Category Archives: Inspiration

Colors of the Day – Flowering Tree, Moonrise, Sunset

Pink is exploding on the playground at school. This beauty of a tree is beside the climber. We climbed and looked in wonder. The moonrise on the playground above the tree’s early spring leaves glowed above a perfect circle. Children … Continue reading

Posted in Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, Quotes, wonder | Tagged , , , | 40 Comments

From Dinosaurs to the Stop Game

Today was one of those ‘moments’ in teaching, the ones that turn something small into something big.  It was a simple question, yet it opened a whole new world for children. It happened like this… Every day we have the … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, Learning About the World, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 86 Comments

Mother’s Day

Look what bloomed just in time for Mother’s Day. A mother’s love is the sun for growing, the moon for dreaming, and the stars for guiding the way. ~ Barbara Loots~ Happy Mother’s Day. Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Love, Nature, Quotes, wonder | Tagged , | 47 Comments

A Visit to The Eric Carle Museum

Just when I thought I might not discover something new, my recent visit to the Eric Carle Museum proved me very wrong.  Everything I experienced and saw was very new.  Lucky me! The main event was the museum’s annual Barbara … Continue reading

Posted in America, art, Author interview, Book Review, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, geography, Inspiration, Learning About the World, museums, Nature, patriotism, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 75 Comments

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

A child in my class is greeting George Washington. Yes, a picture says a thousand words. Jennie

Posted in America, Early Education, history, Inspiration, patriotism, wonder, young children | Tagged , , | 47 Comments

Children Around the World – Sending Cards

In April we celebrate Children Around the World. We started with our Big Book Atlas. Then we studied the world, talking about children everywhere. Look at our arms – we are all different, yet much the same. We made cards … Continue reading

Posted in art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, geography, Inspiration, Learning About the World, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , | 90 Comments

Gloria Goes To Washington – Part 3, the Finale

In Part 2, Gloria saw the White House and an Egyptian Mummy at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Part 3 Hey Aqua Room, Gloria had a really exciting day yesterday.  First she went to the Spy Museum!  It was pretty … Continue reading

Posted in art, Diversity, Early Education, Gloria, Inspiration, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 43 Comments

Gloria Goes To Washington – Part 2

In Part 1, Gloria and Tim visited the Lincoln Memorial. President Lincoln believed in equality for all. Tim and his parents thought Gloria would like that lesson. Part 2 Hey Aqua Room, Gloria had a very busy day yesterday!  First … Continue reading

Posted in America, Diversity, geography, Gloria, history, Inspiration, museums, The Arts, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , | 47 Comments

Gloria Goes To Washington – Part 1

Gloria has been in Washington D.C. with a classmate (I’ll call him Tim.)  His father sent an email and photos to the class each day about Gloria’s adventures in Washington. Hey Aqua Room, Tim wanted to send a note to … Continue reading

Posted in America, Diversity, Gloria, Inspiration, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 49 Comments

Family

I call my classroom a family.  We are a family.  Children hear me say all the time, “Once an Aqua Roomer, always an Aqua Roomer.”  That means family is always there for you.  Children can take Gloria home long after … Continue reading

Posted in children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, reading aloud, wonder | Tagged , , | 69 Comments