Category Archives: Imagination

“Bob” and Book Bears

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Jennie

My Book Bears reading group at the library meets every month.  We read a book, and have a discussion about the book the following month.  If that was the only thing that happened at Book Bears, it would be dreadful.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , | 56 Comments

“Starry Night” Continues

Posted on December 31, 2019 by Jennie

The walls in my classroom are mostly filled with children’s art, as it should be.  Gone are the flashy colors and cute teacher decorations.  I learned long ago they are more of a distraction than anything else to children.  My … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, joy, Love, museums, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 78 Comments

Why the Need for Art, Stories, Poems, and Music?

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Jennie

“Children need art and stories and poems and music as much as they need love and food and fresh air and play. “ Wise words from Philip Pullman, who received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2005: Children need art and … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, music, Poetry, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

The White Feather

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Jennie

Eagles, specifically the bald eagle, is our unit of study. The live video cam was on.  We watched a mother eagle in her nest taking care of two eggs. A child said, “Jennie, you have a white feather in your … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 60 Comments

Gloria Trick-or-Treating

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Jennie

Gloria went trick or-treating on Halloween night as a cow.  Imagine that!  She was accompanied by Asha, who dressed up as Elsa, and by Asha’s big brother who dressed up as Harry Potter. Gloria’s journal entry reads: “Asha had so … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Gloria, Halloween, Imagination, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 54 Comments

Telling a Halloween Story – A Classic “Jennie Story”

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Jennie

Storytelling is, and has always been, the foundation for language and learning.  I write about children, yet storytelling applies to all people.  Words and ideas are how we start to learn, and how we continue to learn. Everybody loves a … Continue reading →

Posted in Halloween, Imagination, preschool, storytelling | Tagged , , , , , | 87 Comments

Saying Goodbye

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Jennie

We said our goodbyes to Ella the Fella.  Since Ella’s birthday is in December, children decided to sing “Happy Birthday.” Next, they wanted to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Flowers were placed alongside Ella’s marker. Miles told us, “There’s an … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Death and dying, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Quotes, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 62 Comments

A Magical Evening at School

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Jennie

Every year we have a party for families at school.  It begins with a pizza supper on the playground, followed by carving jack-o-lanterns.  It is wonderful.  Families meet and greet, eat pizza, and then roll up their sleeves to carve … Continue reading →

Posted in Halloween, Imagination, jack-o-lanterns, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 52 Comments

Gloria’s Excellent Adventure

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Jennie

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

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 8

Posted on August 24, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 7, I told the story of the huge tree that almost fell over on our neighbor’s house.  The Fire Chief in his big red fire truck, and the Tree Man in his cherry picker truck added plenty of real … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 55 Comments