Tag Archives: Diversity

More on Diversity

Posted on November 7, 2025 by Jennie

I’m reading Katherine Applegate’s award winning book, Wishtree, to my library Read Aloud group.  The story is told by Red the tree, who is over two centuries old.  Red is the Wish Tree in the neighborhood, carrying on a long tradition … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, literacy, reading aloud | Tagged , , | 73 Comments

Welcome, Gloria!

Posted on October 20, 2024 by Jennie

Gloria made her classroom debut.  We don’t have returning students from last year in the class, so she was all new.  For everyone. You could have heard a pin drop. It was hard to get Gloria to look, much less … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Gloria, Heart, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 70 Comments

Gloria’s Debut, and a Letter to Parents

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Jennie

I’m always a bit nervous with excitement when Gloria makes her ‘debut’ in the classroom.  I know the children will welcome her because every year she is loved from Day One.  Today was no exception.  Frankly, it was wonderful.  She … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Gloria, Inspiration, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 79 Comments

Gloria – How She Came to Be

Posted on January 21, 2023 by Jennie

So, how did Gloria the puppet become Gloria the person? I know puppets help teach preschoolers.  Any good teacher knows that.  When I first realized that a puppet in the classroom would be a great teaching tool, I had no … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 64 Comments

Gloria!

Posted on October 5, 2022 by Jennie

Every year, Gloria comes into the classroom and becomes a beloved friend, someone who understands children.  She represents everything that is kind… yet different, and that is the pathway to acceptance.  Gloria is diversity, and the catalyst to acceptance.  She … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, preschool, wonder | Tagged , , | 78 Comments

Gloria Goes To Washington – Part 1

Posted on April 16, 2022 by Jennie

Gloria has been in Washington D.C. with a classmate (I’ll call him Tim.)  His father sent an email and photos to the class each day about Gloria’s adventures in Washington. Hey Aqua Room, Tim wanted to send a note to … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Diversity, Gloria, Inspiration, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 49 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

Gloria – Today

Posted on October 16, 2021 by Jennie

Gloria is an important member of the Aqua Room… well, that’s an understatement.  Every year she is ‘the one’.  Somehow she brings more kindness and understanding to children than anyone does.  She’s been around for over twenty years.  Today was … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 74 Comments

Gloria and the Indians

Posted on June 6, 2021 by Jennie

‘Gloria’ was very involved in a recent discussion on Indians.  It was a huge moment in teaching.  She understands being different. It happened like this… I have finished reading “Little House on the Prairie” to my preschoolers.  At the end … Continue reading →

Posted in America, chapter reading, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, history, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , | 63 Comments

The Real Beginning of ‘Gloria’

Posted on April 22, 2021 by Jennie

Last year at this time all of my teaching was done remotely.  It was hard, and I reached out in so many ways to make things fun and keep a connection with my preschoolers. Here is what I did, in … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Student alumni, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 85 Comments