Shake, Shake, Shake Your …

  “Shake Dem Halloween Bones” by Mike Reed is a children’s book that combines colorful illustrations of children dressed in fairy tale costumes with a catchy chorus. “Shake, shake, shake dem bones now.  Shake, shake, shake dem bones now.  Shake, shake, shake dem bones at the hip hop Halloween Ball”. We read the book and singContinue reading “Shake, Shake, Shake Your …”

Building Bravery

Sam had both arms wrapped tightly around his mother as she opened the door on his first day of preschool.  He took a quick peek at the classroom before seeking refuge behind her again.  Sam knew his mom was going to leave.  She’d been telling him for weeks how much fun he would have atContinue reading “Building Bravery”

My Lap

Tonight my daughter crawled into my lap.  I could tell something was bothering her, but I’d learned that prying often led to her withdrawing like a turtle deep into a protective shell where I could not reach her.  But tonight when the house was silent and dark she crawled into my lap. She is nineteenContinue reading “My Lap”

Outsmarting a Preschooler

One might think it would be easy to stay one step ahead of preschoolers.  But don’t let their age fool you.  It can take a lot of work to not be outsmarted by this wily and creative bunch. One morning Silas was having a difficult time keeping his body in his own space during circleContinue reading “Outsmarting a Preschooler”

I See You

“Mom, come watch this video that’s going viral,” my daughter said.  I watched the video of Chris Ulmer, an enthusiastic teacher, speaking directly to each student in his class.  He had the youthful energy of a teacher still fresh with the notion that teachers can change lives. “You are funny.”  “You are an amazing student,”Continue reading “I See You”

A is for Acceptance

Stephan flung open the door in his usual grand entrance style.  The huge grin on his face couldn’t have been any wider.  Each day he came ready to rock his preschool day.  It wasn’t until I looked down at his feet that I noticed something different.  On one foot Stephan was wearing an almost kneeContinue reading “A is for Acceptance”

Rainbow-Colored Santa

I don’t remember a time I didn’t want to teach. Teaching is woven into every part of my being. I was a young girl before the invention of the internet, smart phones and video games so I had to figure out how to entertain myself.  Summers were spent gathering my seven brothers and sisters andContinue reading “Rainbow-Colored Santa”