Tag Archives: This Land is Your Land

Today… the New School Opening

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Jennie

My previous post was ‘the night before’ opening school in our newly renovated building.  Here is what happened : First things first- we opened ‘the box’, the one children packed up with their treasures so they could be part of … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, preschool, reading, Singing, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 77 Comments

Best Buddy

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Jennie

Here is a photo of me and my Best Buddy, fifteen years ago. Yes, Best Buddy.  That’s what we called each other. As the years went on, we saw each other occasionally, and we always called each other Best Buddy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, music, preschool, Singing, Student alumni | Tagged , , , , , | 58 Comments

A WWII Plane and Singing a Patriotic Song

Posted on September 28, 2019 by Jennie

It’s not everyday that a WWII plane appears out of nowhere, overhead, in my own backyard.  It was enormous! Hubby thought it could be a B-24 or even a rarer B-29 Superfortress. Somehow it seemed very fitting. Yesterday at school … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Early Education, music, patriotism, preschool, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

This Year’s Favorite Picture Books

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Jennie

Every year children vote on their favorite chapter reading book.  Charlotte’s Web is the clear winner most years.  This year we voted on our favorite picture books as well.  That was a big challenge for children as we read at … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 74 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 4

Posted on May 19, 2019 by Jennie

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 3

Posted on May 6, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 2, after the song had become all-consuming for children, I told Naomi about the one time this had happened before, eight years ago.  A song was  beloved to children.  They couldn’t get enough.  And so, we made a quilt.  … Continue reading →

Posted in American flag, Diversity, Imagination, Inspiration, joy, Love, preschool, quilting, The Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 58 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 2

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 1, children embraced the song “This Land is Your Land” as their own.  They sang the song every day, multiple times a day.  By the time winter arrived, they had ‘taken over’, and constantly used the book This Land … Continue reading →

Posted in America, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, music, patriotism, Peace, picture books, quilting, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 59 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 1

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Jennie

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

Veterans Day for Preschoolers

Posted on November 10, 2018 by Jennie

Veterans Day in my classroom is about far more than honoring our veterans.  For preschoolers it is an introduction to the American flag and our country.  It is history, geography, and patriotic songs.  What started out as a day to … Continue reading →

Posted in American flag, children's books, geography, Giving thanks, military, picture books, Singing, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 49 Comments

Teaching Patriotism Begins With Singing

Posted on May 19, 2018 by Jennie

Today is Armed Forces Day. Teaching patriotism is something I do in my classroom, and I do it frequently. It is rarely a planned activity; it just happens.  Much like teaching kindness or giving, or even bravery, the learning comes from doing. … Continue reading →

Posted in American flag, children's books, Early Education, Giving thanks, history, military, music, patriotism, picture books, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 62 Comments