Category Archives: Family

The Autoharp

Posted on September 2, 2018 by

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 , , , , , , , | 67 Comments

The Legacy of Milly, Part 10 – The Final Curtain

Posted on August 12, 2018 by

In Part 9, Milly continued her visits to school.  The children and Gloria were always thrilled when it was a ‘Milly day’.  At last, after years of quilts that went away to places of honor, Milly made a quilt, “Our Towns” … Continue reading →

Posted in art, books, Death and dying, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, Peace, quilting, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 98 Comments

Roots, Wings, and Thunderstorms

Posted on July 28, 2018 by

A beautiful sky was appearing after the storm tonight.  I love thunderstorms. Watching the clouds grow and change as a storm builds is exciting.  The light becomes very different.  Mother Nature is getting ready to put on quite a show. … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Imagination, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, self esteem, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 64 Comments

The Legacy of Milly, Part 5

Posted on July 17, 2018 by

In Part 4 the Peace Quilt became part of the permanent collection at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, and Milly became an important part of my classroom.  Children adored her.  She loved singing, and Milly’s favorite song was our favorite … Continue reading →

Posted in American flag, art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, geography, history, Imagination, Inspiration, military, museums, patriotism, quilting, Singing, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 68 Comments

Gloria and Lucca, ‘Livin’ the Dream’

Posted on June 28, 2018 by

Everybody loves Gloria! Gloria’s social life and adventures with children are a natural result of what happens when good friends connect.  Children beg to take Gloria home for the weekend.  Her journal is packed with wonderful stories and photos of … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 50 Comments

What Happens at Chapter Reading, Part II

Posted on June 8, 2018 by

Our final chapter reading book this year at school is Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  The last chapter that we read, ‘Indians in the House’, sparked intense questions and conversations about Indians and people who are … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Death and dying, Early Education, Family, history, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Train Memories, My Childhood, and My Grandmother

Posted on May 12, 2018 by

In light of National Train Day today, and Mother’s Day tomorrow, this is a beloved repost of my train memories and my grandmother.  Summer evenings on the porch are quiet, except for the occasional  sound of a train whistle in … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, history, Love, storytelling, trains, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 78 Comments