Giving Thanks – Miles and “The Wild Robot”

Today I finished reading aloud to Miles, “The Wild Robot.”  I was a bit choked up.  Miles and his sister Claire (also a former student) were too.  This was the best Thanksgiving, real giving that truly matters. For bloggers who … Continue reading

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, reading aloud, reading aloud, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , , , , | 78 Comments

Reading Aloud “Ox-Cart Man”

At the request of fellow bloggers, here is a video of me reading aloud the classic children’s picture book, “Ox-Cart Man.” But first, I wanted to show you a mural the children made last year that hangs as a permanent … Continue reading

Posted in America, art, books, children's books, Early Education, geography, history, Inspiration, Nature, Particia MacLachlan, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 69 Comments

November – “Ox-Cart Man”

As I drove home tonight and looked at the sky, I immediately knew it was an “Ox-Cart Man” sky, the one in November where he finally arrived back home.  Do you know “Ox-Cart Man” by Donald Hall? It is one … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, history, Particia MacLachlan, picture books, Poetry, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 75 Comments