Category Archives: Early Education

Storytelling… and Ellis

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Jennie

Interestingly, my storytelling to children often happens in the bathroom.  While that might sound strange, it really isn’t.  It’s me, sitting on the bench with three or four children, squished in close.  It feels good.  We’re waiting for the child … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 68 Comments

Eric Carle and Kate DiCamillo

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Jennie

Getting more than what you expected is a wonderful thing.  When that ‘more’ lingers for weeks, that’s a bonus. I went to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art a few weeks ago to hear Newbery Award winning author … Continue reading →

Posted in Author interview, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, museums, picture books, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 97 Comments

Hands-On Math for Children

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Jennie

Often, in the flow of our day, there are unplanned learning opportunities.  Typically, this is when some of the best learning and the most fun happens.  Recently we were playing with Squigz, a toy with multiple sized rubber pieces of … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Math, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

Thanking a Veteran and Astronaut

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Jennie

As soon as the leaves begin to fall, I start teaching children patriotic songs.  I have my Big Book Atlas handy to look at and talk about America.  Of course the American flag hangs in my classroom. All of this … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Early Education, Giving thanks, history, Inspiration, military, patriotism, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 66 Comments

Read For The Record

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Jennie

Today is the big day.  Teachers all across the world read aloud the same book on the same day to children.  The magnificence of children all over the world hearing the words and seeing the illustrations of the same story … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Family, Giving thanks, Inspiration, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

Gloria Trick-or-Treating

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Jennie

Gloria went trick or-treating on Halloween night as a cow.  Imagine that!  She was accompanied by Asha, who dressed up as Elsa, and by Asha’s big brother who dressed up as Harry Potter. Gloria’s journal entry reads: “Asha had so … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Gloria, Halloween, Imagination, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 54 Comments

Reading Aloud – To You! Part 7, the Final Chapters

Posted on November 3, 2019 by Jennie

I am reading aloud the final two chapters of The Poet’s Dog, by Patricia MacLachlan.  Chapter twelve is 2:44 and chapter thirteen is 6:24.  I know you will love the ending.  Many surprises come into play.  Ellie comes to rescue … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, Dogs, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Leo Lionni, Particia MacLachlan, preschool, reading aloud, Teaching young children, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 54 Comments

Reading Aloud – To You! Part 6

Posted on October 29, 2019 by Jennie

My reading aloud The Poet’s Dog by Patricia MacLachlan continues with chapters ten and eleven.  Chapter ten is 5:25 and chapter eleven is 3:49. Everything is coming to a head.  The storm is over, and… well, you’ll see (and hear.)  Much happens … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Dogs, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Love, Particia MacLachlan, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

Saying Goodbye

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Jennie

We said our goodbyes to Ella the Fella.  Since Ella’s birthday is in December, children decided to sing “Happy Birthday.” Next, they wanted to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Flowers were placed alongside Ella’s marker. Miles told us, “There’s an … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Death and dying, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Quotes, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 62 Comments

Facing Death – This Afternoon

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Jennie

Patting Ella the Fella this afternoon Late every Sunday afternoon I go to school to take care of Ella the Fella, our beloved guinea pig.  He is old, and has felt boney over the past year.  Last Sunday I accidentally … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Death and dying, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 85 Comments