Category Archives: The Arts

Milly – Part 2

Posted on July 18, 2021 by Jennie

In Part 1, I discovered a Peace Portal at a museum and recreated it in my classroom.  Peace became a big deal and very real to children.  When I saw quilts that were murals, I knew I had to make … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, The Arts, Writing, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 66 Comments

Milly – Part 1

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Jennie

Our “This Land is Your Land” quilt was the last quilt my class made. Let’s start at the beginning. How did quilting in my classroom even begin? It was a divergent pathway. Every good story has a great backstory.  To … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, Peace, preschool, quilting, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , | 53 Comments

The Real Start of Teaching the Fourth of July – Part 4

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Jennie

In Part 3, we made a giant sketch for the quilt based on what the children felt were important parts of the song and the book, “This Land is Your Land.”  Woody’s guitar, the church from the ‘sad page’, landmarks … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, picture books, preschool, quilting, Singing, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 67 Comments

The Real Start of Teaching the Fourth of July – Part 2

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Jennie

This piece is actually about the last quilt my class made. Bloggers have asked me to ‘finish the story’. Here is Part 2, with two more to follow. Over the summer I will go back to the beginning, how it … Continue reading →

Posted in America, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, geography, Gloria, Inspiration, music, picture books, quilting, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 51 Comments

The Art Show – Part 3 Finale

Posted on April 12, 2021 by Jennie

Every child is an artist. ~Pablo Picasso~ I dream my painting and then paint my dream. ~Vincent van Gogh~ Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt. ~Leonardo da Vinci~ Great art picks up where nature ends. ~Marc Chagall~ It … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Quotes, Teaching young children, The Arts, Uncategorized, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 78 Comments

The Art Show – Part 2

Posted on April 8, 2021 by Jennie

In Part 1 children were introduced to real artist tools, and also to music played with record albums on a record player.  Music inspires art.  It goes into your ears, then your brain and your heart.  Then it shoots out your fingers … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Gloria, Inspiration, joy, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 90 Comments

Music and The Art Show – Part 1

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Jennie

The children have been preparing for our annual Art Show, a major exhibit for the whole community.  It’s especially exciting this year, as last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid. How do you help children to think like Picasso … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Inspiration, music, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 82 Comments

Robots! Part 2

Posted on March 27, 2021 by Jennie

    Back in January, I stumbled across a video of dancing robots, from Boston Dynamics.  Not only did the children in my classroom fall in love with robots and music, they have since then begged to watch this video … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Math, music, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

A Tale of Two Dale Chihuly’s – Part 3

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Jennie

In Part 1, I discovered my first Dale Chihuly at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia.  In Part 2, I read aloud the poetry book my classroom wrote, inspired by the museum. A recent update: the museum is planning a new Peace exhibit … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Inspiration, museums, preschool, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , | 57 Comments

“Life Begins When You Get Back Up” – a Memorable Day at School

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Jennie

 Music brings joy to children. Books bring questions and thinking. Teachers bring love and answers. Today at school was a day I’ll always remember.  So will the children.  Emotions ran high.  In Dickens’ words, “It was the best of times, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, music, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, School, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , | 91 Comments