Category Archives: Singing

Rock and Roll (and Alexa) Save the Day

Posted on May 14, 2019 by Jennie

When there’s something wrong In your neighborhood Who you gonna call?  Alexa! “Alexa, play ‘Shout’ by the Isley Brothers.” Music is the universal language of mankind.  –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow- Jennie

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Inspiration, joy, music, Quotes, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 41 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 2

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 1, children embraced the song “This Land is Your Land” as their own.  They sang the song every day, multiple times a day.  By the time winter arrived, they had ‘taken over’, and constantly used the book This Land … Continue reading →

Posted in America, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, music, patriotism, Peace, picture books, quilting, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 59 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 1

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Jennie

And to my surprise, the children have driven the making of yet another quilt. Over the past ten years, my preschool class has designed quilts.  Each one materialized because of something the children were passionate about.  When they couldn’t get … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, geography, history, patriotism, picture books, preschool, quilting, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 68 Comments

Best Job Ever – Story Epilogue

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Jennie

Since that wonderful day last week, when a child asked me to sing “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles, there has been more.  The music exploded in ways I never expected. Well, it was more than the … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, Love, music, picture books, reading aloud, Singing, The Arts, The Beatles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 71 Comments

Children’s Questions and a Serenade

Posted on March 24, 2019 by Jennie

I finished reading aloud the chapter book, The Story of Doctor Dolittle.  This is a favorite book with children, and I discourage watching the movie which makes silliness out of an excellent story. The animals are the characters, each with … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, music, reading aloud, reading aloud, Singing, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 80 Comments

The ‘Morning Star’

Posted on January 6, 2019 by Jennie

Originally posted on S'amusing:
Photo of planet Venus (tiny spec) above town high school 12/20/18 The students and I have been fortunate to have the planet Venus looking down at us as we make our way to school, or,…

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Nature, Singing, Uncategorized, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

Veterans Day for Preschoolers

Posted on November 10, 2018 by Jennie

Veterans Day in my classroom is about far more than honoring our veterans.  For preschoolers it is an introduction to the American flag and our country.  It is history, geography, and patriotic songs.  What started out as a day to … Continue reading →

Posted in American flag, children's books, geography, Giving thanks, military, picture books, Singing, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 49 Comments

9/11 – Kindness Peace and Love Day

Posted on September 11, 2018 by Jennie

9/11 at school is Kindness, Peace, and Love Day.  How do we help young children honor the brave people on 9/11?  By remembering and celebrating how people were united in brotherhood and came together to help each other.  We talk … Continue reading →

Posted in American flag, books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, Peace, preschool, Singing, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 39 Comments

Amber Waves of Grain

Posted on September 3, 2018 by Jennie

My view every evening is this: As the sun goes in and out, and the breeze flows across the open grass, I can only think of “amber waves of grain.”  I see “spacious skies” every evening.  And some evenings I … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, music, Nature, Singing | Tagged , , , , | 39 Comments

The Autoharp

Posted on September 2, 2018 by Jennie

I had just met the children.  The classroom was overflowing with eager parents and not-so-eager children.  New + big + different = scary. For fifteen minutes we looked at each other, me smiling and children with big worried eyes.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, music, preschool, Singing, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 69 Comments