Category Archives: Inspiration

Welcome, Gloria!

Posted on October 20, 2024 by Jennie

Gloria made her classroom debut.  We don’t have returning students from last year in the class, so she was all new.  For everyone. You could have heard a pin drop. It was hard to get Gloria to look, much less … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Gloria, Heart, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 70 Comments

A Magical Evening at School

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Jennie

Tonight was magical!  Eating a pizza dinner together was a great way for families to get to know each other in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.  Children played, parents laughed, and teachers smiled.  Thank you, Aqua Room families! When dinner … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Halloween, Inspiration, jack-o-lanterns, wonder | Tagged , , | 54 Comments

Charlotte’s Web – Digging Deeper

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Jennie

This is a post from many years ago.  After writing about reading-aloud Charlotte’s Web, I wanted to share much more about this wonderful book – specifically E.B. White and my personal connection. I read aloud every day in my classroom, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 65 Comments

Reading Aloud Charlotte’s Web

Posted on October 5, 2024 by Jennie

I am reading aloud Charlotte’s Web to my preschool class.  It’s the first chapter book I read every year.  Yes, a chapter book, with preschoolers.  Picture books are a given, multiple times throughout the day, but why a chapter book with young … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , | 76 Comments

Joy is the Magic Word – For Everyone

Posted on September 18, 2024 by Jennie

This re-post is a letter to teachers.  It’s the foundation of connecting with children, and teaching, and making a difference. Frankly, it is a life lesson.  It’s all about how we see things – our outlook and attitude. Dear Teachers, … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Heart, Inspiration, joy, Love | Tagged , , , | 80 Comments

Best Picture Books This Summer

Posted on September 8, 2024 by Jennie

It’s not often I discover a terrific new picture book. This summer I hit the jackpot. The Yellow Bus, by Loren Long Loren Long is a great author and illustrator.  His book, Otis, about a farm tractor and a cow is … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture books | Tagged , , , , , | 64 Comments

DogTown

Posted on September 7, 2024 by Jennie

I just finished reading one of the best books, DogTown, by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko, and had to share my excitement. It’s friendship, bravery, loss, humor, and heart.  Oh, is it ever heart. “Your heart is a muscle,” I told … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Dogs, Expressing words and feelings, Heart, Inspiration, literacy, Love, reading, robots, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 28 Comments

A Children’s Book in the Sky – Swimmy

Posted on August 31, 2024 by Jennie

And there it was, flying high like a quiet beauty. “Swimmy” My beloved picture book. The first book I read aloud to my preschoolers, forty years ago. Jennie

Posted in children's books, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, picture books, wonder | Tagged , , | 56 Comments

READ

Posted on August 24, 2024 by Jennie

My two favorite READ posters from Literary Hub @ lithub.com Dolly Parton has done more for putting books into the hands of children than anyone. Bless you, Dolly. Look at the books she is reading! Every Very Hungry Caterpillar Day is … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 64 Comments

Winged Victory

Posted on August 17, 2024 by Jennie

The plants and flowers are thriving, all but the little guy in the back, spreading his ‘wings’ and trying to grow. Winged Victory is growing a baby flower. Winged Victory is the end of summer and summer camp, watching children … Continue reading →

Posted in children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, Nature, picture books, Quotes, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 68 Comments