Category Archives: Mother Nature

The Purple Snapdragon

Posted on July 14, 2020 by

Dear Purple Snapdragon, Your stalk grew too tall. You fell over every day. I cradled you and propped you up. Nothing worked.  Nothing helped. Finally I let you go. I put you in the garden to fend for yourself. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, self esteem, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Kindergarten Means “Garden of Children”

Posted on July 11, 2020 by

My garden is a new venture every year.  We bought an older home with an established flower garden in 2002.  When summer arrived I couldn’t wait to see what  would bloom.  It was a joy to discover new flowers.  Since … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, preschool, self esteem, Teaching young children, The Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 76 Comments

Music and Beauty

Posted on May 17, 2020 by

“The Hills are Alive With the Sound of Music.” Music fills the soul. When atop a hill, on a farm, surrounded by the glory of nature as far as the eye can see, all is good. Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, geography, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Mother Nature, music, Nature, Singing, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 55 Comments

Earth Day – “What a Wonderful World”

Posted on April 22, 2020 by

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 Tree, The Moon, and The Rainbow

Posted on December 11, 2019 by

Leaving school this evening I was greeted by a full moon and a glistening tree. Together. They were one. They spoke to each other. They spoke to me. This tree is a giver, at least to me. Last fall it … Continue reading →

Posted in E.B. White, Giving, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 60 Comments

A Baby Bird Who Thinks I’m Her Mother

Posted on September 13, 2019 by

There she was on the playground, a tiny baby bird who could not yet fly.  The children saw her first.  Above was an enormous tree.  The branches were far out of reach.  If there was a nest way up there, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Mother Nature, Nature, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 67 Comments

Rainbows and Thunder

Posted on September 5, 2019 by

On the second day of school Thunder rumbled at the end of the day.  Little Emmett and I were the last ones at school. What’s that? Thunder I don’t like thunder Thunder is only a noise.  It can’t hurt you. … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Mother Nature, Nature, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 73 Comments

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 7

Posted on August 11, 2019 by

In Part 6, I turned off the lights to tell a story, “The Halloween Story.”  Lights off can be as bonding as snuggling, and definitely an attention grabber.  The lesson learned was being brave, and how scary things might not be … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Mother Nature, Nature, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 61 Comments

Last Night

Posted on July 16, 2019 by

The Last Night Jennie

Posted in geography, Inspiration, joy, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , | 46 Comments

Home Is Where the Heart Is

Posted on June 22, 2019 by

A new pool fence. Today we started the work to hang fish and plant flowers. Thank goodness we took the time to look up. Clouds were putting on a show. They were saying hello, and thank you for being outside. … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, joy, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 85 Comments