Category Archives: Teaching young children

Death and Dying, and Chapter Reading

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Jennie

I finished reading our first chapter book of the school year, Charlotte’s Web.  Children were engrossed in this book because it is a story about the heart, and my most important job is educating the heart.  As such, they began … Continue reading →

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Singing a Peace Song

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Jennie

Singing and music with children is transforming.  It happens every time; as soon as I pull out the autoharp or ‘song jar’ I have a classroom of children who are craving the experience of music and singing.  I’m not a … Continue reading →

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Writing to an Author

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Jennie

I write and I read.  When I read something that knocks my socks off, I write to the author.  This doesn’t happen often.  Perhaps that’s because it takes quite a lot to knock my socks off.  Yet when I do … Continue reading →

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Jennie and Milly the Quilter

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Jennie

I had dinner with Milly the quilter tonight.  She has been such an important part of my classroom over the years.  Her quilts are works of art, and when she quilts with children somehow she creates a magic connection that … Continue reading →

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Marinating Vocabulary

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Jennie

‘Marinating Vocabulary’.  I heard Pam Allyn, a guru on reading and reading-aloud, speak those words last week.  They hit me like a stone.  Each time I read aloud from a chapter book those words do far more than go into … Continue reading →

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Why Do I Write Picture Stories and Read Chapter Books?

Posted on September 20, 2015 by Jennie

My first project of the school year is writing picture stories with the children.  Language is critical to learning in all academic areas, so its only natural that creating picture stories is an excellent tool for teachers. Its a fun … Continue reading →

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Dear Teachers, Joy is the Magic Word

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Jennie

Dear Teachers, As you start your new school year there is one word that will get you through the uncertainty and the worry.  It’s the same word that is the heart of educating.  That word is ‘joy’.  No, it’s not … Continue reading →

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My Summer of Reading

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Jennie

This summer I immersed myself in great children’s books and quite a few young adult (YA) books that I’d never read, for a host of reasons.  So many wonderful books for older children were written when my children were very … Continue reading →

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The Peace Quilt; Yet Another Story

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Jennie

Every so often (and more often than not) I’m surprised with an email about a former student.  Typically it comes from the parent, regaling a wonderful experience with their child, directly related to something from their days in my classroom  … Continue reading →

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Twists and Turns at Museums, Books and Art

Posted on August 16, 2015 by Jennie

A trip to a museum is much like climbing into a great book with a storyline of unexpected twists and turns.  Yesterday was no exception.  I visited the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts.  It has the best bookstore I … Continue reading →

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