The Story of Art – My Journey With Juliet

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Jennie

I write this journey backwards in time, as it tells a better story.

Juliet, fourteen years later.

Juliet noticed everything.  She loved to draw, and her pictures were detailed and beautiful.  Little did I know she had paid attention to our Starry Night poster in the classroom.  I always had art hanging, and Starry Night was a mainstay.  Where would we be without art?

When she went to MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) in New York, she saw her beloved Starry Night.  Her mom took this photo for me.

When Juliet was in sixth grade, the assignment was to paint one of the famous works of art.  Yes, she painted Starry Night.  Wow!


There is more – much more – that all started before Starry Night.
It happened like this…

After visiting the Bennington Museum in Vermont and seeing their display of Haitian quilts, I was thunderstruck.  We had just created a Peace Portal in the classroom, yet I could tell the children needed and wanted more.  I knew we could create a Peace Quilt.

It began with Juliet’s mom sketching out children’s ideas.

Juliet was eager to decorate the big drawing.


Ta-Dah!


When the quilt was finished, I compiled all the photos into a book.


Fast forward….

Juliet and her mom and sister visited.  It had been a long time since I had seen them.  Juliet’s mom had just repainted her Peace Dove in the parking lot.

After all the hugs and smiles (which took forever), I talked about the Peace Quilt.  We reminisced about making the drawing.  I pulled out the Creating a Peace Quilt book and read it aloud.  It was a walk down memory lane.

And then, the best.  I had saved that original drawing of the Peace Quilt.  I gave it to Janine, Juliet’s mom.  She was overcome.

The quilt hangs as a permanent display at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia.  Milly was the quilter who took the drawing and children’s ideas and made the quilt.

Juliet drew a picture of the quilt for Milly.  Every triangle along the border was in the exact color.  Her drawing was the greatest treasure Milly received.

Jennie

P.S. Milly made more quilts with the children, and they hang in places of prominence.  I have written many blog posts on Milly.

Posted in art, Inspiration, museums, Peace, quilting, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 67 Comments

I Was There!

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Jennie

I was at the library the same day he was.
It was his birthday, six years old at last,
which means he can get his very own library card.
He did!
Look at his enormous smile.
I was his preschool teacher.
I loved him, he loved me.
He was a napper, and often fell asleep during chapter reading.
And then it happened.
He sat up straight as an arrow when I read aloud
Little House on the Prairie.
The words connected, his brain was wired,
and he couldn’t get enough.
Words and stories, Jennie Stories, picture books,
and of course chapter reading became his #1.
This is why I read aloud, every day, with passion.
And, at the moment he got his library card.
I was there!

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Inspiration, literacy, reading, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 74 Comments

The Mystery Gifter

Posted on September 24, 2023 by Jennie

Remember my beloved 9/11 pin that I gifted to the granddaughter of a NYC firefighter, who fought bravely that terrible day?  Here is what happened:  9/11 – Learning and Giving, Today

The story doesn’t end there.

This week I went to the library for my Read-Aloud group.  I arrived early, and there was a card with a small package on the table.

I couldn’t imagine what is was, or why.  I opened the card to read a beautiful poem.

You treasured your pin
but felt the need to part
This new one’s framed in gold
Just like your heart.
Love Always,
A Former Aqua Roomer

I was dumbfounded at such a poem.  What beautiful words!  I opened the box.

And there was my pin – but better – in gold.

As soon as this happened my Read-Aloud group arrived.  I was still in a state of shock and wonder.  This was the first meeting of the year, and I didn’t know many of the children.  I immediately said, “You won’t believe what happened.  There is a mystery gift, right here.  Do you want to see?”

Of course they wanted to see!  Everyone was pressed against me as I read the poem and opened the box.  There was silence.  I told the children about my pin, and why I gave it away.  We talked about 9/11 for a bit, and then we read the poem again.  Children need poetry.

What a wonderful way to meet my new library reading group!

The question remains, who is the Former Aqua Roomer, the Mystery Gifter?  I asked the librarian and my fellow teachers.  Everyone had ideas, but no one knew.

That’s when it struck me – the pleasure of giving is far greater than the pleasure of receiving.  No wonder the Mystery Gifter wants to remain in stealth mode.  I get it.  Now I am smiling.  I want to be a Mystery Gifter, too.

Jennie

Posted in America, American flag, Giving, Giving thanks, patriotism | Tagged , , | 52 Comments

My Summer Book Reading

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Jennie

My summer book reading was absolutely wonderful.
Not only were the books terrific, the collection was broad,
from picture books to chapter reading,
to books for much older children (and adults.)

Can I pick a favorite?  Absolutely not.

Sea Dog, by Astrid Sheckles

I am a huge fan of her Hector Fox series of picture books, and this new book is just as wonderful.  Sea Dog‘s main character, Walter, is from a long family line of seafaring dogs, yet he is not seaworthy.  His real talent is is in baking his aunt’s recipes.  When Walter discovers a new recipe and brings it to town, the sea cake is a flop and he tosses it into the sea.  And so the adventure begins, deep under the sea, with Big Boris, a sea dragon, merpups, and the King.  The illustrations are as good as the text.

  Amanda in France, Fire in the Cathedral
by Darlene Foster

I treasure the Amanda series because within the pages, there is adventure, geography, and history, not to mention characters that bring into the story everything from conflict to giving.  I was especially interested in this Amanda book, as I learned far more about Notre Dame Cathedral’s devastating fire.  I couldn’t put this book down.

   Pax, by Sara Pennypacker

Pax is a fox, and his trusted boy is Peter.  Each chapter alternates between being told by Pax and by Peter.  Peter had raised Pax, and now he must take him back to the woods as his dad is leaving to go to war.  What Pax and Peter go through to find each other will leave you cheering and praying.  My favorite character is Vola who finds Peter with a broken leg.  She is bold, and their relationship helps Peter to heal the wounds of sorrow.  By the time I got to page 227 and read Vola’s words as Peter left, “Boy, I’m going to leave the porch door open”, I cried.

How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read?
by Jane Yolen

The ‘How Do Dinosaurs’ series is outstanding.  Each book has dinosaurs in conflict and doing the wrong thing – all in rhyming verse – and then doing what is right.  The illustrations are superb, depicting most dinosaurs.  Every child likes dinosaurs, rhyming words, and good and bad behavior.  Each year I donate a dinosaur book and stuffed dinosaur to many raffles.  Yes, it’s that good.

This is a Story, by John Schu

From a word, to a word on a page, to a page in a book, to a book on a shelf, to a library – each page depicts the simple evolution of words to libraries.  Then there is more – humans needing help, connecting books to readers, some with questions, ideas, imaginations, and hearts.  It is the library.  The words are sparse, spread out on the beautiful and plentiful illustrations.  Thank goodness.

Cress Watercress, by Gregory Maguire

Cress is a rabbit with a baby brother and a mother.  They have to leave their home and find another place to live after their dad doesn’t return one night.  The family is strong, yet Cress has much to learn in her life.  They move into a tree with a diverse group of tenants, including the landlord and superintendent.  This is a whole new life for Cress.  The book has plots and sub plots, with so many different characters.  I have to say the book is ‘Life-101’.  It has everything – adventure, love, worry, anger, fear, understanding, and giving – and is beautifully written.

  A Kitten in Gooseberry Park,
by Cynthia Rylant

The Gooseberry Park books are very popular.  I loved the first book in the series (which I will read aloud at the public library), and this book is delightful.  The characters have their own personalities, from the dog, to the bat, to the squirrel, to the wise hermit crab.  In this book, Murray the bat finds a lost kitten, which happens to be a bobcat, and the gang needs to find a way to get the kitten back to his home.

These books were a wonderful read, and I highly recommend them.  Remember, the best children’s books really aren’t just for children.

Jennie

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 76 Comments

Oscar the Otter, Pete Springer, and the Big Get Well Letter

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Jennie

Two things happened at the same time; fellow blogger Pete Springer received a pacemaker, and school began.  Here’s the connection- Pete visited my class two years ago all the way from California, and gifted the children Oscar the Otter.  It was clear the first week of school that Oscar is #1 in popularity.

I knew I had an opportunity to connect the two, and give children the tools to give ‘get well’ wishes to Oscar’s daddy – Pete.

Nothing beats a handwritten and decorated letter.

Today Pete emailed me:

Hi Jennie,

I hope you can get the photo to open. It was very sweet of you to send me the note and picture. Teaching the kids to think about others is one of the most important lessons we can teach our students. It’s never too early to start learning about empathy.

I enjoyed my wife’s confusion as she read the note. “Oscar’s daddy? Who’s that?”

“That’s me, Debbie!” 🤣

Please tell your class how much I appreciated their pictures and kindness!

Have a great weekend,

Pete

P.S. Say hi to Steve for me.

Jennie

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, preschool, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 74 Comments

9/11 – Learning and Giving, Today

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Jennie

Tonight, 9/11, 7:00 P.M.
Photo was taken from Hoboken, NJ
right across the water.

Before I went to school today, ready to help children honor heroes and learn about the American flag, I sent a text to all the teachers, letting them know they could borrow my books (Fireboat and Blue Sky, White Stars) to read to their class.

One teacher texted me that 9/11 was especially hard for her because her dad was a firefighter.  That day.  She told me her high school class at school watched 9/11 unfold out the window of their classroom.  She knew her dad was out there, somewhere.

This is a photo of her dad on 9/11

I thought about the pin I wear every 9/11, firefighters raising the American flag.

I love this pin.  It is priceless to me.  But all day long at school I couldn’t help but think how this pin needed to go to Kelly, the teacher’s daughter.  She needs to remember her grandfather.  I know Kelly well.  So, I did the right thing.  I gifted the pin to Kelly.

Everyday we have an opportunity to give to others.  A smile is a gift.  So is a 9/11 pin.

Jennie

Posted in America, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Kindness, patriotism | Tagged , , | 54 Comments

Books to Read on 9/11

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Jennie

On this day, 9/11, we must remember the tragedy.  We must never forget the bravery of firefighters and police officers, and so many people who stopped their lives to do the right thing.  There are stories to help us remember.

One of the best is the true story of the John J. Harvey, a retired fireboat that came to the rescue on 9/11 and became a hero.

I was fortunate to see this original painting.
Pictures speak a thousand words. 

If you are a history buff, a lover of boats, or someone who wants to know a powerful, true 9/11 story, this is the book.  Really.

9/11 is a day to feel proud of America.  When tragedy strikes, we come together as people, communities, and a nation.  One of the best books about America brings to life our history, past and present, through the American flag.

Sew together,
So together

Books and stories are the keepers.  They hold the past, the present, and the future.

Jennie

Posted in America, American flag, books, children's books, history, patriotism, picture books, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 38 Comments

Imagination is the root of learning, discovery, and joy. Thank you, Charles French, for these excellent quotations on imagination.

Posted on September 10, 2023 by Jennie
A Few Quotations On Imagination
Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments

School – Day One

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Jennie

I tossed and turned the night before school, as I always do every year.
Will I remember the children I met last week?
Will they remember me?
Will we connect?

I walked into school smiling at our Peace Dove.
I was walking across hallowed ground.
My past parent had repainted her Peace Dove painting.
The memories came flooding back,
and I stopped, in honor.

The morning was a flurry of tears.
Of course.
I found myself holding a crier and did what came naturally-
singing!
I sang whatever song popped into my head.
Children noticed.  Children love music.
It was time for everyone to come together,
because we needed to connect.
We needed to feel loved and safe.
We needed to feel like a family.
I brought out the Autoharp, and we sang, and sang some more.
Music made everyone smile and feel good.

The rest of the morning was fine.
Children held my hand and took me to toys.|
We smiled at each other.
Big smiles.
Lunch was wonderful, because people got to know each other.
I always share my Jennie carrots.
Tomorrow I’ll share a Jennie Story.

After rest time, it felt like we had been a class and a family forever.
Children were comfortable.
They smiled and laughed.
We hugged.
It was busy, but oh so wonderful.

I came home tired and happy.
When I looked up into the sky, this is what I saw:

It was very fitting.
Upward and onward in a beautiful blue sky to a new school year.

Jennie

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Love, music, Peace, preschool, School, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 79 Comments

Summer Reading

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Jennie

As I was starting a blog post on the books I have read this summer, a parent sent me this photo:

Two former students, one reading to the other – while at the pool!

This photo is far more important than the books I read this summer.  This is what happens down the road, when I read to children.  When students in my class ‘lock on’ to the many books we have read together, and read aloud, it keeps on going.  The reading never ends.  It keeps growing – even at the pool!

Jennie

P.S.  Stay tuned for my summer books.

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, literacy, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, teaching, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 52 Comments