Tag Archives: emergent curriculum

A Baby Bird Who Thinks I’m Her Mother

Posted on September 13, 2019 by

There she was on the playground, a tiny baby bird who could not yet fly.  The children saw her first.  Above was an enormous tree.  The branches were far out of reach.  If there was a nest way up there, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Mother Nature, Nature, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 1

Posted on June 30, 2019 by

I remember the first story I told to children.  It happened at lunchtime.  That’s not surprising as lunchtime is perhaps our most intimate time of the day.  It is where teachers and children bond.  One day at lunch, we had … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, play performances, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

From Little House on the Prairie, to Geography, to Maps, to Mount Rushmore, to History… And More

Posted on May 24, 2019 by

When good reading happens in my classroom, it opens the door to so many other things. Children have questions and ideas.  Interrupting in the middle of chapter reading means children are listening and interested.  I can answer those questions and … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, history, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 64 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 4

Posted on May 19, 2019 by

In Part 3, we made a giant sketch for the quilt based on what the children felt were important parts of the song and the book, “This Land is Your Land.”  Woody’s guitar, the church from the ‘sad page’, landmarks … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Early Education, history, Imagination, Inspiration, music, patriotism, quilting, Singing, Teaching young children, The Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 72 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 1

Posted on April 22, 2019 by

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 … Continue reading →

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

Talking Death and Dying with Children – Part 1

Posted on February 9, 2019 by

“Jennie, come quick!  You need to come right now!” Vivian was wide-eyed and worried.  I knew this was serious.  I sprinted with her over to the bushes and around to the backside.  There lay a bunny.  It looked to be … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Death and dying, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Nature, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 92 Comments

When Children Have the Freedom To “Be”

Posted on January 4, 2019 by

While this is a post I wrote about play performances with children, it is really about far more.  Oh, yes!  It is about believing and taking risks.  It is about freedom and encouragement.  It’s my philosophy of teaching.  Paying attention … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, joy, Love, play performances, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 92 Comments