Category Archives: Early Education

The Greatest Question

Posted on July 29, 2016 by Jennie

“Jennie, tell me all the chapter books.” That was Jackson’s request, profound and unexpected.  This is his whole wide world of reading aloud.  And, this is the greatest question. Jackson and I were on the playground this morning.  He was hot … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 35 Comments

Roots and Wings…and Thunderstorms

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Jennie

Last evening I was outdoors with my husband and our adult daughter watching the big thunderstorm rumble into our yard.  We were all enjoying the anticipation as well as the storm itself.  I asked my daughter what memories popped into … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Really Understanding Children

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Jennie

Beverly came to camp a little late. She quickly joined all the campers as we were singing camp songs, hoping no one would notice her.  She wore her signature no-smile, crossed her arms, and plunked herself down beside me. She … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

Why Do Play Performances With Children?

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Jennie

Timothy planned his own costume.  He wanted to be a seagull, and he thought a white plastic trash bag cut along the sides would be perfect.  It was.  This made Timothy soar in his performance; not only as a seagull, … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

The Boy Who Cried Tears of the Heart

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Jennie

Chapter reading is one of our treasured moments of the day at school.  I know this, and so does Jackson.  Books bring to life the imagination, the world, and the past.  The anticipation of ‘what happens next’ stirs excitement every … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 44 Comments

Singing the Books; From Francis Scott Key, to Irving Berlin, to Woody Guthrie

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Jennie

When I was in fifth grade my teacher, Miss Pinson, taught us songs. I remember her white blouse and black hair, and how she held her arms up in the air when she directed a song. She made us feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

One Picture for a Thousand Words.

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Jennie

Our final chapter reading book this year at school was Little House on the Prairie.  The last chapter that we read was ‘Fresh Water to Drink’.  Pa and his neighbor, Mr. Scott, were digging a well.  Pa was careful to lower … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Chapter Reading

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Jennie

Chapter reading is one of our treasured moments of the day.  We bring to life the imagination, the world, and the past.  The anticipation of ‘what happens next’ stirs excitement every day.  Children listen and think.  They ask questions.  Ask … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 38 Comments

Practicing Handwriting and Math…In a Chinese Restaurant

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Jennie

Our dramatic play area is now a Chinese restaurant.  We have added menus, a wok, a cash register with money from our ‘travel box’, order pads and pencils, aprons, and chopsticks. Learning takes place in many different ways.  The setting … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

How Children Really Learn

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Jennie

The classroom seemed quiet, even though rice was everywhere on the floor, and nothing resembled the set-up of activities that teachers had carefully arranged.  Yet, every child was fully engaged in important play.  I stepped back for a moment to … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 35 Comments