Category Archives: Giving

Milly – Part 2

Posted on July 18, 2021 by Jennie

In Part 1, I discovered a Peace Portal at a museum and recreated it in my classroom.  Peace became a big deal and very real to children.  When I saw quilts that were murals, I knew I had to make … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, The Arts, Writing, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 66 Comments

Tanya, the Real Deal For Kindness

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Jennie

When you meet kindness head on, consider yourself lucky. On our way home from a long overdue visit with our grandchildren, we stopped for dinner at an Applebee’s, our first dinner in a restaurant in over a year.  Our server … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Love | Tagged , , , , | 115 Comments

Our Wish Tree

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Jennie

What is a Wish Tree? Wikipedia says: A wish tree is an individual tree, usually distinguished by species, position or appearance, which is used as an object of wishes and offerings.  Such trees are identified as possessing a special spiritual … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Love, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 82 Comments

Week of the Young Child

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Jennie

This is ‘Week of the Young Child’, celebrated nationally by early childhood programs, accredited by NAEYC – National Association for the Education of Young Children.  It’s a big deal! We celebrated by ‘filling buckets’, literally and figuratively.  Children filled pails … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Diversity, Early Education, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, Learning About the World, picture books, preschool, School, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

Hope, and a Wish Tree

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Jennie

This is a year of Hope.  Children need it.   Adults need it.  When they find Hope, it carries them along.  Far.  Wish Trees are beacons of hope, where people give their most important and sacred wishes.  They have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Nature, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 104 Comments

Sue Vincent, the Wordsmith and Giver

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Jennie

A true wordsmith can pack a punch into few words that leaves the reader feeling as if s/he has been given a golden key to questioning and understanding. A wordsmith who is also a giver leaves the reader feeling that … Continue reading →

Posted in Death and dying, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration, reading, storytelling, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 77 Comments

Valentines and Love

Posted on February 13, 2021 by Jennie

~Valentines~ A gift, a symbol of love. I received many today. Gloria did, too. In the words of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, “All You Need is Love.” Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, music, picture books, Quotes, Singing, The Arts, The Beatles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 60 Comments

Snow Smiles

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Jennie

Children and teachers discovered smiles in the snow overhanging the roof.  No one knows who made it.  We were the first to play on the playground and delight in the deep new snow.  Thank you to the mystery artist and … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 67 Comments

A Christmas Tradition – The Sticky Bun Lady

Posted on December 25, 2020 by Jennie

For thirty-something years, the sticky bun lady has delivered her treats to my house.  It started when her girls were preschoolers in my class.  Every Christmas Eve she would arrive, much like Santa.  She never missed a year. I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, preschool | Tagged , , , , | 50 Comments

Reading Aloud on Christmas Eve

Posted on December 24, 2020 by Jennie

I wanted to read aloud to the children on Christmas Eve.  I wanted to leave them with visions of sugar plums.  Well, I wanted to give them the gift of a story.  And that’s just what I did. Last March … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 54 Comments