Category Archives: Inspiration

School, the End of Summer, and My Porch

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!

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

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

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

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

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

“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

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

Morning at the Market

A giant field of gorgeous sunflowers and zinnias greeting customers as they arrive to shop for local produce. A delightful way to start the morning. Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 55 Comments

The Green Mountain State – Vermont, Part 1

Yes, I know.  You want to be there, too. Hubby and I put the top down on the old sports car and drove to Vermont.  Winding back roads all the way.  The weather was glorious, big puffy clouds and a … Continue reading

Posted in America, geography, history, Inspiration, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 84 Comments