Category Archives: history

Community Service in a Different Way

Posted on November 19, 2025 by Jennie

I live in a town, not a city.  It’s not rural, but pretty close.  40+ years ago when we moved here there were no road signs, no traffic lights, and the phone number was just the last five digits.  It … Continue reading →

Posted in geography, Giving, Giving thanks, history, Inspiration, literacy, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 60 Comments

My 9/11

Posted on September 11, 2025 by Jennie

This is a repost. What happened, and what I did two years ago, will forever be my best act of giving. Tonight, 9/11, 7:00 P.M. Photo was taken from Hoboken, NJ right across the water. Before I went to school … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Giving, history, Inspiration, Kindness, patriotism | Tagged , , | 50 Comments

Making History Come Alive For Children – Part 3

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Jennie

History is an abstract concept for children, so if I can link something tangible – like me – to history, perhaps they can have an understanding. At the end of the school year we read non-fiction chapter books.  Little House on … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, Early Education, Family, Gloria, history, Inspiration, literacy, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

Making History Come Alive For Children – Part 2

Posted on July 7, 2025 by Jennie

As I read one of the classic children’s books, The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton, it turned out to be an unexpected history lesson.  This wonderful book begins with a charming little house on a hill, living through days … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, history, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, School, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 63 Comments

Why Goodnight Moon?

Posted on June 29, 2025 by Jennie

Why do I read aloud GoodNight Moon to my preschoolers every day? Yes, every day, right before chapter reading. It has the words that paint images in the minds of young children.  It has rhyming that sways.  The words feel … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Heart, history, Inspiration, Library, literacy, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

Making History Come Alive For Children – Part 1

Posted on June 24, 2025 by Jennie

I am the schoolmarm for third graders at the end of the school year, in the old New England schoolhouse in town.  The year I bring to life for children is 1833.  I ring the bell to welcome ‘scholars’ as … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Early Education, history, Inspiration, literacy, Math, music, patriotism, reading aloud, School, Singing | Tagged , , , | 95 Comments

Gloria Goes to Missouri – Part 2

Posted on May 11, 2025 by Jennie

Awww…just look at that smile! Gloria arrived back home with much fanfare.  There’s nothing like welcoming a best friend after a long trip.  We learned that Missouri has cows.  Lots of cows.  So, included in Gloria’s welcome home box was … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, geography, Giving thanks, Gloria, history, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, School, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 61 Comments

Happy Easter from Boston’s Make Way for Ducklings

Posted on April 20, 2025 by Jennie

Photo courtesy Universal Hub Robert McCloskey’s classic story, Make Way for Ducklings, is immortalized in bronze statues in the Public Garden on Boston Common.  Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack  are all … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, history, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, The Arts | Tagged , , | 73 Comments

Two Important Books to Read on 9/11

Posted on September 11, 2024 by Jennie

This is a repost… because it is important.  These are two books everyone should read.  One is the true story of an old, retired fireboat that literally saved the day for firefighters on 9/11.  The other is a book about … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Book Review, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Giving thanks, history, literacy, patriotism, picture books | Tagged , , , , | 36 Comments

Amanda in Scotland

Posted on June 7, 2024 by Jennie

Look what arrived today! The newest Amanda book by Darlene Foster. I love every Amanda book. Adventure, history, geography, and all the complexities of sleuthing with many different characters and personalities. Let the summer reading begin! Jennie

Posted in Book Review, books, geography, history, Learning About the World, literacy, reading | Tagged , , | 38 Comments