Category Archives: preschool

Gloria, Elephant & Piggie, and the Leprechaun

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Jennie

Saint Patrick’s Day in the classroom We tried SO hard to catch that leprechaun.  It took three days to make a trap.  First we painted a box green, then we made rainbow ladders out of popsicle sticks and tunnels out … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Gloria, Imagination, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 59 Comments

We Got Mail!

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Jennie

Our pen pals in Michigan loved our valentines, and they wrote back.  That’s what pen pals do. They’re the MAC PACK.  How cool is that? Dear friends in the Aqua Room, Thank you for our Valentines.  We are so happy … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Kindness, literacy, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 51 Comments

Goodnight Moon – It’s a ‘Rap’

Posted on February 23, 2023 by Jennie

Before children learn to read, first they must hear the words.  It’s developmental, like learning to crawl before learning to walk.  The auditory piece, including singing, hits both the brain and the soul in learning.  In my preschool class, reading … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, music, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 48 Comments

My Mini Love Note

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Jennie

Big things come in little packages, and my mini love note couldn’t have made my heart any bigger. Happy Valentine’s Day! “Some people care too much, I think it’s called love.” ~Winnie the Pooh~ Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, preschool, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , | 63 Comments

My Teacher Lightbulb Moment – Part 2

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Jennie

In Part 1 I wrote about the moment a child and I smiled together, and how that was the start of my becoming a ‘real teacher’. Part 2 is how I continued, and how my teaching grew. I became ‘one’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, joy, Love, preschool, quilting, reading aloud, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 104 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Jennie

Happy Thanksgiving Our gigantic turkey From my school to your house, may you enjoy a turkey dinner with family and friends. Most importantly, may you enjoy loved ones and the many things to be thankful for. I am thankful for … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving thanks, preschool, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , | 65 Comments

My Teacher Lightbulb Moment – Part 1

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Jennie

Fellow blogger Don at Don Ostertag: Off Stage recently commented, “If only other teachers were children at heart.” It hit home with me, because that is when I became a ‘real’ teacher.  That’s when I found my heart.  No, that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, joy, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , | 98 Comments

Never Underestimate Children’s Creativity

Posted on November 17, 2022 by Jennie

I am still learning.  After 39 years of teaching preschool, I still learn from children.  Thank goodness!  Today was one of those days, or I should say one of those ‘moments’. It happened like this… We’re learning about woodland animals.  … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Diversity, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 71 Comments

Veterans Day at School

Posted on November 11, 2022 by Jennie

Today children thanked a veteran.  That in itself is a big deal, because the children are preschoolers.  In order to thank a veteran, I need to give children a context of understanding.  That starts with songs, and my preschoolers love … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, military, patriotism, picture books, preschool, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 66 Comments

Robots…Again!

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Jennie

Over the past two years children in my class have loved Boston Dynamics’ robots.  Well, that’s actually an understatement.  Children have been over the moon, and they have embraced every video from dancing to technology. A new year just began.  … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 61 Comments