Category Archives: history

Bridges, Old and New, Returning Home

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Jennie

Every bridge along the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut is 1930’s Art Deco.  Each bridge is different, and a piece of art.  I had my iPhone on the dashboard of the car, hoping to capture some beauties. Winged Victory is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, geography, history, Inspiration, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 51 Comments

The Star-Spangled Banner

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Jennie

This is a repost, one of my favorite songs and books, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Happy Birthday, America. Bringing our National Anthem to Life Few books have the power to move young students and make a difference; this one does. Whenever … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Book Review, children's books, Early Education, history, Inspiration, patriotism, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

America – The True Meaning in a Children’s Book

Posted on July 2, 2019 by Jennie

The perfect book.  Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus captures the heart of America.  The stunning illustrations by Kadir Nelson make the simple text explode with meaning.  It is history: White Rows.  White Rows When I turned to this page, … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Book Review, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, history, Inspiration, patriotism, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 50 Comments

From Little House on the Prairie, to Geography, to Maps, to Mount Rushmore, to History… And More

Posted on May 24, 2019 by Jennie

When good reading happens in my classroom, it opens the door to so many other things. Children have questions and ideas.  Interrupting in the middle of chapter reading means children are listening and interested.  I can answer those questions and … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, history, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 64 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 4

Posted on May 19, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 3, we made a giant sketch for the quilt based on what the children felt were important parts of the song and the book, “This Land is Your Land.”  Woody’s guitar, the church from the ‘sad page’, landmarks … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Early Education, history, Imagination, Inspiration, music, patriotism, quilting, Singing, Teaching young children, The Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 72 Comments

The Boy Who Cried Tears of the Heart – Epilogue

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Jennie

Reading aloud happened today, twice.  Both events spanned years – well, connected years – yet were about the same child.  Let me explain. This is the time of year that I chapter read fact, not fiction books.  I start with … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, Dogs, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, history, reading aloud, reading aloud, Student alumni | Tagged , , , , , , | 57 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 1

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Jennie

And to my surprise, the children have driven the making of yet another quilt. Over the past ten years, my preschool class has designed quilts.  Each one materialized because of something the children were passionate about.  When they couldn’t get … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, geography, history, patriotism, picture books, preschool, quilting, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 68 Comments

Steve the Crossing Guard

Posted on March 10, 2019 by Jennie

There are teachers, and there are remarkable teachers.  Steve the Crossing Guard is one of the remarkable teachers, and he doesn’t teach in a classroom. He teaches on the street at a school crossing.  The children at his crossing will … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, history, Inspiration, preschool, Quotes, storytelling, Teaching young children, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 73 Comments

The Very Hungry Caterpillar – 50th Anniversary

Posted on December 1, 2018 by Jennie

Fifty years.  That’s a very long time.  For a book to still be alive, vibrant, and read all over the world – fifty years later – is astounding.  The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, history, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

Language, Literacy, and Storytelling – Part 3

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Jennie

In Part 2, I shared worrisome statistics about children who enter school excited to learn to read, and the dramatic drop-off when they are not exposed to books and hearing words.  I talked about the next step, engaging children in both … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Imagination, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 64 Comments