Category Archives: storytelling

The Legacy of Milly the Quilter- a Series of Stories

Posted on June 30, 2018 by

Milly the quilter, a beloved friend to children in my classroom (and to me!) for ages, and the creator of many quilts designed by the children and hanging in places of prominence, has recently passed away.  Her last words to … Continue reading →

Posted in Death and dying, Early Education, quilting, storytelling | Tagged , , , , , , | 65 Comments

What Happens at Chapter Reading, Part II

Posted on June 8, 2018 by

Our final chapter reading book this year at school is Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  The last chapter that we read, ‘Indians in the House’, sparked intense questions and conversations about Indians and people who are … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Death and dying, Early Education, Family, history, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Train Memories, My Childhood, and My Grandmother

Posted on May 12, 2018 by

In light of National Train Day today, and Mother’s Day tomorrow, this is a beloved repost of my train memories and my grandmother.  Summer evenings on the porch are quiet, except for the occasional  sound of a train whistle in … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, history, Love, storytelling, trains, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 76 Comments

My Mother’s Fairy Tales

Posted on March 6, 2018 by

My mother gave me her childhood book of fairy tales when my children were young.  This wasn’t a book she had ever shown me, or my brother and sisters.  I think it was my teaching and my newfound love of … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, reading, self esteem, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 84 Comments

Darth Vader, Marines, and Reading Aloud

Posted on December 28, 2017 by

I watched a TED Talks with actor Adam Driver who plays Darth Vader’s son in the last two Star Wars movies.  He is one great actor!  The new Star Wars movie (saw it yesterday) is outstanding. What he does outside … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Imagination, Inspiration, military, play performances, reading, reading aloud, storytelling, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 39 Comments

A Gift To Me From My “Family”

Posted on December 20, 2017 by

Today our Room Parents arrived with gifts for the teachers, from all the families in our class.  Children were excited to watch their teachers tear open paper and uncover a gift.  Rarely am I at a loss for words.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Family, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 70 Comments

Why Write Letters and Picture Stories?

Posted on October 29, 2017 by

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, Imagination, picture stories, reading, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 70 Comments