Mother Nature, and Alberta

Posted on May 12, 2019 by Jennie

It has taken me nearly seven decades to fully appreciate the canvas that Mother Nature paints every day.  And I still have a long way to go.  Often I feel more humbled than appreciative.  I’m working on that.  Because this is what I saw today:

It’s the view from my front porch.  There were no leaves on the red maple tree yesterday, and the crab apple blossoms were barely there.  I looked, nodded, and only smiled yesterday, but not today.

Mother Nature has made her welcome.

“Jennie, pay attention.”

I did.

“You have to stop and smell the roses.”

“I know…”

“Didn’t Alberta tell you that?”

“She did.  All the time.  I miss her.”

“She misses you, too.  She wants me to tell you that.  That’s why I made everything burst into spring today.  She wants you to stop and smell the roses.”

“Thank you, Mother Nature.  I will.  Please tell Alberta that I love and miss her.”

“I will.  But she already knows.  Oh, she wants me to tell you she is very glad that you have the children in your classroom stop and smell the roses.  It makes her smile everyday.  Those butterflies in the fall that you had children follow – she loved that.”

“Jennie, she was there with you and the children.  She wants you to do the same thing – stop and see all the beauty that is right there – because she loves you.”

“Thank you, Mother Nature.  I will.”

Happy Mother’s Day.  Stop and smell the roses.

“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” -E.B. White-

Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 61 Comments

From One Superhero to Another

Posted on May 10, 2019 by Jennie

Riley and I are the two non-Captain America Superheroes in this photo.  But day in and day out, Riley is the real Superhero, the one who is always brave, helps her friends, and leads the way.  Always.  And with a smile.

Maybe Riley thinks I am a Superhero, too.  She told me so today.

Thank you, Riley.  I want everybody to be like you when they grow up.

Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Giving thanks, Inspiration, preschool, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 47 Comments

The Boy Who Cried Tears of the Heart – Epilogue

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Jennie

Reading aloud happened today, twice.  Both events spanned years – well, connected years – yet were about the same child.  Let me explain.

This is the time of year that I chapter read fact, not fiction books.  I start with Little House in the Big Woods, and move to Little House on the Prairie.

Jackson was glued to Little House on the Prairie many years ago.

One of my greatest memories is reading aloud the chapter, “Crossing the Creek.”  Jackson loved chapter reading, and this chapter is full of excitement, worry, and tears.  I have to stand and walk as I read the words.  I always get choked up.  Laura’s family crosses the creek in the covered wagon and everything goes wrong.  When the family is finally on the other side, Laura says, “Where’s Jack?”

Jack is their dog.  This is so sad.  And that is where I have to stand up and read, pace, cry, and reach out to all the children in the room.  This is humanity and empathy.

Jackson pulled his blanket over his head.  I could tell he was crying, not by sounds, but by his body moving with his silent sobs.  I scooped him up.  The story is one of my very favorite blog posts from years ago.

The Boy Who Cried Tears of the Heart

Today Jackson returned to school  to read aloud to my class, his old class.  He wanted to do this.  He is an excellent reader (no surprise).  Those early years of reading aloud have given him the tools and the passion to become a reader.

Here’s the best part: today was the day I read aloud the chapter, “Crossing the Creek.”  Same chapter, same child, on the same day he visits to read aloud. Thank you, Jackson.

Jennie

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, Dogs, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, history, reading aloud, reading aloud, Student alumni | Tagged , , , , , , | 57 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 3

Posted on May 6, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 2, after the song had become all-consuming for children, I told Naomi about the one time this had happened before, eight years ago.  A song was  beloved to children.  They couldn’t get enough.  And so, we made a quilt.  That was a lightbulb moment, and sparked another quilting journey.  Milly the quilter had died, yet she made her presence to give approval to this new venture and to handing the reins over to Donna.  Children began to design the quilt by listing all the parts of the song and the book that they felt should be included.  This was the most important part of all!

Part 3:
We made a giant sketch.  This was hard, as we had to put children’s ideas, that whole list of important parts, onto paper.  Every component was important, from footsteps (“I followed my footsteps”) to the Redwood Forest, Gulf Stream waters, and the church on the ‘sad page’.  Groton Community School and Gloria are included.  She’s flying a kite.  The Statue of Liberty is prominent, and the central figure in the quilt is a home with the American flag.  Woody’s guitar will rest along the house.

Children were insistent on including Woody’s guitar.  They are fascinated with Woody, and ask questions about him all the time.  “Jennie, does Woody have children?”  I explained how he was a little older than my mother, so his children were close to my age.  That took a while to sink in.  The Woody questions haven’t stopped.

After the sketch was complete, children colored it in.  In that way, it solidified all their ideas and dreams about the quilt.  Coloring is a soulful experience.

      

After the sketch was complete and children were satisfied, the next step was selecting fabrics.  What a glorious adventure!  Those days were like being in an open air market, full of colorful items.  Really, it was like Christmas morning with more than the eye could see.

 

Once children finished exploring all the fabrics, it was time to settle down and do some serious selecting.  This process took two days.  Every part of the quilt required a choice, from the chimney of the house to fireworks to the sparkling sand of the diamond desert.  Everything.

     

When Donna finished many of the parts on the face of the quilt, she brought in all the pieces, and children watched as she placed them together – like a jig saw puzzle.  If something was put in the wrong spot, children immediately knew.  “No, that’s not where Woody’s guitar goes.”  Donna asked the children. “What’s missing?”  They knew – the apples on the tree, fireworks, and more.  There’s no tricking these children.  The song and the quilt are far too important to them.

Once every thing was sewn into place, we had one last look before it headed to the ‘long arm machine’ for the quilting and intricate stitching.  But first we still had to choose fabric for the border and for the lettering, THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND.  That was the hardest choice of all.

Stay tuned for Part 4 and the unveiling of the quilt.  It is far different than what I imagined.  I cried.

Jennie

Posted in American flag, Diversity, Imagination, Inspiration, joy, Love, preschool, quilting, The Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 58 Comments

A Free ‘Oral Vaccine’ for Literacy

Posted on May 3, 2019 by Jennie

Yes, people would definitely stand in line for days and pay hundreds of dollars.  Yet, it’s all right there, in the words of a book.  Read aloud, go to the library.  Get that free ‘oral vaccine’ for literacy.  Make a difference.

Thank goodness I read his book when my children were young.  Since then, the Read-Aloud Handbook has had seven editions and is a million copy bestseller.  Where does my drive and passion to read aloud come from?  This book!  This is it, the golden key.  While Jim Trelease has facts and research and stories as proof, I have real, hands-on proof — the children I read to.  Oh, what a difference it makes.  I know, first hand.

Read this book.
Read aloud.
Make a difference.

Jennie

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, picture books, Quotes, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

A Breakthrough, from the ‘Curbside Classroom’

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Jennie

Steve the crossing guard sent me this new story.  Sit back, read, and enjoy one of the best stories from his ‘Curbside Classroom’.  Steve is a remarkable teacher who makes a difference – no classroom needed.  He’s my role model.  Thank you, Steve!


photo courtesy of Dreamstime.com

Jennie,

I wanted to tell you about a high school student who I haven’t been able to get to for two years. He mumbles his name, doesn’t smile, seems aloof, doesn’t say a word.

However, this morning I announced that next week will be, ‘stump the crossing guard’ week. And the topic will be ‘inventions’. I asked them just to give me an invention and I’ll try to guess the inventor, and they will have to know the answer, as well. What they don’t know is that I don’t have a clue who invented what, other than some well known ones. So, I’ll just be taking SWAGS, ‘scientific wild ass guesses’, just to keep the conversation going.

What I announced it to the kids group this morning, suddenly this kid’s eyes popped open and he said, ‘I’ve got one for you, who invented the swivel chair?’ Of course, I pretended to think about it, but I had no clue so he told me, Thomas Jefferson. I was flabbergasted, to say the least, not about Jefferson but the fact the kids showed enthusiasm. So, apparently he does listen to me and I happened to hit a nerve that was positive with him. A terrific moment.

This week we talked about the definitions of Isthmus and straits with examples. Some knew but they all do now. Of course, Shakespeare died past Tuesday, 1616. That fit in with English classes that are studying Shakespeare. I cross a couple of English teachers and they planned to mention it in class.

Last week was the anniversary of the Pony Express and I think it was the first time the kids heard about it, for some anyway.  One of the English teachers mentioned that they were doing a unit on the US Postal Service, and one of her students mentioned about the Pony Express discussion at the ‘crossing’.

So, the ‘Curbside Classroom’ thrives.

I’ve been enjoying your posts, Jennie. I just haven’t written much. Have a wonderful weekend.

Go, Sox!

Steve

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, self esteem | Tagged , , , , , , , | 62 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 2

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 1, children embraced the song “This Land is Your Land” as their own.  They sang the song every day, multiple times a day.  By the time winter arrived, they had ‘taken over’, and constantly used the book This Land is Your Land when they sang.  The book brings American landmarks and history to life, and it also depicts humanity, the good and the bad.  Children love the ‘sad page’, and the ensuing verse that gives us all hope and reminds us of what we can do, together.  In my classroom, the song just keeps on going.

Part 2:
It was a regular morning in the classroom.  Children were finishing snack.  The routine is they get a book and have silent reading (or not so silent) while other children finish their snack.  Of course there are a few children who try to eat quickly so they can have first dibs on a book.  This Land is Your Land is always the first to get picked.  And, it’s hard to read the book and not sing, or at least hum.  On this particular morning, multiply that tenfold.

I remarked to Naomi, my assistant teacher, “The last time children were so vested in a song and couldn’t get enough was eight years ago.  I had to do something, do more.  Milly the quilter made a quilt.”

Lightbulb moment:  Of course, a quilt!

I told Naomi all about the quilting adventure with Milly eight years ago.

“But Jennie, Milly died.  We don’t have a quilter.”

“I think we might.  Remember Donna?  Years ago when she came into the classroom to make pasta with the children I asked her if she would be willing to be a Milly, a grandparent figure, if and when Milly was unable to do so.  She is wonderful.  And, she’s a quilter.”

“Donna really is wonderful.  I had no idea she was a quilter.  Wow.  That would be awesome.”

Naomi took the children to the hallway to get their coats and get ready to go outside.  I was in the classroom, feeling like I had found buried treasure, or solved the mysteries of Stonehenge, or something like that.  And then I was hit by a tidal wave of feeling, not by me – by Milly.  For a moment she was there, and I knew she was giving me her approval.  I could feel her smiling.  It was time to move forward and pass the torch.  And then she was gone.  Just like that.  Well… I just said under my breath, “Thank you, Milly.”

This just doesn’t happen.  Spirits aren’t real.  But it did.  And they are.

Naomi came back into the room.  “Jennie, what happened?  Are you okay?”  I said, “Milly was here.  She gave me her approval.  She was happy.”

Next, I needed to call Donna.  Her first words were, “When Milly died, I was waiting for you to call me.  I thought you would ask me.”  I told her everything.  Donna knew Milly and always remarked about her quilts.  Then Donna said, “I’ve never done anything like that before.  I’m up for the challenge.”

Those were exactly the words Milly had said to me many years ago – was that an omen?

And so, we began a quilting journey.  First, we gathered the children, and Donna, in a big meeting.  To my surprise, Donna asked if ‘Gloria’ could come, too.  Gloria was thrilled.  So were the children.  We sang the song while holding the book.  Then came the big moment to introduce a quilt.  I don’t tell children, I ask children, and I asked them if they would like to make a quilt about their favorite book.  That was like asking them if they wanted to help Santa Claus deliver presents.

“Donna can sew the quilt.  What should we have in the quilt?”  Every child couldn’t wait.  They had to shout out their ideas.  They were so excited!  Here is their list:

Heart
Rainbow
American flag
Baby
Gulf stream waters
Statue of Liberty
Colors
Trees
Fireworks
Gloria
Our school
Ribbon of highway
Clouds
Houses
Grass
Foot steps
Sparkling sand
Sun
Wheat fields
Dust clouds
Kite
Church

The list is a wonderful collection of both the song and the book.  The children were spot on!

Next, we made a giant sketch of all our ideas.  Pen to paper.  Ideas to paper.  Heart to paper.

Stay tuned for Part 3.

Jennie

Posted in America, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, music, patriotism, Peace, picture books, quilting, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 59 Comments

Today’s Quote

Posted on April 27, 2019 by Jennie
Posted in Uncategorized | 30 Comments

Alumnus Visit

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Jennie

A senior in high school,
“too soon too old”

After his trip to Italy, Wesley came bearing gifts- a Pinocchio for each child and a large Pinocchio for the class.  We learned that the story and character are from northern Italy.  In turn, we taught Wesley to sing “Old MacDonald” in Italian.

Thank you, Wesley.  You told me it seems like yesterday that you were a little boy in my classroom.  It seems like yesterday to me, too.

Why do they return and visit?  When I ask, they can’t put their finger on it exactly. I think I know why:

People will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did,
 but people will never forget how you made them feel.
-Maya Angelou-

Thank you, Wesley.

Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Quotes, Student alumni, young children | Tagged , , , | 56 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 1

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Jennie

And to my surprise, the children have driven the making of yet another quilt.

Over the past ten years, my preschool class has designed quilts.  Each one materialized because of something the children were passionate about.  When they couldn’t get enough of a song or an idea, I knew I had to give them more.  Together we designed quilts.  The process brought everything to life for children, from planning, to sketching, to designing, to picking fabrics.  They did it all, and a wonderful master quilter made their dream come alive.  The quilts are stunning.  Well, that is an understatement; one hangs at the National Liberty Museum in historic Philadelphia, one hangs at the Boston Fisher House, and one hangs at the State House in Boston.  Humbling.  Each quilt was a year-long project, starting with the children and what they loved.

And now it has happened again.  All it takes is a spark.

In the fall, children loved singing “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie.  I sing with children all the time, and I sing many kinds of songs.  For whatever reason, they wanted to sing “This Land is Your Land” over and over again.  I’m talking at least two to three times a day.

The book to this song is on our bookshelf.

It’s an outstanding book.  The illustrations bring the song to life.  There are also many illustrations along the edges that give a wonderful visual of America’s landmarks, big and small.  We play “I Spy” with this book all the time.  The biggest challenge is finding thirty flying American flags.  Thirty!  Some are obvious, many are not.  Finding the flags means we have to stop when we find one, like a flag on the Delta Queen, or one on on the Esplanade in Boston – home of the Boston Pops Fourth of July concert, or a flag on Ellis Island.

Geography + history + patriotism at its best.

Most importantly, the children grab the book every time they want to sing the song.  It is the song, their song.  And as they sing, they want the book in their hands.

I welcomed a new friend, Travis, who plays the guitar.  The children love his songs, especially “It’s You I Like”, by Mister Rogers.  Travis started coming to sing on a regular basis.  Interestingly, as soon as he sat down, Eddie or Emmett or Boden would rush over to the book shelf, grab This Land is Your Land, and shove it into Travis’ hands.  They had to have that song – first.

And occasionally I would join in.

 

By winter, I had ‘lost control’ over the song and the book.  Children ruled the roost, getting the book and singing all the time.  Did you know there is a verse, a page, that is pretty dismal?  No happy America.  Children call it the ‘sad page’, and we sing it in a quiet and slow way, because it is sad.

“In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people;
By the relief office I seen my people;
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking,
Is this land made for you and me?”

Children love this verse.  “Jennie, can you sing the sad page?”  Pretty powerful stuff.  I have to be true to the song, so I sing that verse.  I think we underestimate children’s ability to understand and feel compassion.  The illustrations on ‘the sad page’ are bleak… and then the next page and verse is the same scene, with everything fixed and repaired, and people working together to build a new playground.  I flip back and forth between the two pages to help children find all the changes.  That next verse is the final verse of the song.  It’s the one that gets me a little choked up.  It’s the one where children stand tall and proud.

“Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back;
This land was made for you and me.”

Sometimes children would come to me in the middle of activity time and ask me to sing with them.

Other times they would sing collectively on their own.  No teacher was needed, or for that matter even wanted.  It was wonderful.

And then one morning, something happened.  Something big happened.  Stayed tuned for Part 2.

Jennie

Posted in America, American flag, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, geography, history, patriotism, picture books, preschool, quilting, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 68 Comments