Category Archives: Expressing words and feelings

How Not to Become a Troubled School Shooter

Make Friends Be Kind Share Play Read Books, Together Laugh Know That Crying Lets The Hurt Come Out Tell Stories, Real and Make Believe Tell your Mom When You Feel Angry Say Please and Thank You Ask For Help Accept … Continue reading

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

From “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” to Dr. Seuss

This week began with National Fairy Tale Day and ended with Dr. Seuss’s birthday.  I was in my glory.  So were the children. We voted on our favorite fairy tale.  The Three Billy Goats Gruff won, hands-down.  This was a … Continue reading

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 69 Comments

The Power of “Yet”

“Yet” has quickly become one of our favorite words this year.  It’s the most powerful word in my classroom.  As children learn and grow, it is a constant process of trying, over and over again.  Saying “Practice makes perfect” can … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, music, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

Love Note

“Dear Jennie, I can’t wait to see you.  But I don’t see you much.  So I am so happy to see you and I will see you the rest of the day.  Jennie I love you so much.” I love … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Love, Student alumni, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 67 Comments

Then and Now

I was invited to a high school hockey game by one of my former preschoolers.  Lucky me, and what a special treat.  She’s on the team.  It turns out that the hockey team has many more of my preschoolers. Look … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, history, Kindness, Love, self esteem, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 48 Comments

A Play Performance

A play performance with preschoolers?  Where children pick parts, make props, and decide on what to say?  You bet.  Instead of telling children what to do, I ask them what they want to do. That’s empowering. We learned about the Southwest, … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, play performances, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 46 Comments

1-800-Help!

Perhaps it was the ice storm that left the playground like a skating rink nestled among trees.  Or perhaps it was the freezing temperatures day after day, because we have not been outside at school.  Whatever the reason, today was … Continue reading

Posted in behavior, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Kindness, picture books, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 73 Comments

Einstein, and Why He is My Hero

Jim Trelease sent me Einstein’s quote, “Creativity is intelligence having fun.”  Jim knew this would strike me, and it did.  All that I do in teaching is centered on creativity.  And of course fun is essential in order to make … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Einstein, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, music, Quotes, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 72 Comments

A Letter From Her Majesty the Queen

Letter writing is alive and well in my classroom.  We wrote a letter to Queen Elizabeth, and we received a reply.  Children were beyond thrilled.  Everyone heard the sound of the letter opener tearing the envelope.  Anticipation! And there it … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 99 Comments

Noah, Music, and Children

Look what came in the mail for Noah, along with a pair of socks! It reads, “Dear Noah, You knocked our socks off by taking your love of music and turning it into a music program for preschool kids!  Awesome … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, music, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 62 Comments