Category Archives: Inspiration

When a Chapter Book Ends…

Posted on October 20, 2025 by Jennie

I finished reading reading aloud Charlotte’s Web this week, with mixed emotions.  I have a dramatic scene (understatement) I do at the ending of a chapter book.  I get upset and tell my wonderful fellow teacher: “Heidi, I don’t like this.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, Death and dying, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 81 Comments

A Magical Evening at School

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Jennie

Tonight was a magical evening.  Pizza dinner at school is pretty cool; yet carving a pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern with your family is a memory builder.  We so enjoyed all the activity and excitement with each family.  As the sun … Continue reading →

Posted in Halloween, Imagination, Inspiration, jack-o-lanterns, Nature, Singing, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , | 66 Comments

Banned Children’s Books

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Jennie

Thank you, Carla, at Carla Loves To Read for posting this.  Read on to see what classic children’s books were banned.  My addition to banned children’s books is Charlotte’s Web. Saturday Morning for Kids: Banned Books Addition This meme was started … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Diversity, Inspiration, Learning About the World, Library, literacy | Tagged , , , , | 67 Comments

Gloria’s Wonderful Debut

Posted on October 12, 2025 by Jennie

Welcome, Gloria!  Children loved her from Day One.  After all these years, I often think about the wonder of her magic, connecting with children.  They want to be her friend.  They want to take care of her.  Here she is … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Family, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 56 Comments

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