Category Archives: preschool

The Importance Of Play

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Jennie

We all hear that play is important for children.  I know it’s important.  It’s their work; how they learn to make friends, negotiate, solve problems with objects, and solve problems with other children.  Play is having fun, and it’s also … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Kindness, Play, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 72 Comments

Halloween Parent Email

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Jennie

An email from a parent, to all the families, late last night: Hello! I wanted to share this moment from today: while we were trick-or-treating at the library today I lost sight of Luella (truth be told, I was in … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, preschool, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 36 Comments

Halloween at School

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Jennie

Halloween at school is Pajama Day!  Everyone wears PJs, teachers included.  Of course there’s a (wonderful) method behind our madness.  Costumes can be scary for some children, and how cool is it to wear your pajamas to school! We also … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Halloween, Imagination, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 37 Comments

‘Friday Night Lights’ With My Preschooler

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Jennie

Thank you, Wesley.  I was thrilled to come to your high school football game. Children are precious.  I’m the lucky one when they come into my class.  And when they leave, they never really leave, because they are a part … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, preschool, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

Language, Literacy, and Storytelling – Part 4

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Jennie

In Part 3, I shared proof of the powerful and positive effects of storytelling, through the story of Cuban cigars and their high quality – thanks to la lectura.  I am also happy to report that the 12th grade English teacher from … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 52 Comments

Making Memories at School

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Jennie

There is something exciting, magical about this time of year.  When the sun goes down and children are helping their families to carve a pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern, memories are made.  Imagine being three and four years old, at school … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Halloween, Imagination, jack-o-lanterns, preschool, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 35 Comments

Nature on the Playground

Posted on October 6, 2018 by Jennie

The last flowers of summer, strong and tall. A playground in itself for butterflies and bees. A wonder of discovery for children. Nature is the greatest teacher. Every day the playground at school is chocked full of something to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, joy, Mother Nature, Nature, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 68 Comments

Language, Literacy, and Storytelling – Part 2

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Jennie

In Part 1, I talked about growing readers, reading aloud, and chapter reading.  I talked about how language, and the number of words a child hears is critical to academic success in school.  And I took language to the next … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, picture stories, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

A New Year of Reading Charlotte’s Web

Posted on September 23, 2018 by Jennie

Every year I start chapter reading with my preschool class on ‘day one’.  And, the first book I read is Charlotte’s Web.  We have barely had three weeks of school and children are totally hooked.  They adore Wilbur and laugh at … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Learning About the World, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

A Snapshot in My Classroom This Week

Posted on September 21, 2018 by Jennie

Teachers read aloud to children – all the time. Children model what they see. Reading is pleasure. Jennie

Posted in behavior, books, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 46 Comments