Today’s Quote

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Jennie

How fortuitous to wake up to this wonderful quote this morning, after learning of the passing of Eric Carle yesterday.

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Eric Carle Has Died

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Jennie

Eric Carle died this past weekend at age 91.  I’m strong, and I’m prepared for most anything, yet learning today that Eric Carle died hit me hard.  He was the mainstay of literature for young children.  “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” has never stopped being sold.  Never.


I’m the butterfly at the Eric Carle Museum

A message posted online from his family, which said he died Sunday, included a poem:

In the light of the moon,
holding on to a good star,
a painter of rainbows
is now traveling across the night sky

I have a great love for his museum, and have met him in person.  He hugged me like a dear old friend.  I will be posting my reflections soon.  R.I.P. Eric Carle.


The Very Hungry Caterpillar tattoos 

Jennie

Posted in children's books, Death and dying, Early Education, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, museums, picture books, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 79 Comments

Childhood Blocks and Nature – Frank Lloyd Wright

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Jennie

I will never forget my first visit to the Children’s Museum in Philadelphia back in the 80’s.  It’s called The Please Touch Museum and it’s a wonderful, hands-on museum.  But, it wasn’t the typical fare of a great children’s museum that caught my eye.

It was the collection of Frank Lloyd Wright’s childhood blocks.  He attributed his interest in architecture and building to his childhood blocks.

Of course he did!

I think this was the first time I realized what happens in childhood, in my classroom,  has a marked impact on what happens in adulthood.  I knew what I did for children would be incredibly important.

This year I have a classroom of builders.  The simple maple wood blocks that Wright used as a child are the most popular item in my class.  Legos are a close second, but blocks are #1.  Thank goodness!

And, there’s more.  my class loves nature.  Frank Lloyd Wright did, too.  His architecture was built into nature, as if the two were meant to live together in harmony.  Well, he was right.

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature.  It will never fail you.”  ~Frank Lloyd Wright~

My children love to find beetles, pick buttercups, plant in the garden, watch birds, and dig for worms.  They still admire the Wish Tree now that leaves are growing around their wishes.  Somehow I find it deeply satisfying to know that they are both builders and nature lovers.  I think Frank Lloyd Wright would, too.

Jennie

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Dr. Seuss Museum

Posted on May 24, 2021 by Jennie

This gallery contains 18 photos.

Originally posted on No Facilities:
From the museum webpage: The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, the newest museum on the Quadrangle (where four other museums are located), is devoted to Springfield native Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss! Theodor Seuss…

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Play

Posted on May 23, 2021 by Jennie

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.
But for children play is serious learning.
Play is really the work of childhood.”
~Mr. Rogers~

The dinosaurs are congregating.
They don’t look happy.


“They need to be fed.  They need food.
Don’t worry.  I’m getting leaves ready for them.”


“We need more cones.
We have to block off the construction site.”


“Jennie, we used every block.  Every one.
We sealed off the tower with trucks and cones.
Can you take our picture?”

This is how children figure things out.  Problem solving, working together, and critical divergent thinking are rooted in play.  Teachers step aside.  Sometimes the best learning happens when things don’t go right- when another child took some of the cones, and when the amazing tower was threatened to be knocked down.

Did I intervene?  Absolutely not.  No one was  hurt.  It was up to the children to figure it out.  Honestly, it is one of the hardest things for a teacher to do, but also one of the most important.

I’m in the middle of the busiest time in the school year, writing children’s observations.  It is purposeful that we focus on social and emotional first.  We’re growing the next generation, and if they can’t get along with others and problem solve, they’ll never have a chance to use their academic skills later on down the road.

Life Skills-101.  Play hard!

Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 83 Comments

Goodnight Moon – Part 2

Posted on May 19, 2021 by Jennie

“Goodnight Moon” keeps growing and evolving.  Children have heard the words over and over again, a beloved daily ritual before chapter reading.  Recently they have joined me in reciting the entire book.  The Helper of the Day can stand alongside me to recite the book, or do it on their own (with help.)

Today Winn was the Helper of the Day.  He stood tall and proud, and belted out “Goodnight Moon” like he was the last man standing.  I was humbled.  He nailed it.

Never underestimate children.  They have far more heart, gut, passion, and bravery than we realize.  Give children opportunities.  Let them shine.  Read aloud.  They’re our future.  Winn certainly is.

Jennie

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Goodnight Moon

Posted on May 17, 2021 by Jennie

Before children learn to read, first they must hear the words.  It’s developmental, like learning to crawl before learning to walk.  The auditory piece, including singing, hits both the brain and the soul in learning.  In my preschool class, reading aloud is a top priority, so I constantly read picture books and also chapter books.  I use a ‘voice’, stop all the time to ask questions, and often the story takes a very different turn.  We have pretty deep and serious discussions as a class, because we love reading.

Every day before chapter reading I recite Goodnight Moon.  The children love it for two reasons; they know that chapter reading is next, and they feel connected to the words in the book.  I recite the story, all the words, and they have no pictures to see (just like chapter reading.)  Over the course of the year, I have changed the words to incorporate the names of the children.  “And Tommy’s red balloon, and a picture of Sarah jumping over the moon…”.  This has been hugely successful.  The children think it is so much fun, but I realize that there is a bigger connection with the language they are hearing.  I have taken a story they love, recited with no pictures, and changed the text.  That means changing your brain, and children do that so well.

It gets more complicated, or perhaps I should say more simple.  Reciting Goodnight Moon then naturally flowed into singing.  It was already a story with a rhyme, and it already had children’s names as part of the rhyme.  So, I sang Goodnight Moon.  It didn’t matter what the tune was.  The important part was singing, as that brought ‘life’ into the words.  I occasionally changed the ‘beat’ as well, clapping or tapping my foot.

It is close to the end of the school year, and children have heard me read aloud Goodnight Moon for months.  Now, they join me, and we recite the words together.  The Helper of the Day can stand with me and recite the book alone.  That is a big deal!

Teachers naturally address visual learners.  Whether it is a classroom chart or writing on the board, the majority of information for children is often visual.  If we address the auditory learners through singing, rhyming, and chanting, we are crystallizing language.  And, it is fun!  So, I now sing poetry, stories and rhymes whenever I can.  The children love it, and it works.  Goodnight Moon is proof.

Jennie

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

Our Wish Tree

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Jennie

What is a Wish Tree?

Wikipedia says: A wish tree is an individual tree, usually distinguished by species, position or appearance, which is used as an object of wishes and offerings.  Such trees are identified as possessing a special spiritual value.

I knew about Wish Trees.  I read “Wishtree” by Katherine Applegate.  Everyone needs to read this book!  Seriously.  I stumbled across a real Wish Tree with friends on Cape Cod.  The wishes were tied on with shells.  It was quite moving.

 I knew we needed a wish tree at school.  

Our school-wide theme this year is Roots and Wings.  Teachers help children to grow the roots of goodness, kindness, resiliency, and independence.  Growing roots means they can then grow wings.  Children learn through hands-on experiences, so a Wish Tree at school is perfect.

Each class had their children make a wish, which was written on fabric strips the same color as the classroom.  Children tied their wishes to a tree.  We used a ladder for higher branches.  The result is a glorious explosion of color, with wishes blowing in the wind.

This is our beautiful Wish Tree on the playground at school.

Music is important for children.  To make wishes come to life, we listened to “When You Wish Upon a Star” – such a beautiful song.  Then, we changed the words slightly to “When you wish upon a tree, makes no difference who you’ll be.”  As we hung our wishes on the tree, we sang the song with children.

Children’s wishes were heartfelt, funny, joyous, tearful…you name it.  Out of the mouth of babes.


“I wish I could always be with my teachers.”
“I wish Christmas would give me presents again.”
“I wish Ivy would always be kind to me.  I love her.”


“I wish my dog could talk.”
“I wish I could always be in school.”
“I wish the sickness was gone.”


“I wish I could live very far away.”
“I wish for a motorcycle that zooms.”
“I wish Grandma could stay with me forever.”

May all your wishes come true.

Jennie

Posted in books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Love, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 82 Comments

Happy birthday, Irving

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Jennie

My preschoolers are singing this song as we get ready for a Memorial Day Remembrance later this month. Thank you, Irving Berlin.

bluebird of bitterness

In honor of the birthday of Irving Berlin, here is one of his greatest hits, sung by Kings Return.

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Inspiring Kids of All Ages—One Book at a Time—May is #GetCaughtReading Month!

Posted on May 10, 2021 by Jennie

Bette’s post on inspiring kids of all ages – one book at a time is a perfect companion to my Jim Trelease and reading aloud post yesterday. There are so many reasons to share a book with a child. Thank you Bette!

Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author

“The love of reading is a lynchpin for successful learning—for success in life. Kids learn to read best when adults take time to share their passion for books with them.” ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author.

May is #GetCaughtReading Month!

One of the best ways to inspire kids to love to read is by reading aloud to them and talking with them about the books you share. We can all make a difference in the lives of the children around us when we #GetCaughtReading with the kids!

Benefits of Reading Aloud to Children of all ages

  • Expands vocabulary as they hear new words in context
  • Provides contextual examples for grammar and sentence structure that everyday conversation does not offer
  • Strengthens reading comprehension
  • Increases a child’s attention span
  • Teaches life skills associated with story themes and characters
  • Fosters family/generational/community communication.

Research has shown that children who come to school with a large vocabulary…

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