Category Archives: Inspiration

Mac, Then and Now

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Jennie

If you think reading aloud doesn’t make a difference, think again! Mac then Mac now His parents recently wrote to me: “We commented before bed that Angus is probably ready for chapter books and Mac jumped up for the opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 79 Comments

The Last Hurrah, and Blooming

Posted on October 1, 2025 by Jennie

Summer is over. Flowers have finished blooming, yet one brave, red, bloom burst forth with grandeur that rivaled nature. Flowers are like children, my children at school. They bloom at different times. Some are quiet, some are vibrant. Yet, when … Continue reading →

Posted in Heart, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , | 48 Comments

Brilliant!

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Jennie

Sometimes I read something that makes me stop in my tracks, takes my breath away: I believe we are simple creatures with a complex makeup. That may not make sense but think about it in its simplest form:  we are … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Kindness, Mindfulness | Tagged , , | 39 Comments

Storytelling

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Jennie

Storytelling is a staple in my classroom.  It connects teachers with children, especially if those stories are “real.”  It gives children a big dose of language, because storytelling doesn’t include pictures.  They hear the words and make the pictures in … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 77 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

Charlotte’s Web – The Backstory and My E.B. White Connection

Posted on September 8, 2025 by Jennie

This is a repost from 2018, and tells an important story.  Can you believe I have typed on E.B. White’s Underwood typewriter?  Read on!  You will discover who is really Wilbur and Charlotte.  That’s something I will never forget.  Never. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, Library, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 76 Comments

Day One at School – Reading Aloud Charlotte’s Web

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Jennie

Today was Day One at school.  I always worry that I won’t remember children’s names, but I remembered.  Children arrived teary, excited, shy, and everything in between.  We played, got to know each other, sang, and began the routines of … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 87 Comments

My Favorite Picture Books of the Summer

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Jennie

  Norman and the Smell of Adventure, By Ryan T. Higgins Norman has a best friend – Mildred.  She’s a tree.  While they have favorite things they do every day, Norman is getting bored.  He wants to do something new, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 69 Comments

Summer at the Eric Carle Museum

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Jennie

A trip to the Eric Carle Museum is my ray of sunshine, my inspiration.  Seeing original art illustrations and finding new children’s books gives me joy.  This summer visit was wonderful of course, and filled with new discoveries. The lobby … Continue reading →

Posted in art, children's books, Diversity, Eric Carle, Eric Carle Museum, Inspiration, picture books, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , | 84 Comments

Juliana’s Surprise Visit

Posted on August 20, 2025 by Jennie

When school ends. most children enjoy school’s Summer Camp. Many teachers become Camp Counselors. I have summers off… which is hard for children. They miss me. Juliana popped over to my house unexpectedly. She missed me and wanted to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, summer camp, young children | Tagged , , , , | 59 Comments