Category Archives: School

My Teacher Lightbulb Moment – Part 2

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

Gloria

Gloria has returned from the spa, looking refreshed and happy. She will spend the weekend with me at home, and meet the children at school next week. She is excited! Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Imagination, Kindness, Love, preschool, School, Teaching young children | Tagged | 53 Comments

The Final Letter

As soon as the school year is over and the dust has settled, my final letter to families is a reflection of the school year.  It takes families through the highlights so they can relive those moments and classroom experiences … Continue reading

Posted in American flag, art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, preschool, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 74 Comments

A Package From the White House!

My class loves singing, and this year “God Bless America” has been a favorite song.  How do I know?  Children sing it from the loft in the classroom, and when using the bathroom.  They sing it while building with toys, … Continue reading

Posted in America, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, military, patriotism, quilting, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 75 Comments

Picture Stories, Storytelling, and Writing Letters

Learning begins with language, building words upon words.  The more words children hear, the more they learn, and the better they do in school.  All of this leads up to reading readiness.  So, if I can give children hundreds and … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, preschool, School, storytelling, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 78 Comments

From Dinosaurs to the Stop Game

Today was one of those ‘moments’ in teaching, the ones that turn something small into something big.  It was a simple question, yet it opened a whole new world for children. It happened like this… Every day we have the … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, Learning About the World, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 86 Comments

The Joy of Teaching – Moments

Since we’re learning about France, we sing the ‘Days of the Week’ song in French.  Children are excited to add new words – real words in a foreign language – to a song they already know. The ‘Helper of the … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, School, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 69 Comments

Things Happen in Threes

Things certainly do happen in threes.  This week: 1)   The mask mandate at school was lifted. 2)  Gloria will now be allowed to go home with children for weekend visits.  Her last visit was two years ago.  This is her … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Gloria, Inspiration, preschool, School, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , | 56 Comments

Four Seasons of Our Wishtree

Last spring children made wishes and hung them onto a tree on the playground at school.  Wishes are important.  The tradition of a Wishtree is worldwide.  We were excited to make our very own.  Everyday those wishes would flutter, and … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, School, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , | 84 Comments

A Discovery!

Today was the kindergarten’s “100 Day Museum’”display in the library at school.  When children reach the 100 day milestone, they make a project at home, something that contains 100 objects.  Classes are invited to the ‘museum’.  We even had tickets … Continue reading

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, literacy, museums, School, Teaching young children | 50 Comments