Category Archives: Nature

There Are Never Enough Sunsets

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Jennie

In New England, winter sunsets happen around 4:30 PM.  This is today’s sunset at school.  Typically we are outside on the playground at this time.  Today we were inside.  When I saw the sunset’s pink and yellow colors, looking out … Continue reading →

Posted in Mother Nature, Nature, preschool, wonder | Tagged , , | 70 Comments

The Morning After the Snow- Memories of “Katy and the Big Snow”, a Classic Children’s Book

Posted on January 8, 2022 by Jennie

At last the sun appeared, shining brightly. Yesterday’s first snow was in full glory. The first thing that popped into my head was, of course, a children’s book.  I wrote this post years ago, and it is as poignant today … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, geography, Inspiration, Math, Nature, picture books, preschool, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 101 Comments

First Snow

Posted on January 7, 2022 by Jennie

The sun is setting on the new fallen snow Large pines rest their snow laden boughs, ready for a winter’s night. Night falls and the young trees gleam, wearing snow like children who were sledding and playing outside today. First … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, preschool, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , | 63 Comments

Fire and Ice

Posted on December 26, 2021 by Jennie

Ice storm on Christmas Day It lasted…and lasted. The only thing to do was start a fire. Fire and Ice, Football, and Leftovers. Life is Good. Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , | 65 Comments

Best Children’s Christmas Books – and a New One

Posted on December 21, 2021 by Jennie

Red and Lulu, by Matt Tavares is the story of two cardinals who live in a mighty evergreen tree.  They love their home, their tree.  Best of all, they love it when winter arrives and Christmas carolers sing close by.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Giving thanks, Inspiration, literacy, Nature, picture books, preschool, reading, young children | Tagged , , | 64 Comments

An Arcing Contrail Against a Full Moon

Posted on December 20, 2021 by Jennie

At school, December has been a month of learning about the planets, stars, and light.  We have watched a video of the Atlantis Space Shuttle launch in 1985, and hoped to see the new James Webb telescope launch into space.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Learning About the World, Nature, Quotes, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 48 Comments

Terrific Children’s Books – #5

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Jennie

Children’s Books #1 – #4 have been about the all-important things that children need – kindness, giving, empathy… those social and emotional skills.  #5 is two books that I discovered at the Eric Carle Museum last month.  I always find great books … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Early Education, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, Nature, picture books, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments

November

Posted on November 22, 2021 by Jennie

November arrives with glorious color, splendor in the leaves on trees. The colors that began to flame in October are finally brilliant, vibrant when November comes calling. There are days of balmy temperatures and warm breezes. November is saying come … Continue reading →

Posted in Death and dying, Dogs, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Love, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 80 Comments

What Do Children Think?

Posted on November 7, 2021 by Jennie

It’s the last hurrah.  Fall is hanging on to its beautiful colors like a child playing in piles of leaves, or carefully making a bouquet of bright colored leaves.  That’s what children do when they are struck by wonder.  And, … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 115 Comments

The End, and Also The Beginning

Posted on August 31, 2021 by Jennie

Every moment outside when summer ends is a gift.  I hang on tight.  I listen to the crickets.  I often think of E.B. White when he wrote “Charlotte’s Web.”  He knew how precious those last days of summer are.  He … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, literacy, Nature, Quotes, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , | 79 Comments