Category Archives: Writing

A Letter From My Pen Pal

Posted on January 29, 2024 by Jennie

Dear Friends, You can imagine what it was like for me to get this letter in the mail. I hope you get goosebumps, or get teary, or have a lump in your throat when you read this. Dear Jennie, Happy … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, Love, Writing, young children | Tagged , , , | 68 Comments

Happy Anniversary

Posted on February 18, 2023 by Jennie

It’s always a nice surprise when a WP anniversary is announced. Happy Anniversary with WordPress.com! You registered on WordPress.com 9 years ago. Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging.

Posted in Writing | Tagged | 55 Comments

Pen Pal Valentines

Posted on February 5, 2023 by Jennie

Valentines for our pen pals who live far away in England and Michigan, love and friendship made by hand. Jennie

Posted in art, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, Writing | Tagged , , | 37 Comments

A Smile Says it All – The Written Word, and Reading

Posted on September 29, 2022 by Jennie

My pen-pal is reading my letter.  Connecting with a child is a wondrous thing.  When that connection is cemented in written words and reading aloud, it gives the child an enormous boost in emotional development and confidence.  Suddenly the world … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Jim Trelease, literacy, reading, reading aloud, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 58 Comments

Pen-Pal Explosion

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Jennie

Our Pen-Pal Wall Back in April, when school was celebrating children around the world, it struck me that reaching out to other children would be a wonderful thing to do.  We could write letters, send cards, get to know each … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Learning About the World, literacy, preschool, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , | 45 Comments

Picture Stories, Storytelling, and Writing Letters

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Jennie

Learning begins with language, building words upon words.  The more words children hear, the more they learn, and the better they do in school.  All of this leads up to reading readiness.  So, if I can give children hundreds and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, preschool, School, storytelling, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 78 Comments

Parent Newsletter, Robots, TED Talk

Posted on February 7, 2022 by Jennie

One of the hardest things this school year has been communicating with parents.  That all important face-to-face greeting and conversation, every day at drop-off and pick-up, is limited to distancing in the school lobby while wearing masks.  We Zoom, write … Continue reading →

Posted in Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture stories, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 74 Comments

Gloria Trick-Or-Treating Through the Years

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Jennie

After Halloween and trick-or-treat, children need to reminisce.  Of course they do!  They write picture stories about their adventures on Halloween night.  We talk about costumes and candy.  Remembering the good times is important. When a child talked about being … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Halloween, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , | 66 Comments

1,000 Blog Posts

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Jennie

What a big surprise! 1,000 POSTS Congratulations on writing 1000 posts on A Teacher’s Reflections!

Posted in Writing | Tagged , | 72 Comments

E.B. White Book Signing

Posted on October 24, 2021 by Jennie

This weekend was special for me. E.B. White’s grandniece hosted a book signing. She signed my two copies of “Charlotte’s Web”.   Her first edition copy, gifted to her by E.B (Uncle Andy) was on display. Also on display was … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Death and dying, E.B. White, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, reading, reading aloud, Writing | Tagged , , , | 74 Comments