Category Archives: wonder

The White Feather

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Jennie

Eagles, specifically the bald eagle, is our unit of study. The live video cam was on.  We watched a mother eagle in her nest taking care of two eggs. A child said, “Jennie, you have a white feather in your … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 60 Comments

Gloria’s Excellent Adventure

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Jennie

Gloria often goes home with a child on the weekend.  She has a bag, a quilt, and a journal. She is ready for anything, from graduations to soccer games, to holiday celebrations.  It didn’t used to be that way, until … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 64 Comments

Life Lessons – 101

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Jennie

A few years after I got my feet wet teaching, I read Robert Fulghum’s book, All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten.  That had a profound influence on my career.  His opening essay seemed to take all … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, preschool, Quotes, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 71 Comments

A Baby Bird Who Thinks I’m Her Mother

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Jennie

There she was on the playground, a tiny baby bird who could not yet fly.  The children saw her first.  Above was an enormous tree.  The branches were far out of reach.  If there was a nest way up there, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Mother Nature, Nature, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 67 Comments

Rainbows and Thunder

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Jennie

On the second day of school Thunder rumbled at the end of the day.  Little Emmett and I were the last ones at school. What’s that? Thunder I don’t like thunder Thunder is only a noise.  It can’t hurt you. … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Mother Nature, Nature, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 73 Comments

Mister Rogers and Back-To-School

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Jennie

It’s back-to-school week for teachers.  We’re moving across the street to a new location for one year while our school building will undergo a long overdue renovation.  Moving is hard.  Starting a new school year is hard.  We’re in our … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, geography, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Quotes, self esteem, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 84 Comments

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 8

Posted on August 24, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 7, I told the story of the huge tree that almost fell over on our neighbor’s house.  The Fire Chief in his big red fire truck, and the Tree Man in his cherry picker truck added plenty of real … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 55 Comments

Two Moons, Two Jane Yolen Books

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Jennie

The year was 1987.  I had been teaching preschool for three years.  I was immersed in children’s books, reading the great ones and the new ones.  That was the year I became picky about books, because what I read aloud … Continue reading →

Posted in Author interview, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, Inspiration, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 81 Comments

My Summer Children

Posted on August 12, 2019 by Jennie

Children are a wonder. Nature is a wonder, too. Both grow, with the help of loving adults. I take care of my ‘summer children.’ My eyes are witness to life, and sometimes death.  I see beauty, and I am humbled … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 51 Comments

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 7

Posted on August 11, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 6, I turned off the lights to tell a story, “The Halloween Story.”  Lights off can be as bonding as snuggling, and definitely an attention grabber.  The lesson learned was being brave, and how scary things might not be … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Mother Nature, Nature, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 61 Comments