Category Archives: Nature

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

An Eric Carle Trilogy

Posted on August 19, 2021 by Jennie

Surely, The Very Hungry Caterpillar was here.   Words to live by.   The sun – Eric Carle’s most immortalized art. Jennie

Posted in art, children's books, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Nature, Quotes, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 61 Comments

Moments #3

Posted on August 10, 2021 by Jennie

Moments #2 were sunsets, grandchildren, and what happens in my classroom.  My final ‘moments’ post, Moments #3, is looking up, looking down, and looking out. Rainbow around the sun yesterday at noon Rainbows under water in my pool Thank you … Continue reading →

Posted in E.B. White, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Nature, Quotes, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 57 Comments

Moments #2

Posted on August 6, 2021 by Jennie

Moments #1 happened in my backyard on a beautiful day.  I paid attention to the world around me, up high and down low.  Moments #2 (below) goes far deeper into the importance of little things, and how they really become … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, geography, Inspiration, joy, Learning About the World, Nature, patriotism, picture books, play performances, preschool, quilting, summer camp, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 87 Comments

Moments #1

Posted on August 3, 2021 by Jennie

Never take for granted the little moments. Look up.  See what is right there.  It won’t last, but the moment is there.  Now. Nature in all her beauty and color is a living art show, waiting to be seen. Look … Continue reading →

Posted in Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , | 66 Comments