Category Archives: Learning About the World

Kings and Queens, Writing Letters, Doctor Dolittle, and Pfizer

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Jennie

We just finished a wonderful unit on Kings and Queens at school.  What child doesn’t want to be a king or queen, live in a castle, and dream of dragons? Of course things took a turn – quite a turn. … Continue reading →

Posted in art, children's books, Death and dying, England, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Learning About the World, picture books, picture stories, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 54 Comments

The Sky, and Really Talking

Posted on July 27, 2020 by Jennie

A hot night and a beautiful sky. We dangled our feet in the water and looked up. The wonder and conversation began. The quarter moon a few days ago is now a half moon. Did the first caveman watch the … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, Learning About the World, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 46 Comments

Underground Library Society

Posted on July 3, 2020 by Jennie

What would you do if a beloved book, rich in meaning and literature, were to be banned, gone forever? Would you vow to memorize the book in order to save it? I would. When Charles French, a professor of English … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Diversity, E.B. White, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Learning About the World, Nature, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 88 Comments

Earth Day – “What a Wonderful World”

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Jennie

Earth Day is the day to give back to our earth, our world. When we take care of our earth, the earth takes care of us, and we have a wonderful world. “What a Wonderful World” I read the book … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Learning About the World, Mother Nature, music, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 36 Comments

The Past Two Weeks – School Then and Now, Part 1

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Jennie

I am missing the children.  I know they are missing me.  Learning will always happen, these tender moments won’t.  In the past two weeks our class has completely changed.  Yet, change can be a good thing.  Resilience is born.  Let … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, geography, Inspiration, Learning About the World, music, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 80 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

Art and Music and Italy

Posted on March 15, 2019 by Jennie

We are learning about Italy, which is just perfect as we prepare for our annual Art Show. It’s only a few days into the learning, and already we are bursting at the seams in the best of ways.  Here is … Continue reading →

Posted in art, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Learning About the World, music, picture books, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

The Wisdom of Mister Rogers – Part 1

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Jennie

I had the good fortune to watch Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on television with my children in the 80’s.  I also had the good fortune to hear Fred Rogers speak at a national teacher’s conference in the 90’s.  He was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Kindness, Learning About the World, Love, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 88 Comments

A New Year of Reading Charlotte’s Web

Posted on September 23, 2018 by Jennie

Every year I start chapter reading with my preschool class on ‘day one’.  And, the first book I read is Charlotte’s Web.  We have barely had three weeks of school and children are totally hooked.  They adore Wilbur and laugh at … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Learning About the World, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

The Big Sky – Lucky Me, Lucky You

Posted on July 15, 2018 by Jennie

The Big Sky.  That’s what I call my view from my backyard.  Every time I see this beauty of nature I remember meeting a brilliant and kind woman from Beijing.  She had just been hired by the company my husband … Continue reading →

Posted in geography, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Learning About the World, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 69 Comments