Tag Archives: Inspiration

The Real Start of Teaching the Fourth of July

The Fourth of July – America’s declaration of independence.  I teach children about the American flag, and patriotism.  It’s important.  Best of all, children often lead the way.  Their interests are the springboard for the best learning. The Fourth of … Continue reading

Posted in America, American flag, Early Education, geography, Giving thanks, history, Inspiration, music, patriotism, picture books, preschool, quilting, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 72 Comments

Chapter Reading Newsletter to Families

My final newsletter to families at school, telling them how important reading aloud chapter books is to their children.  Hopefully this opens the door for them. Chapter Reading June 16, 2021 Chapter reading is one of our treasured moments of … Continue reading

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, reading aloud, reading aloud, School | Tagged , , , , , , , | 71 Comments

Tanya, the Real Deal For Kindness

When you meet kindness head on, consider yourself lucky. On our way home from a long overdue visit with our grandchildren, we stopped for dinner at an Applebee’s, our first dinner in a restaurant in over a year.  Our server … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Love | Tagged , , , , | 116 Comments

Our Wish Tree

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 … Continue reading

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

Seeds of Generosity

Charli Mills over at the Carrot Ranch posted her flash fiction challenge: Seeds of Generosity Spreading the seeds of generosity from one story to the next. April 15, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 50 Comments

The Real Beginning of ‘Gloria’

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

The Art Show – Part 2

In Part 1 children were introduced to real artist tools, and also to music played with record albums on a record player.  Music inspires art.  It goes into your ears, then your brain and your heart.  Then it shoots out your fingers … Continue reading

Posted in art, Early Education, Gloria, Inspiration, joy, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 90 Comments

Picture Perfect

Seeing your favorite robot on the TV show ’60 Minutes’. “It’s Atlas!” A picture is worth a thousand words. Thank you Boston Dynamics! You make building robots cool. Even to my preschoolers. Jennie

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 48 Comments

Robots! Part 2

    Back in January, I stumbled across a video of dancing robots, from Boston Dynamics.  Not only did the children in my classroom fall in love with robots and music, they have since then begged to watch this video … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Math, music, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

Hope, and a Wish Tree

This is a year of Hope.  Children need it.   Adults need it.  When they find Hope, it carries them along.  Far.  Wish Trees are beacons of hope, where people give their most important and sacred wishes.  They have been … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Nature, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 106 Comments