Category Archives: Teaching young children

Gloria’s Necklace, Part 1

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Jennie

Today was not a good day.  Everything broke.  It started with the key to our favorite game, Cranium Cariboo.  We call it “The Ball Game”.  It is THE game, and of course it’s no longer made.  The purple key to … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, joy, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 64 Comments

Roots

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Jennie

My artist friend at Mountain Roots Studio in Asheville, North Carolina, makes trees out of twisted wire.  Her trees have deep, pronounced roots.  I’ve always liked that.  Roots.  That’s where it all begins.  Without roots we have nothing. I liken … Continue reading →

Posted in art, behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, preschool, self esteem, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 67 Comments

A Free ‘Oral Vaccine’ for Literacy

Posted on January 12, 2020 by Jennie

Yes, there really is a free oral vaccine for literacy.  It is reading aloud.  No, not reading.  Reading aloud.  Because, in order to become a reader (and a lifelong reader) you have to hear the words – first – over … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 67 Comments

Early Morning Dad

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Jennie

Bright and early, Dad and his son arrive at school to play in my classroom before classes begin. No morning rush. Putting a puzzle together for a short while is far more important. I long to go back in time … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 74 Comments

Gloria’s Holiday, a Final Adventure

Posted on January 3, 2020 by Jennie

Today Gloria’s journal was delivered to the class with a final entry, her adventures over Thanksgiving, snow days, and the build up to Christmas.  I promised her I would share it.  She was very excited.  Of course it was hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving thanks, Gloria, Inspiration, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 57 Comments

Gloria’s Happy New Year

Posted on January 3, 2020 by Jennie

Taking Gloria home for a weekend is a big deal for children.  Taking her home for the holidays is an even bigger deal.  Gloria spent Christmas and New Years with Landon and Savannah.  She returned today, to be greeted by … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Kindness, Love, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 45 Comments

“Starry Night” Continues

Posted on December 31, 2019 by Jennie

The walls in my classroom are mostly filled with children’s art, as it should be.  Gone are the flashy colors and cute teacher decorations.  I learned long ago they are more of a distraction than anything else to children.  My … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, joy, Love, museums, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 78 Comments

The Real Meaning of Christmas

Posted on December 22, 2019 by Jennie

Our astronaut / veteran / Navy Captain / pen-pal has been ill and hospitalized.  I had to tell the children.  Life can throw you a bunch of curves, and learning how handle adversity is a life lesson.  That’s why I … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, military, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 81 Comments

The Best Children’s Christmas Books

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Jennie

This is a repost of my favorite Christmas books.  Every year they grow stronger, because children love them.  These are the books children and adults want to read over and over again.  That’s why they’re the best.  Please, go to … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 69 Comments

Joy, at the End of the Day

Posted on December 14, 2019 by Jennie

It’s Friday at 5:00 PM.  We’ve had a full day (and week) at school.  In the last hour we painted a gigantic box that will become a lunar module next week and fly to the moon. Yesterday was the Cold … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, joy, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 77 Comments