Category Archives: Expressing words and feelings

The Kelly Clarkson Show – And Me

Everything people say is true.  Kelly Clarkson is genuine.  She’s as nice as the day is long.  She is all about others (not herself), and so much fun. I know.  I am on her show tomorrow- in person with Kelly. … Continue reading

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, School | Tagged , , , , , | 142 Comments

1-800-Viola Swamp

Over the past few days, many bloggers have been reading an older post, one of my favorites.  Every day in the classroom is not always a good day.  Humor to the rescue.  I hope you enjoy reading this post as … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 55 Comments

The Most Important Things in Life

Bottom line = times have changed, but children have not.  What they need and want is the same as it has always been.  Academics are one thing, but in order to get there, children have to be grounded in the … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, self esteem, teaching, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 115 Comments

Starting the School Year Reading Charlotte’s Web

Every year I start chapter reading with my preschool class on ‘day one’.  And, the first book I read is Charlotte’s Web.  We have barely had three weeks of school and children are totally hooked.  They adore Wilbur and laugh at … Continue reading

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Learning About the World, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 72 Comments

9/11 and Kindness Peace and Love Day at School

Honoring 9/11 at school is Kindness, Peace, and Love Day.  It has been twenty years since that tragic day in September, and for children it is a day to remember the heroes.  How do we help young children honor the … Continue reading

Posted in America, American flag, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, music, Peace | Tagged , , , | 64 Comments

The Start of a New Year at School – Part 2

In Part 1, I talked about welcoming children to a new year at school. Part 2 This is the really important piece – The Teacher.  What a teacher brings to children and the classroom makes all the difference in the world.  … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, joy, School, teaching, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 85 Comments

Dinosaurs Are Not Extinct

Dinosaurs are not extinct.  Way back in ‘95, a dinosaur was born.  He was lovingly painted, stuffed with paper, and tied with string.  Don’t you love the big, toothy smile? That year was a happy year for this dinosaur, hanging … Continue reading

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 57 Comments

An Eric Carle Trilogy

Surely, The Very Hungry Caterpillar was here.   Words to live by.   The sun – Eric Carle’s most immortalized art. Jennie

Posted in art, children's books, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Nature, Quotes, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 61 Comments

Wordless – at the Eric Carle Museum

The new exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is: Speechless: The Art of Wordless Picture Books Wordless books?  How can that be?  How can you read a wordless book to a child?  I’ll tell you just … Continue reading

Posted in art, Author interview, Book Review, children's books, David Wiesner, Early Education, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 52 Comments

Milly’s Epilogue

This card was passed out at the memorial service. It’s an odd thing to say that a eulogy was inspirational.  Yet for Milly, how could it be anything less?  And, it’s unusual to laugh out loud at the words the … Continue reading

Posted in Death and dying, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, quilting | Tagged , | 74 Comments