Category Archives: Inspiration

Nature is the Greatest Teacher for Children

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Jennie

Covid-19 has actually made teachers rethink how to best teach young children.  At school, we decided that spending more time outside is better for children.  We teachers all know the benefits of nature, yet the demands of what children need … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, Nature, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 117 Comments

Books, Reading, and Puzzles

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Jennie

I can’t say enough to the families of the children I teach, about books and reading. The more they know and understand, the better it is for their child. This is a newsletter I sent to families yesterday: Hi Families, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 68 Comments

School, the End of Summer, and My Porch

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Jennie

Back to school is hard. I feel like the children do, apprehensive and unsure. Summer is ending. The crickets are telling me so. During this transition, the place that grounds me is my porch. On my porch, I’m still part … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, teaching, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 70 Comments

The Day Before School… Ice Cream!

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Jennie

School starts tomorrow for teachers.  Today I drove out to a farm, in the country. It was a picture perfect day.  The farm is a dairy farm.  That means ice cream. New England + dairy farms = the best ice … Continue reading →

Posted in American flag, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Nature | Tagged , , , | 81 Comments

My Summer of Books – Part 3

Posted on August 30, 2020 by Jennie

In Part 1 and Part 2, I reviewed the picture books in the photo below.  These books were new and wonderful reads this summer. Part 3: Upper grade books for older children. I had a double-dose of Patricia MacLachlan books.  Lucky me!  After … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Death and dying, Diversity, Dogs, E.B. White, Expressing words and feelings, history, Inspiration, Particia MacLachlan, reading | Tagged , , , , , , , | 68 Comments

My Summer of Books – Part 2

Posted on August 27, 2020 by Jennie

In  Part 1 I talked about many of the picture books in this photo, which shows all the children’s books I read this summer. Part 2 continues with the picture books, and bridges to older children’s books. Pigs in the Mud in … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Particia MacLachlan, picture books, reading | Tagged , , , , , | 79 Comments

Reading Aloud to the Rescue

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Jennie

A child’s serious head injury required surgery and plenty of rest at home.  Scary stuff.  How to help Miles relax and take his mind away from his boo-boo?  Reading aloud, of course.  Miles loved ‘Jennie reading’ when he was in … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, Inspiration, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 60 Comments

Little Sundrop

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Jennie

Little sundrop, where were you when you family bloomed in June? They grew, as a big happy family. They were in full glory on the Fourth of July. The days of August have put them to rest, yet here you … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , | 51 Comments

Ahead of His Time

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Jennie

“Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero.” ~Fred Rogers~ Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Quotes, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 56 Comments

The Green Mountain State – Vermont, Part 2

Posted on August 16, 2020 by Jennie

This sight brought on a huge smile. A big American flag against the backdrop of the Green Mountains. Life is good. Our destination was the Bennington Museum in Bennington, Vermont.  There’s a back story here, which many of my longtime … Continue reading →

Posted in America, art, geography, Inspiration, museums, Nature, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 61 Comments