Category Archives: Expressing words and feelings

Milly the Quilter Story – Part 4

Posted on July 2, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 3, Milly brought in beautiful fabrics and placed them on the sketch of the Peace Quilt spread out across a big table.  Children came to her like moths to a candle, picking out just the right fabrics.  At … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Community, Expressing words and feelings, Heart, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, Peace, quilting | Tagged , , , | 35 Comments

Milly the Quilter Story – Part 2

Posted on June 25, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 1, I discovered a Peace Portal at a museum and recreated it in my classroom.  Peace became a big deal and very real to children.  When I saw quilts that were murals, I knew I had to make … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Community, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, Peace, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , | 47 Comments

Our Wish Tree at the Library

Posted on June 13, 2026 by Jennie

After reading Wishtree to my library group, I knew I had to do more.  When a really good book sticks with children, and they’re not ready to let go, it’s up to me to make something meaningful happen.  I can’t leave … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Community, Expressing words and feelings, Heart, Inspiration, Library, literacy, Teaching young children, wonder, Writing | Tagged , , , | 82 Comments

Childhood Anxiety is Real

Posted on June 1, 2026 by Jennie

Out of the blue a former Aqua Roomer popped in to visit.  It was Lizzie. Lizzie visiting in 2018 My goodness, it was so good to see her.  Lizzie is now Hadrian, a they, but with the same smile and … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Love, School, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 61 Comments

Not All Days Are Good Days

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Jennie

Today was a tough day.  Nothing seemed to go right.  If you know the classic book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, you know what I mean. It started with drop-offs.  Children who never cry cried.  For … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Mindfulness, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , | 50 Comments

Talking Death With Children

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Jennie

Death is the dreaded “D” word when talking with children, but it doesn’t have to be.  It can be an open door to a much needed conversation.  Here’s what happened at school: Our Memory Garden at school is visited by … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Death and dying, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 63 Comments

Wishtree, by Kathrine Applegate – Then and Now

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Jennie

When I visit with the grandchildren, a beloved ritual is reading a story before bedtime. The musicality of words floating into the ear and going into the mind becomes an arrow that pierces the heart.  It always happens that way. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, Community, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Heart, Imagination, Inspiration, Library, literacy, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , | 85 Comments

Talking With Owen, the High School Student

Posted on April 28, 2026 by Jennie

I can’t get the conversation out of my mind. Owen was one of the high school students who interviewed our kindergarteners and wrote their stories, turning them into a book. Today I got a lovely card signed by the students. … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, School, storytelling, teaching | Tagged , , | 60 Comments

Storytelling To High Schoolers – Part 2

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Jennie

The work was done.  Well, almost.  High schoolers wrote their stories, turned it into a book, and I returned to listen to them read their stories.  After all, they would be reading the story they wrote about the kindergartner they … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Community, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture stories, reading aloud, School, storytelling, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , | 51 Comments

A Play Performance – Unexpected Surprise

Posted on March 22, 2026 by Jennie

Our local elementary school has a musical play production every spring.  It’s really good, and I always go because I know I’ll see past students.  For me it is wonderful to see the children I remember, flourishing and having fun.  … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Community, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, play performances, Student alumni, teaching, The Arts | Tagged , , | 100 Comments