Category Archives: Inspiration

Miracle On Ice

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Jennie

Today is the 40th anniversary of ‘Miracle on Ice’, when Team USA beat the Soviet Union in the medal round in ice hockey at the 1980 Olympics. This is not a sports story.  This is a story of what can … Continue reading →

Posted in America, behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, history, Inspiration, patriotism, preschool, self esteem, Teaching young children | 40 Comments

More Valentines For Gloria

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Jennie

The Valentine cards for Gloria kept coming. The plan was to make and decorate cards for our families, Yet children made cards for Gloria – first. All on their own. We watched the magic of giving happen. ”No act of … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, Quotes, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

Charli Mills, Bobo, and “The Poet’s Dog”

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Jennie

Charli Mills over at Carrot Ranch Literary Community posted her new flash fiction challenge.  She always starts with an incredible prologue, a personal writing that paints a deeper picture of the challenge.  I love what she writes. Charli makes me … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, books, children's books, Death and dying, Dogs, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Particia MacLachlan, self esteem, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 89 Comments

The Hundred Little Things

Posted on February 5, 2020 by Jennie

I have a handwritten list of posts I want to write, things that are important.  There is one that has been screaming at me for a long time, with yellow highlighter and a post-it note: “The Hundred Little Things.”  It … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, preschool, reading aloud, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 109 Comments

My Favorite Bear Books, Part 1

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Jennie

Winter is here, and it is time to feel cozy, just like bears.  I love bears and bear stories. Children do too.  While stories about animals are always popular, bear stories are favorites, year after year. Here are my favorite … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

A Walk Down Memory Lane – Photos Tell the Stories

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Jennie

I have been plugging away at deleting photos from my media library, because I am close to using up my available space.  I know, it’s only a photo, but as I scroll through the photos, every one has been a … Continue reading →

Posted in American flag, Author interview, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, history, Inspiration, military, Nature, picture books, play performances, preschool, quilting, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 103 Comments

Gloria’s Necklace, Part 2

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Jennie

Yesterday’s tragedy of breaking Gloria’s beloved necklace, the one Milly gave her years ago, was a lesson in a whole lot of things – from how do you fix a problem, to doing the right thing, and caring for others.  … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 72 Comments

Gloria’s Necklace, Part 1

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Jennie

Today was not a good day.  Everything broke.  It started with the key to our favorite game, Cranium Cariboo.  We call it “The Ball Game”.  It is THE game, and of course it’s no longer made.  The purple key to … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, joy, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 64 Comments

Roots

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Jennie

My artist friend at Mountain Roots Studio in Asheville, North Carolina, makes trees out of twisted wire.  Her trees have deep, pronounced roots.  I’ve always liked that.  Roots.  That’s where it all begins.  Without roots we have nothing. I liken … Continue reading →

Posted in art, behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, preschool, self esteem, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 67 Comments

Best Buddy

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Jennie

Here is a photo of me and my Best Buddy, fifteen years ago. Yes, Best Buddy.  That’s what we called each other. As the years went on, we saw each other occasionally, and we always called each other Best Buddy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, music, preschool, Singing, Student alumni | Tagged , , , , , | 58 Comments