Category Archives: Early Education

Music Keeps Inspiring Art

Posted on April 1, 2017 by Jennie

Artists just… know.  So do children.  They both tell the world their passion through painting.  When music becomes part of creating art, magic happens. “Art should make you feel, like music.”  -Wassily Kandinsky- Kandinsky is a favorite artist with the children.  They … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Imagination, music, Quotes, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 62 Comments

What Music Does For Art

Posted on March 26, 2017 by Jennie

“Where Words Fail, Music Speaks” – Hans Christian Anderson- Every year I am surprised when I bring to school my old record player, which looks much like a suitcase.  I simply but it down on the floor in front of … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, music, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 79 Comments

Thank You, Dr. Charles French

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Jennie

I posted on my blog yesterday, “A Gift of Charlotte’s Web.”  As I scrolled down to print a hard copy (yes, I have a hard copy of every blog post- it’s wonderful), I looked at the three suggested readings of similar … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 44 Comments

A Gift of Charlotte’s Web

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Jennie

When Sydney’s mother asked me if she could get every child in the class a copy of Charlotte’s Web, I was speechless. “Scholastic has the book for a dollar this month.  It’s really not much”, she said. Not much?  Are you … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , | 49 Comments

The Art Show Begins

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Jennie

Next week we begin in earnest to prepare for our annual Art Show for the entire community. In past years children have painted major works of art.  I am never surprised when they love a piece of art.  I am … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Imagination, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Why Do Play Performances?

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Jennie

Paying attention to children and what they like is the key to their greatest learning experiences.  It’s called emergent curriculum, and this is much like how it happens: “Imagine being on a quest with a group of children, walking through … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, play performances, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 24 Comments

Thank You, Sergeant Curran, Our Pen-Pal

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Jennie

“Thank you.”  Those are the most fundamental words, next to “please”, that shape children’s character.  It is far more than manners; saying the words is one thing, doing the words is another. My class is thanking Sergeant Curran, stationed in Afghanistan.  We’re doing … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Kindness, Learning About the World, patriotism, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 48 Comments

Jim Trelease Quote, Reading and Writing, and a Journey of Teaching

Posted on March 5, 2017 by Jennie

A great quote can pack as much power as a good book.  When both come together in one package, then you have it all.  That’s Jim Trelease.  That’s The Read-Aloud Handbook. “People would stand in line for days and pay … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Jennie

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go,” -Dr. Seuss- Today Dr. Seuss would have been one-hundred-and-thirteen years old. His books continue to be popular with children. … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 37 Comments

When a Fairy Tale is Not Enough

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Jennie

If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales.  If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales. -Albert Einstein- Fairy Tales are the root of storytelling.  They are also the most popular … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, picture books, reading, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 44 Comments