Tag Archives: Inspiration

DogTown

Posted on September 7, 2024 by Jennie

I just finished reading one of the best books, DogTown, by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko, and had to share my excitement. It’s friendship, bravery, loss, humor, and heart.  Oh, is it ever heart. “Your heart is a muscle,” I told … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Dogs, Expressing words and feelings, Heart, Inspiration, literacy, Love, reading, robots, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Robot Finale and Real Learning

Posted on March 4, 2024 by Jennie

My classroom, the Aqua Room, is ‘crushing’ robots this year.  Every day a child talks about Curiosity on Mars.  Every day we watch the Boston Dynamics robots.  Back in December we wrote a giant letter to NASA, and to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, robots, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 81 Comments

Gloria’s Journal and Many Adventures

Posted on January 14, 2024 by Jennie

It’s a new school year for Gloria, and she has spent most weekends with a child.  Her adventures on weekends have been delightful.  Reading her journal to children is always exciting. Back in the beginning of Gloria in the Aqua … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 91 Comments

Gloria – a New Visit and an Old Visit

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Jennie

Gloria spent the weekend with Lukas.  Lukas adores Gloria.  The two have been bonded at the hip.  When Gloria spends a weekend with an Aqua Roomer, she carries along her journal, and it is always filled with adventures and photos. … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Dogs, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Gloria, Inspiration, Love, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 54 Comments

The Fog Calls a Teacher

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Jennie

Halloween was over, and a thick fog settled in. This was a fog never seen.  Never. The fog called me. I wanted to run, be with the fog, get swallowed. I am a child at heart. I have the eyes … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Halloween, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 57 Comments

‘Donut Party’ and Much More

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Jennie

We had our year-end event with families this week.  It was the first time in two years that families, children, and teachers were all together.  It was wonderful.  Children called it the ‘Donut Party’, because they knew doughnuts would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, Love, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 78 Comments

Thunderstorms, Courage, and So Much More

Posted on May 26, 2022 by Jennie

Two days of mid 90-degree heat is rare in May up here in New England.  I knew a thunderstorm would soon roll in.  I sat on my porch, watching the sky, and was drawn to memories of thunderstorms and how … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Learning About the World, Mother Nature, Nature, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 88 Comments

From Dinosaurs to the Stop Game

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Jennie

Today was one of those ‘moments’ in teaching, the ones that turn something small into something big.  It was a simple question, yet it opened a whole new world for children. It happened like this… Every day we have the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, Learning About the World, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 86 Comments

The Compass Rose

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Jennie

                                  “Jennie, what’s that? Those three words are music to my ears, because it means there will be a new journey to discovery.  When … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, geography, Inspiration, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 73 Comments

The Kelly Clarkson Show – And Me

Posted on October 4, 2021 by Jennie

Everything people say is true.  Kelly Clarkson is genuine.  She’s as nice as the day is long.  She is all about others (not herself), and so much fun. I know.  I am on her show tomorrow- in person with Kelly. … Continue reading →

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, School | Tagged , , , , , | 142 Comments