Category Archives: Imagination

When Children Have the Freedom To “Be”

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Jennie

While this is a post I wrote about play performances with children, it is really about far more.  Oh, yes!  It is about believing and taking risks.  It is about freedom and encouragement.  It’s my philosophy of teaching.  Paying attention … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, joy, Love, play performances, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 92 Comments

Hector Fox and the Giant Quest

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Jennie

Hector Fox and the Giant Quest I have been teaching preschool for thirty-five years.  I’m the guru of picture books at school.  Frankly I’m picky, and I know a good book when I read one.  Hector Fox and the Giant … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, picture books, reading, young children | Tagged , , , | 45 Comments

The Best Children’s Christmas Books

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Jennie

I want to share with you my favorite Christmas books.  I love books, and I love reading to children.  After a gazillion years, these are the ‘tried and true’, stories that children love. Me, too! Grab tissues, laughter, and wonder, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, reading, reading aloud, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

Carl Sagan on Books

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Jennie

Jennie

Posted in books, Imagination, Inspiration, Quotes, reading | Tagged , , , , | 49 Comments

The Playground at Night

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Jennie

Light and Dark on the Playground In the dark and cold of December Children see new things The dark gives light and beauty To the starkness And when children return in the morning Blues and whites appear Colors that were … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

A Story of Reading Aloud

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Jennie

Author Kate DiCamillo tells a childhood story of her teacher reading aloud, when she was in second grade.  It is powerful.  She remembers every detail… including the class bully. “It’s 1972, and I’m 8 years old and in second grade … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling | Tagged , , , , , , | 63 Comments

Halloween at School

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Jennie

Halloween at school is Pajama Day!  Everyone wears PJs, teachers included.  Of course there’s a (wonderful) method behind our madness.  Costumes can be scary for some children, and how cool is it to wear your pajamas to school! We also … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Halloween, Imagination, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 37 Comments

E.B. White’s Grandniece – In My Classroom

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Jennie

It happened like this: And as you know, those are the beginning words to a really good story.  So, hold on to your hat. Last spring I learned that E.B. White’s grandniece was giving a presentation at my local library.  … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 89 Comments

Language, Literacy, and Storytelling – Part 4

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Jennie

In Part 3, I shared proof of the powerful and positive effects of storytelling, through the story of Cuban cigars and their high quality – thanks to la lectura.  I am also happy to report that the 12th grade English teacher from … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 52 Comments

Making Memories at School

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Jennie

There is something exciting, magical about this time of year.  When the sun goes down and children are helping their families to carve a pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern, memories are made.  Imagine being three and four years old, at school … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Halloween, Imagination, jack-o-lanterns, preschool, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 35 Comments