Category Archives: Family

School, the End of Summer, and My Porch

Posted on September 4, 2020 by

Back to school is hard. I feel like the children do, apprehensive and unsure. Summer is ending. The crickets are telling me so. During this transition, the place that grounds me is my porch. On my porch, I’m still part … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, teaching, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 70 Comments

End of the School Year

Posted on June 26, 2020 by

The end of the school year is always fast, furious, and fun. Emotions run wild, both with children and teachers. The week started with visits to every child’s house. Really. How cool is that, to have your teacher come to … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Family, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, preschool, teaching, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 68 Comments

Making Lemonade Today Out of Lemons – Birthday Parade

Posted on April 5, 2020 by

Today was Amelia’s birthday.  It turned out to be a grand event.  Life has given us lemons recently.  It has given everyone lemons, and we made the finest lemonade. We had a Birthday Party Car Parade! I arrived at Amelia’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, preschool, young children | Tagged , , , , , | 77 Comments

Cyber Dinner is Socializing

Posted on March 24, 2020 by

How can we socialize today?  This is so engrained in our everyday life.  During this pandemic we need to find meaningful ways to connect with each other.  I am connecting with my students every day on YouTube and email, and … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, Love, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 93 Comments

Gloria’s Holiday, a Final Adventure

Posted on January 3, 2020 by

Today Gloria’s journal was delivered to the class with a final entry, her adventures over Thanksgiving, snow days, and the build up to Christmas.  I promised her I would share it.  She was very excited.  Of course it was hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving thanks, Gloria, Inspiration, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 57 Comments

“Day is Done”

Posted on November 28, 2019 by

After Thanksgiving dinner, this was the sunset. I was overcome. I started to sing this song. I don’t know why, perhaps it was the family and the memories back inside the house, but I know I had to sing it. … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving thanks, Singing, summer camp, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , | 56 Comments

A Golden Bridge in the Dark

Posted on November 25, 2019 by

Driving at night. Headed to see family far away.  A golden bridge lights the way. Happy Thanksgiving. Jennie

Posted in Family, geography, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , , | 52 Comments

Read For The Record

Posted on November 7, 2019 by

Today is the big day.  Teachers all across the world read aloud the same book on the same day to children.  The magnificence of children all over the world hearing the words and seeing the illustrations of the same story … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Family, Giving thanks, Inspiration, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

Gloria’s Excellent Adventure

Posted on October 18, 2019 by

Gloria often goes home with a child on the weekend.  She has a bag, a quilt, and a journal. She is ready for anything, from graduations to soccer games, to holiday celebrations.  It didn’t used to be that way, until … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 64 Comments

My Summer Children

Posted on August 12, 2019 by

Children are a wonder. Nature is a wonder, too. Both grow, with the help of loving adults. I take care of my ‘summer children.’ My eyes are witness to life, and sometimes death.  I see beauty, and I am humbled … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 51 Comments