Category Archives: Expressing words and feelings

‘Friday Night Lights’ With My Preschooler

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Jennie

Thank you, Wesley.  I was thrilled to come to your high school football game. Children are precious.  I’m the lucky one when they come into my class.  And when they leave, they never really leave, because they are a part … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, preschool, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

The Letter, With Love

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Jennie

            Thank you for the lovely letter, Rowan.  Seeing your smiling face and getting a great big hug was the best.  You were proud and confident, eager to show me your letter.  I miss you, … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, Student alumni, Writing, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 65 Comments

Language, Literacy, and Storytelling – Part 4

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Jennie

In Part 3, I shared proof of the powerful and positive effects of storytelling, through the story of Cuban cigars and their high quality – thanks to la lectura.  I am also happy to report that the 12th grade English teacher from … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 52 Comments

Meeting A Favorite Author, Kate DiCamillo

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Jennie

If I taught third grade, I’d be reading aloud to children Because of Winn-Dixie.  If I taught fourth grade, I’d be reading aloud The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.  If I taught fifth grade I’d be reading aloud Flora and Ulysses.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Author interview, Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 52 Comments

Evening Sky

Posted on September 30, 2018 by Jennie

Thank you, Mother Nature. Your evening sky is glorious. Tomorrow I will show the children in my class. We will count your colors and talk about the sky. I wonder what the questions and stories will be. Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Imagination, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 35 Comments

Language, Literacy, and Storytelling – Part 1

Posted on September 29, 2018 by Jennie

As a teacher, I want to grow readers.  I want to help children develop a sense of understanding.  I want children to become curious, and eager to discover.  I learned early on that in order to do this, it all … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, geography, Imagination, Jim Trelease, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

A New Year of Reading Charlotte’s Web

Posted on September 23, 2018 by Jennie

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 Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Learning About the World, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

9/11 – Kindness Peace and Love Day

Posted on September 11, 2018 by Jennie

9/11 at school is Kindness, Peace, and Love Day.  How do we help young children honor the brave people on 9/11?  By remembering and celebrating how people were united in brotherhood and came together to help each other.  We talk … Continue reading →

Posted in American flag, books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, Peace, preschool, Singing, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 39 Comments

Amber Waves of Grain

Posted on September 3, 2018 by Jennie

My view every evening is this: As the sun goes in and out, and the breeze flows across the open grass, I can only think of “amber waves of grain.”  I see “spacious skies” every evening.  And some evenings I … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, music, Nature, Singing | Tagged , , , , | 39 Comments

The Autoharp

Posted on September 2, 2018 by Jennie

I had just met the children.  The classroom was overflowing with eager parents and not-so-eager children.  New + big + different = scary. For fifteen minutes we looked at each other, me smiling and children with big worried eyes.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, music, preschool, Singing, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 69 Comments