Category Archives: Expressing words and feelings

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

Olivia and Linda, a Happy New Year

I have only one photo of children in my class beside my computer.  One. Meet, left to right, Maddy, Allison, Olivia, Sophie, and Sarah.  These children are now in college, and still it is my favorite photo.  I have a … Continue reading

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness | Tagged , , , , , | 52 Comments

Darth Vader, Marines, and Reading Aloud

I watched a TED Talks with actor Adam Driver who plays Darth Vader’s son in the last two Star Wars movies.  He is one great actor!  The new Star Wars movie (saw it yesterday) is outstanding. What he does outside … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Imagination, Inspiration, military, play performances, reading, reading aloud, storytelling, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 39 Comments