Category Archives: Teaching young children

Rekindling American Pride

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Jennie

The perfect book.  Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus captures the heart of America.  The stunning illustrations by Kadir Nelson make the simple text explode with meaning.  It is history: White Rows.  White Rows When I turned to this page, … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, geography, history, Inspiration, patriotism, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Last Day of Camp

Posted on August 21, 2017 by Jennie

Summer Camp is bonding.  It’s a memory builder.  The little things stick and accumulate, and become part of a big piece.  And, that big piece is important; it shapes the good stuff, what really matters, like developing a sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, play performances, self esteem, Singing, summer camp, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 63 Comments

No Words Needed

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Jennie

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.  Knowledge is limited.  Imagination encircles the world.” – Albert Einstein- And, a picture really is worth a thousand words~that light the fire of imagination.  What if there were books that could do just that? … Continue reading →

Posted in David Wiesner, Early Education, Einstein, Eric Carle, Imagination, picture books, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 78 Comments

Peace, The Real Peace

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Jennie

I talk about peace often in my classroom.  Well, that’s partially true.  When children talk about peace, I jump right in. They have a lot to say. We adults should listen more. Years ago, when I first had the the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, Kindness, Peace, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 95 Comments

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