Zach’s Real-life problem When our son was in first grade, he fell in love with the Pokémon game on his Gameboy. The problem: This game had tons of text and Zach wanted me to read it to him. Every word. After reading a bit about Pikachu, Squirtle, and Charizard—and being instructed on how to pronounce […]
The Value of Perseverance – How to Build It In Your Children Read More »
From my earliest years, I remember “Christmas Around the World” prominently in my childhood. Our family began decorating in the fall. While most moms browsed magazines, my mother studied Christmas books. Daddy even enrolled her in a special club, The World Book Collection’s “Christmas Around the World” series. “You’ve Got Mail!” The encyclopedic volumes stacked
Christmas Around the World: Our Life-Long, family study of customs and traditions Read More »
“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 »
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 »
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 »
You never say “Yes” to anything. Ever heard of Grey’s Anatomy? Shonda Rhimes is its critically-acclaimed and award-winning creator and executive producer. Although I’m not a television enthusiast, I was struck by the premise in her secular 2015 book, Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own
Yes, Lord- Confirming the Work of Our Hands Read More »