Category Archives: Nature

Look Up, Look Down

Posted on July 25, 2020 by Jennie

We can all take a lesson from children.  They notice everything.  They look up, and they look down.  They stop to look, really look, and to wonder.  They remember what they see, and if an adult is around they ask … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Nature, summer camp, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 87 Comments

My Happy Garden of Children

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Jennie

Today the flowers in my garden, my children, are happy. You might spot a fish or two. They are the caretakers.       Jennie

Posted in Giving thanks, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , | 62 Comments

The Purple Snapdragon

Posted on July 14, 2020 by Jennie

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 , , , , | 63 Comments

Kindergarten Means “Garden of Children”

Posted on July 11, 2020 by Jennie

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 , , , , | 96 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 , , , , , | 89 Comments

Music and Beauty

Posted on May 17, 2020 by Jennie

“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 , , , , | 59 Comments

Children’s Words, Trees and a Poem – A Finale

Posted on March 11, 2020 by Jennie

I wrote about our Tree Walk on a windy day in Part 3.  This walk was just one part of the blog post on Children’s Words.  Little did I know at the time that the walk, and their words, would … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Expressing words and feelings, Nature, Poetry, preschool, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 46 Comments

A Walk Down Memory Lane – Photos Tell the Stories

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Jennie

I have been plugging away at deleting photos from my media library, because I am close to using up my available space.  I know, it’s only a photo, but as I scroll through the photos, every one has been a … Continue reading →

Posted in American flag, Author interview, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, history, Inspiration, military, Nature, picture books, play performances, preschool, quilting, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 103 Comments

The Tree, The Moon, and The Rainbow

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Jennie

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 Jennie

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