Category Archives: Inspiration

Book Bears

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Jennie

Book Bears started yesterday.  It’s my library reading group, mostly second graders.  Yesterday we met each other and  shared our favorite summer read.  ‘Meet and Greet’, with books.  Some children were nervous.  Some were outgoing.  I could see a wide disparity … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 85 Comments

Remembering 9/11 and Teaching Goodness

Posted on September 10, 2017 by Jennie

How do we deal with 9/11?  How do we honor and respect those who risked their lives?  How do we face a tragedy, and find goodness and strength?  Most importantly, how do we do this with young children? The tragic … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, patriotism, Peace, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 64 Comments

Summer of the Monkeys

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Jennie

Every summer I get lost in books.  Sometimes there is one that sticks with me for a long time.  A very long time.  This summer I read Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls.  I can’t let go of the words, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, reading | Tagged , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

Rekindling American Pride

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Jennie

The perfect book.  Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus captures the heart of America.  The stunning illustrations by Kadir Nelson make the simple text explode with meaning.  It is history: White Rows.  White Rows When I turned to this page, … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, geography, history, Inspiration, patriotism, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Meeting Yet Another Author

Posted on August 8, 2017 by Jennie

Mount Holyoke College in Western Massachusetts hosts children’s book authors, and recently Patricia MacLachlan was a speaker.  Remember Sarah, Plain and Tall?  It was the first book that made me cry as an adult.  Mandatory reading for my children when … Continue reading →

Posted in Author interview, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, Patricia MacLachlan, picture books, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 45 Comments

Peace, The Real Peace

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Jennie

I talk about peace often in my classroom.  Well, that’s partially true.  When children talk about peace, I jump right in. They have a lot to say. We adults should listen more. Years ago, when I first had the the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, Kindness, Peace, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 95 Comments

The Art Museum

Posted on July 20, 2017 by Jennie

Museums are always a source of wonder and inspiration for me.  I introduce art in a big way to my preschool class, so when I’m inspired, they are, too.  This week I visited the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 79 Comments