Category Archives: Inspiration

I Was There!

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Jennie

I was at the library the same day he was. It was his birthday, six years old at last, which means he can get his very own library card. He did! Look at his enormous smile. I was his preschool … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Inspiration, literacy, reading, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 74 Comments

Oscar the Otter, Pete Springer, and the Big Get Well Letter

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Jennie

Two things happened at the same time; fellow blogger Pete Springer received a pacemaker, and school began.  Here’s the connection- Pete visited my class two years ago all the way from California, and gifted the children Oscar the Otter.  It … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, preschool, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 74 Comments

School – Day One

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Jennie

I tossed and turned the night before school, as I always do every year. Will I remember the children I met last week? Will they remember me? Will we connect? I walked into school smiling at our Peace Dove. I … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Love, music, Peace, preschool, School, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 79 Comments

Summer Reading

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Jennie

As I was starting a blog post on the books I have read this summer, a parent sent me this photo: Two former students, one reading to the other – while at the pool! This photo is far more important … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, literacy, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, teaching, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 52 Comments

New Exhibits (and More) at the Eric Carle Museum

Posted on August 26, 2023 by Jennie

It finally struck me – while art museums hold beautiful collections of art, there is a big difference when it comes to the art and exhibits at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art – they tell a story. … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Eric Carle, Inspiration, museums, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 60 Comments

My Song Follow-Up Story

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Jennie

In my last blog post, I included a favorite song I sing with children, “The Sun and the Rain Make a Rainbow.”  I searched through YouTube to find the song- nothing.  So, I just sang it myself.  Fellow blogger Debby … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, preschool, Singing, Teaching young children, young children | Tagged , , | 73 Comments

The Sun and the Rain Make a Rainbow

Posted on August 19, 2023 by Jennie

Today’s weather was everything in dramatic fashion.  The morning brought torrential rains, including five tornadoes here in Massachusetts.  Tornadoes are rare up here.  Then, the sun came out.  Next, billowing thunderclouds began to form. We had to run errands, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, music, Nature, preschool, Quotes, wonder | Tagged , , | 78 Comments

Clouds

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Jennie

I’ve always loved looking at clouds, even as a child.  When we moved to New England I appreciated clouds even more.  Were they different or more beautiful?  No, I think it was me, especially the preschool teacher in me.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , | 66 Comments

Reading Again – At Last!

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Jennie

He has been unable to read for two years. The words and pages ‘move’ with his eye problems. As a result, he stopped reading books. He gave it another try. Seeing him reading again is a joy. I think he … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, literacy, reading | Tagged , , , | 49 Comments

More by the Pool – Bravery

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Jennie

Did you ever eat dinner in the pool? Not by the pool, in the pool. It happened like this… The children had been brave all afternoon, jumping onto rafts without adult hands, mastering super soakers, and playing in the deep … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, wonder, young children | Tagged , , | 51 Comments