Category Archives: Inspiration

Real Heroes

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Jennie

There are sad events in life that turn into goodness for others.  Gabi’s Bears is a case in point.  It started as a local fundraiser in a small Massachusetts town, after cancer had taken Gabi away.  Buy a bear to … Continue reading →

Posted in Death and dying, Early Education, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, young children | Tagged , , , , | 57 Comments

The White Feather

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Jennie

Eagles, specifically the bald eagle, is our unit of study. The live video cam was on.  We watched a mother eagle in her nest taking care of two eggs. A child said, “Jennie, you have a white feather in your … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 60 Comments

Storytelling… and Ellis

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Jennie

Interestingly, my storytelling to children often happens in the bathroom.  While that might sound strange, it really isn’t.  It’s me, sitting on the bench with three or four children, squished in close.  It feels good.  We’re waiting for the child … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 68 Comments

Thanking a Veteran and Astronaut

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Jennie

As soon as the leaves begin to fall, I start teaching children patriotic songs.  I have my Big Book Atlas handy to look at and talk about America.  Of course the American flag hangs in my classroom. All of this … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Early Education, Giving thanks, history, Inspiration, military, patriotism, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 66 Comments

Read For The Record

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Jennie

Today is the big day.  Teachers all across the world read aloud the same book on the same day to children.  The magnificence of children all over the world hearing the words and seeing the illustrations of the same story … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Family, Giving thanks, Inspiration, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

Reading Aloud – To You! Part 7, the Final Chapters

Posted on November 3, 2019 by Jennie

I am reading aloud the final two chapters of The Poet’s Dog, by Patricia MacLachlan.  Chapter twelve is 2:44 and chapter thirteen is 6:24.  I know you will love the ending.  Many surprises come into play.  Ellie comes to rescue … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, Dogs, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Leo Lionni, Particia MacLachlan, preschool, reading aloud, Teaching young children, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 54 Comments

Reading Aloud – To You! Part 6

Posted on October 29, 2019 by Jennie

My reading aloud The Poet’s Dog by Patricia MacLachlan continues with chapters ten and eleven.  Chapter ten is 5:25 and chapter eleven is 3:49. Everything is coming to a head.  The storm is over, and… well, you’ll see (and hear.)  Much happens … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Dogs, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Love, Particia MacLachlan, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

Saying Goodbye

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Jennie

We said our goodbyes to Ella the Fella.  Since Ella’s birthday is in December, children decided to sing “Happy Birthday.” Next, they wanted to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Flowers were placed alongside Ella’s marker. Miles told us, “There’s an … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Death and dying, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Quotes, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 62 Comments

Gloria’s Excellent Adventure

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Jennie

Gloria often goes home with a child on the weekend.  She has a bag, a quilt, and a journal. She is ready for anything, from graduations to soccer games, to holiday celebrations.  It didn’t used to be that way, until … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 64 Comments

The Apollo, the Eagle, and an Astronaut

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Jennie

“With courage, imagination, and the will to explore, nothing is impossible.” -Neil Armstrong- Those were the words that stuck with me when I visited the Kennedy Space Center in Florida last week.  I will make a banner of Armstrong’s quote … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Early Education, geography, history, Inspiration, Learning About the World, military, patriotism, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 68 Comments