This past week was crazy in Chicago. It was so cold that the public schools closed for two days. I know that there are places all over the country (in Wyoming and Minnesota, for example) who laugh at our vulnerabilities to below freezing temperatures, but I for one was super cold. Tuesday the high was […]
I bet every single teacher will be inspired by these library spaces from around the world. Which ones speak to you?
Visitors to the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood can see one of the greatest collections of doll houses in the world. The houses range from Victorian mansions to modern-day apartment complexes; each unique and representative of a different era in history. Some of the dollhouses seemed far too delicate for play. Some were very complicated. […]
Is there anything more satisfying and wonderful than building a snow person? When I was little we always called them “snowmen” but I think it is more fun to consider women and children made of snow as well. In order to build a really great snow person outside, you need that big, fat, wet snow […]
“Carpe Diem” is a Latin term that means “seize the day”. Teachers seize the day, moment by moment. A “teachable moment” is an unplanned opportunity that arises during the day that affords a teacher an opportunity to offer his/her insight or support to children as they explore the world. Teachers and parents identify “teachable moments” […]
Next week, we say goodbye to our dear old Governor Quinn and usher in a new Governor by the name of Rauner (in case you hadn’t heard). I think things may get interesting in the State of Illinois. However, this new Governor has a reputation for caring deeply about young children and education, so I […]
Last week I visited the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood in London, England. We were on vacation visiting my family in Jolly Olde England and I made it a point to get over to this museum since I knew it would provide inspiration for this blog and it would fill my heart with images […]
Happy New Year Early Math Counts Readers! How are you explaining the “New Year” to the children in your care? How do you explain a really big number like “2015” to young children? I would love to hear some of your ideas and classroom practices that support calendar concepts. Let us know.
I hope you all have a wonderful and restorative break, if you are fortunate enough to have one. I will be taking 2 weeks off, but will return refreshed and reinvigorated on January 5th for another year of math blogging. Happy New Year! Be Safe and Enjoy Your Families!
This is the time of the year when very young children are reminded that something special is coming (Santa Claus, presents, time off, a vacation, grandparents) but they aren’t quite sure when these things are going to happen. They often say,”Santa is coming tomorrow,” much in the same way they say, ‘My birthday is tomorrow,” even […]