Tag Archives: teaching young children

Gloria and Trick-or-Treating

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Jennie

Last night Gloria was invited to go trick-or-treating.  There was no doubt in the child’s mind that she would be a cow, a baby cow.  She rode in the stroller with his little sister.  He just knew that was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Kindness, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

Storytelling: A Halloween Story

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Jennie

Storytelling is, and has always been, the foundation for language and learning.  I write about children, yet storytelling applies to all people.  Words and ideas are how we start to learn, and how we continue to learn. Everybody loves a … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, storytelling, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Picture Books, Humor & Vocabulary

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Jennie

Author Ryan T. Higgins is hysterical. I mean unexpected, fall-down-laughing hysterical. His two children’s books are favorites in my classroom.  The storyline is a grumpy old bear who likes eggs, and what happens is imaginative and funny.  I read Mother … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, reading aloud, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Making Magic

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Jennie

Each year I host a party for children and their families, and every year it creates magic– not the storybook or pretend magic, but something very real. Families gather with their children when school closes and have a pizza party … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 39 Comments

Kindness, Peace, and Love Day

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Jennie

The tragic events of 9/11 unfolded, and our country was united in brotherhood.  We had scores of heroes, and we helped one another with selfless acts of kindness.  Since then, my school has celebrated “Kindness, Peace, and Love Day” every … Continue reading →

Posted in Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

The Thrill of Learning

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Jennie

It happens every time I open my Big Book Atlas, without fail.  Children can’t sit!  They are drawn to the big maps, swarming like bees to flowers. . Do you have any idea how many different things children want to … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments

The Greatest Question

Posted on July 29, 2016 by Jennie

“Jennie, tell me all the chapter books.” That was Jackson’s request, profound and unexpected.  This is his whole wide world of reading aloud.  And, this is the greatest question. Jackson and I were on the playground this morning.  He was hot … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 35 Comments

Roots and Wings…and Thunderstorms

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Jennie

Last evening I was outdoors with my husband and our adult daughter watching the big thunderstorm rumble into our yard.  We were all enjoying the anticipation as well as the storm itself.  I asked my daughter what memories popped into … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Why Do Play Performances With Children?

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Jennie

Timothy planned his own costume.  He wanted to be a seagull, and he thought a white plastic trash bag cut along the sides would be perfect.  It was.  This made Timothy soar in his performance; not only as a seagull, … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

Singing the Books; From Francis Scott Key, to Irving Berlin, to Woody Guthrie

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Jennie

When I was in fifth grade my teacher, Miss Pinson, taught us songs. I remember her white blouse and black hair, and how she held her arms up in the air when she directed a song. She made us feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments