Category Archives: Inspiration

Gloria and Lucca, ‘Livin’ the Dream’

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Jennie

Everybody loves Gloria! Gloria’s social life and adventures with children are a natural result of what happens when good friends connect.  Children beg to take Gloria home for the weekend.  Her journal is packed with wonderful stories and photos of … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 50 Comments

Steve the Crossing Guard

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Jennie

Steve is a fellow blogger and a school crossing guard in western New York state.  I have to tell you what he does with children.  Obviously the best teachers are not always teachers in the classroom. Last January he wrote … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, young children | Tagged , , , , | 125 Comments

A Joy Story!

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Jennie

Got four minutes?  Want to see one of the greatest clips of real joy?  I mean real.  Grab a seat.  En-joy! Thank you to Inga, my fellow teacher.  She is a magician because she finds these things that are the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration | Tagged , , , , , , | 42 Comments

My Superpower

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Jennie
Posted in Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, self esteem | Tagged , | 59 Comments

Spring

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Jennie

Playground tree at school Spring Rebirth and beauty Watching children grow A teacher’s world A child’s playground Joy

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 35 Comments

Thanking Milly, Connecting Generations, and Quilting

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Jennie

Milly turned 88 today.  She has been a beloved friend to children in my classroom for years.  Her story is emergent curriculum on steroids, because everything she touched became a monument.  Really. It happened like this… Many years ago my … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Giving thanks, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, Peace, quilting, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 59 Comments

The Important Things For Children

Posted on May 6, 2018 by Jennie

Nature is a teacher. Children learning to love and to care when they hold baby chicks. Their world suddenly becomes joyous.  A trip to a farm.  Doing things you have never done. Riding a tractor. And driving a tractor. Thrilling. … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Inspiration, Learning About the World, Nature, self esteem, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 72 Comments

My Classroom Bookshelf

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Jennie

My classroom bookshelf is the most important and popular place to be.  I think so, and children certainly feel that way.  They congregate like squirrels at a bird feeder.  Yes, there are fights over books, loud times, and also quiet … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 73 Comments

Katie and Miles, The Circle of Life in Reading

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Jennie

The more that you read, the more things you will know.  The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.  –Dr. Seuss- I remember Katie von Campe like it was yesterday.  She was a “Mighty, Mighty Mustang” in my … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, play performances, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, self esteem, Student alumni, summer camp, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 54 Comments

How to Teach a Child to Become a Superhero

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Jennie

Superheroes.  Every child wants to be a Superhero.  Ask a child, “What does a Superhero do?” and you will hear everything from “save the day” to “help people” to “get the bad guys.”  These are good things, and Superheros are … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, picture stories, self esteem, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 88 Comments