Category Archives: Early Education

Happy Birthday, Gloria!

Posted on April 30, 2023 by Jennie

After all these years, Gloria had a real Birthday Party. Children were excited to plan the event. They were giving, and children love to give. They decorated a big Birthday Party invitation. The invitation went to Gloria’s old friend, Rosie, … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 66 Comments

Dan (the Tool Man) Antion Visits the Aqua Room

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Jennie

Fellow blogger Dan Antion at No Facilities visited my classroom.  YES!  Meeting a favorite blogger is a big deal.  We connected like we’ve been friends for years. Well, yes we have.  Lucky me. Dan is the guy with tools who … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Gloria, Inspiration, preschool, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , | 149 Comments

Just Another Day in the Classroom… Oh, Boy!

Posted on April 6, 2023 by Jennie

photo from Pixabay  I often write about the great moments in the classroom, when a spark ignites and learning explodes, or when goodness, laughter, and discovery happen. Every day is not like that.  Today was was one of those ‘not … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, music, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 64 Comments

The Art of Disguise, “Swimmy” and Snow Geese

Posted on April 3, 2023 by Jennie

Cindy Knoke’s photography cindyknoke.com is nothing short of stunning.  From birds to wildlife to nature, she captures it all in breathtaking detail.  When I saw her recent photo of snow geese flying from a predator, I nearly jumped out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, Leo Lionni, literacy, Nature, picture stories, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , | 53 Comments

Early Childhood Literacy & Purple Prose

Posted on March 26, 2023 by Jennie

Originally posted on Elizabeth Gauffreau:
Image: greenmountainwriting.com *Shaggy Dog Story Alert* A Confession I must confess that I have a fondness for purple prose–although not, of course, in contemporary writing. Perish the thought! Writing of the florid persuasion must stay…

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, literacy | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Goodnight Moon – It’s a ‘Rap’

Posted on February 23, 2023 by Jennie

Before children learn to read, first they must hear the words.  It’s developmental, like learning to crawl before learning to walk.  The auditory piece, including singing, hits both the brain and the soul in learning.  In my preschool class, reading … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, music, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 50 Comments

Kelly the Reader – Her Story

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Jennie

Kelly has learned to read.  She is so proud!  Most children are happy to just keep reading, once they have crossed that threshold.  Not Kelly.  She wanted to show her skills to the world, to read aloud on YouTube, but … Continue reading →

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, reading, reading aloud, wonder | Tagged , , | 76 Comments

E.B. White

Posted on January 27, 2023 by Jennie

E.B. White’s thoughts always go through me like a Fourth of July sparkler.  He has a way with words, and he ‘knows’.  His wisdom is as remarkable as his writing.  He was the observer, the one who paid attention and … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 74 Comments

A Story of Bravery – The Piano, and the Pianist, and Me

Posted on January 12, 2023 by Jennie

The scene: It’s the holiday party for teachers and staff.  We’re at the lovely home of a fellow teacher, who is an accomplished pianist.  Actually, that’s an understatement. Everyone is in the kitchen, eating and laughing.  The big family room … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 69 Comments

Remembering My Mentor and Hero, Jim Trelease

Posted on January 5, 2023 by Jennie

Jim Trelease visiting my classroom. Jim Trelease, the man who put reading-aloud on the map as #1 for children, has died. I had his million copy bestseller book since my kids were little. When I heard him speak at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, Early Education, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, literacy, Quotes, reading aloud | Tagged , , , | 119 Comments