Were you ever a girl scout? I was my fourth grade year and have the best memories. My daughter just joined her school’s troop and is having such a great time. Her troop leader asked me to lead them in a Pilates class to earn their fitness badge. It just happened to be pajama day …
Art and Appetite (and blueberry muffins)
What are you up to this weekend? If you have a chance, this is the last weekend to enjoy the Amon Carter’s mouthwatering exhibition of over sixty paintings that explore the art and culture of food and dining in America. Think…cookies, cakes, fruit, turkey and the pure joy of the visual feast…all guilt-free. Fort Worth’s Amon …
Charlotte’s Web and my little Fern
FIFTEEN YEARS of reading Charlotte’s Web to my second grade class and this year was the most memorable because my daughter played the part of Fern in her second grade class. Watching her be a part of one of the most beloved children’s books made my heart swell. You can see a little bit of …
Mary Cassatt: 5 things you might not know
My friend Leslee came into my classroom last week and told me, “Great news! The Traveling Art Exhibit has arrived!” I spent most of that week running around like a crazy person getting my classroom ready for Open House (which is always right before Spring Break). When Leslee said, “I’ve already put it up.” I breathed …
Amelia Earhart: 5 Things You Might Not Know
Best known for being the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Amelia Earhart (1897-1937) is America’s most famous female pilot. Born in Atchison, Kansas on July 24th to Edwin (a lawyer) and Amy Earhart (daughter of a wealthy judge). Amelia was eleven-years old in 1908 when she saw her first airplane. She …
When I Was Little
Grandparents’ Day was chosen in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter to be the Sunday after Labor Day each year. In elementary school, we celebrate the whole week long…inviting grandparents to have lunch, spend some time with their grandchild at school and maybe even read a story. Second grade children are asked to do an interview …
Make Your Earth Day, Emeraldalicious!
My daughter Zooey is a huge Pinkalicious fan. We’ve read all the Victoria Kann books and have even seen the play so when the new Pinkalicious book came out, Emeraldaicious, her green eyes flashed with eagerness to read it. You can see the Emeraldaicious book trailer here. Pinkalicious and her brother Peter are walking to their favorite park and while walking through the woods and she breaks …
Battle of the Books…Make Way for Young Readers!
When I told my daughter Zooey that I was coaching her team for Battle of the Books she said, “Mommy, you HAVE to make it FUN!” I think that it was pretty easy to accomplish her wish because the books WERE so much fun. Battle of the Books is a school program that began in the 1930’s to …
I Had a Favorite Dress: dear mama can make it work
Growing up I thought my mother was magical because she could sew. I remember her sewing me a red dress with red roses in the first grade. She seemed to make it overnight…in fact, I think she did! It was my favorite dress when I was six. When my friend Margot was four, she remembers …
Pen Pals: Writing Letters That Capture Innocent Whispers
Did you ever have a pen pal when you were younger? I had several and I’m sad to say that I’ve lost touch with most of them. I remember skipping back to the house after checking the mailbox when I was younger and I couldn’t wait to open my letter from my pen pal Susanna …
Pen Pals: Writing Letters That Capture Innocent WhispersRead More
A Blog with “Class”
Writing is something I can remember enjoying since I was in the second grade. I’ve always kept a journal; blogging has replaced my journal and made me a more thoughtful writer. I still prefer to pick up a pen than to type and most of the time I still do. I find my thoughts …