Category Archives: Early Education

Happy Valentine’s Day, Gloria

Happy Valentine’s Day, Gloria. Love, your Aqua Room friends.

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Love, preschool, young children | Tagged , , , | 39 Comments

Charli Mills, Bobo, and “The Poet’s Dog”

Charli Mills over at Carrot Ranch Literary Community posted her new flash fiction challenge.  She always starts with an incredible prologue, a personal writing that paints a deeper picture of the challenge.  I love what she writes. Charli makes me … Continue reading

Posted in behavior, books, children's books, Death and dying, Dogs, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Particia MacLachlan, self esteem, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 89 Comments

Children’s Book Trilogy – Highly Recommended

At long last, the third book in this trilogy, written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Scott Magoon, was published this week. The first book is Spoon, published in 2009.  I was immediately captivated by the clever story of a … Continue reading

Posted in Author interview, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 73 Comments

“You”

Sophia stopped by school to say hello.  It’s always a treat to see children I have taught.  I made a fuss, told her how big and grown up and beautiful she was. Making a fuss is my favorite thing to … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, preschool, Quotes, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 77 Comments

The Hundred Little Things

I have a handwritten list of posts I want to write, things that are important.  There is one that has been screaming at me for a long time, with yellow highlighter and a post-it note: “The Hundred Little Things.”  It … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, preschool, reading aloud, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 109 Comments

My Favorite Bear Books, Part 2

In Part 1 yesterday, I talked about half of these wonderful bear books.  Here is the second half: Blueberries For Sal, by Robert McCloskey The year was 1948.  Sal and her mother go blueberry picking.  On the other side of … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 62 Comments

My Favorite Bear Books, Part 1

Winter is here, and it is time to feel cozy, just like bears.  I love bears and bear stories. Children do too.  While stories about animals are always popular, bear stories are favorites, year after year. Here are my favorite … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

A Walk Down Memory Lane – Photos Tell the Stories

I have been plugging away at deleting photos from my media library, because I am close to using up my available space.  I know, it’s only a photo, but as I scroll through the photos, every one has been a … Continue reading

Posted in American flag, Author interview, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, history, Inspiration, military, Nature, picture books, play performances, preschool, quilting, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 103 Comments

A Free ‘Oral Vaccine’ for Literacy

Yes, there really is a free oral vaccine for literacy.  It is reading aloud.  No, not reading.  Reading aloud.  Because, in order to become a reader (and a lifelong reader) you have to hear the words – first – over … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 67 Comments

“Bob” and Book Bears

My Book Bears reading group at the library meets every month.  We read a book, and have a discussion about the book the following month.  If that was the only thing that happened at Book Bears, it would be dreadful.  … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , | 56 Comments