Category Archives: Teaching young children

Meeting an Author

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Jennie

Last week I met Eric Carle. Let me say it a little louder, “Last week I met Eric Carle!”  The man, a world renowned children’s author and illustrator, is 88 years old.  His history is fascinating.  So is he. My author … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Author interview, Early Education, Eric Carle, Leo Lionni, museums, picture books, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 73 Comments

Childhood, and Train Whistles, and My Grandmother

Posted on July 25, 2017 by Jennie

Summer evenings on the porch are quiet, except for the occasional  sound of a train whistle in the distance.  I love that sound.  When I was a little girl, a train whistle meant excitement and memories.  I was born and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, geography, history, Imagination, storytelling, Teaching young children, trains | Tagged , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

The Art Museum

Posted on July 20, 2017 by Jennie

Museums are always a source of wonder and inspiration for me.  I introduce art in a big way to my preschool class, so when I’m inspired, they are, too.  This week I visited the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 79 Comments

Being A Late Bloomer

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Jennie

I was a late bloomer.  It’s a term that is mostly used for flowers today.  Way back when, children who didn’t seem to grow as quickly as their peers were often called “late bloomers”.  I struggled to read.  I sucked … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Meeting our Sergeant Pen-Pal, At Last

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Jennie

Our pen-pal returned home from Afghanistan! It was quite a reunion.  After many months of corresponding with each other- sending giant letters, pictures, drawings, and care packages- Sergeant Curran walked into my classroom to meet the children.  They were so … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, military, patriotism, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 80 Comments

The Big Day, Milly & The Quilt

Posted on July 1, 2017 by Jennie

I travelled with Milly, the master quilter, to the Massachusetts State House in Boston this week.  We presented my classroom’s Peace Quilt to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.  What a day!  This quilt has been two years in the making, … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Imagination, Kindness, Peace, quilting, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 71 Comments

Graduations, and My Role Model

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Jennie

Graduations are over, and it’s a time that I reflect.  The school year has ended and children move on.  Actually, they move forward.  I know they do.  Because they come back and tell me wonderful things that are happening in their lives.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Kindness, Learning About the World, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 51 Comments

Last (and Best) Parent Newsletter of the Year

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Jennie

My final newsletter to parents.  I tell them in a nutshell everything that mattered; the best thirty minutes of the day that made children’s minds come alive and made their hearts beat.  And every day, every thirty minutes, it happened. … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Reading “Little House on the Prairie”, Then and Now

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Jennie

I have two stories to tell; both happened on the same day this week, yet they are fourteen years apart.  Every year my last chapter reading book at school is Little House on the Prairie.  Here is what happened: Story … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 58 Comments

“Gloria” On The Playground

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Jennie

Gloria is a dear classroom friend.  Well, that’s an understatement.  I have a hard time making my fingers type that she is a puppet, because she is the best thing that ever happened to my classroom.  She is the kind … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Kindness, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 37 Comments