“My first students are turning 50!” I squealed. “What?” My husband calculated my age and starting kindergartners’ age of 5. I interrupted his figuring. “Remember, my first job was a class of 2nd and 3rd graders in a private school? And one of them was 10.” Whoa… that thought brings the memories crashing! […]
Beginning again: thoughts from a kindergarten teacher – cheering her students on Read More »
Dear Tucker, How can you possibly be turning five? For this birthday, I’ll be praying five special things for you. Wish #1: I wish for you beautiful places that stir your heart—that field of grass you run through, those dunes of sand, that bumpy boat ride. And I believe one day, you’ll fall in love
Dear Tucker: Exploring The Top 5 Letter-Writing Activities that Impact Lives Read More »
How often do we put the words math and love in the same sentence? Check out some of these authentic math experiences to discover learning your children will love. And maybe you will, too! Twenty-five years ago, my daughter’s kindergarten teacher invited families to drop their leftover live Christmas trees beside their portable classroom in
Five authentic math experiences your children will love Read More »
What’s your all-time favorite children’s book? Mine? The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. The Best Author Visit Ever in 2002 How thrilled I was in 2002 when author Barbara Robinson visited my Kindergarten/1st grade classroom. Giddy with excitement, I scribbled pages of notes as she shared with my young readers and writers.
How “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Touched My Life Read More »
Children want to – and can – help the survivors of Hurricane Helene. Don’t you just love this quote? Fred Rogers gave valuable insights to a generation of children (and their parents) as they faced hard times. For all children today who are trying to make sense of disasters and contribute in a meaningful way,
How Children Can Help Communities Impacted by Hurricane Helene Read More »
“I’m trying to teach through Writing Workshop, but all they’re doing is DRAWING!” How often I’ve heard that comment over the years from parents and teachers who lament over children’s sketches and illustrations… when they’re “supposed to be writing.” But we can learn much from children’s drawings. Consider this drawing. Chat with the young artist.
The Power of Illustrations to Inspire Readers and Writers (Of All Ages!) Read More »
Have you seen those Pop Tabs Collection Boxes for Ronald McDonald Houses? I used to wonder, “How can those little pop tabs actually help children with cancer?” …until I watched my inspiring colleague, Dori Gilbert, collect the tabs with her students. Dori happened to be my daughter, Tiffany’s kindergarten and first grade teacher. When Tiffany
How Pop Tabs Help Children in Medical Crisis—and Amazingly Teach Math, Too Read More »
What’s the deal with Father’s Day? I believe I’ve struggled more over this blog post than any other. Not because I didn’t have an amazing father though. Read on… Daddy Thankfully, I was blessed with an incredible dad who taught me the value of a penny, created a train visual for me to learn those
How Kindergartners Recognized the Importance of Fathers: Heartwarming Books About Dads Read More »
My mom was the kind of parent who packed four lunches, wrapped them in red bandanas, and tied them to the end of poles she’d hunted for. Just so her four kids could saunter out into the woods and picnic there. Mom made everything magical! During my first few years of teaching kindergarten, I lived
Meaningful Mother’s Day Ideas for Kindergartners Read More »
What a Discovery I Made! Illustrator Violet Lemay simply had to do something after the Uvalde school shooting. So, she began drawing pictures of the victims and sharing them through Instagram. (Image is from Violet LeMay’s Instagram account.) There, Alithia Ramirez’s father discovered her tribute and reached out. He felt connected to this artist named
Understanding School Safety Through the Eyes of Children Read More »