Author Archives: Jennie

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About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over forty years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about. I was a live guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am highlighted in the seventh edition of Jim Trelease's million-copy bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.

Orange, Orange, What Do You See?

Posted on October 28, 2026 by Jennie

Orange, orange, what do you see? I see the sun peeking at me. Orange, orange, what do you know? My leaves will fall in a week or so. Orange, orange, what do you do? Shine my brilliance till autumn is … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, Poetry, Uncategorized, wonder | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

E.B. White’s New Book

Posted on October 25, 2026 by Jennie

Yes, E.B. White has a new book out.  Really.  It’s a delightful picture book, based on a poem he wrote in 1928 while working at The New Yorker magazine. The Duck Can’t Sleep, by E.B. White The best part is … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, E.B. White, Expressing words and feelings, literacy, Poetry | Tagged , , | 59 Comments

Magic!

Posted on October 17, 2026 by Jennie

Is there magic? You bet there is. It happened at school, on the playground. First, the sky changed. Everyone noticed. The clouds were announcing something. We had a pizza party! After eating pizza, we got our pumpkins ready to carve … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Halloween, Imagination, Inspiration, jack-o-lanterns, Nature, School, Singing, wonder | Tagged , | 58 Comments

Gloria’s Debut

Posted on October 12, 2026 by Jennie

A picture is worth a thousand words, and these pictures say it all! Gloria’a debut was just wonderful.  It always is.  Somehow she has a way with children.  She really opens their eyes and hearts, and children respond in kind. … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Community, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , | 66 Comments

Autumn on the Playground

Posted on October 9, 2026 by Jennie

October at school is beautiful on the playground.  I hope you enjoy the colors of the leaves and the videos.  I took these today, and the children watched me.  It made them look up, too.  Life is short, enjoy nature. … Continue reading →

Posted in Einstein, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , | 50 Comments

Eric Carle and Modernistic Art

Posted on October 4, 2026 by Jennie

I have written before how Eric Carle was inspired by modernistic art in WWI Nazi Germany by his art teacher Frederick Krauss.  The Nazis called it ‘degenerate art’. Today I attended a panel discussion about just that. The new exhibit … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Eric Carle, Eric Carle Museum, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 60 Comments

Pocket Bear

Posted on September 28, 2026 by Jennie

Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate  Katherine Applegate has written another winner.  Big time!  If you think this looks like a cosy little book, think again.  Her stories are always nail biters, adventurous, and have an underlying message of doing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Community, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, history, Inspiration, Kindness, Learning About the World, military, museums, reading | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

Autumn Is Here!

Posted on September 26, 2026 by Jennie

The cows were the first to holler, “Autumn is here!  Autumn is here! Put on your bright colors!” The leaves heard the call. They shook off their green and dressed in red. At first it was hard. But they got … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Diversity, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , | 89 Comments

Loosing Hubby To a Great Book

Posted on September 22, 2026 by Jennie

Hubby is a huge fan of Dan Antion’s books. Huge is an understatement. As soon as Dan’s new book arrived, he snarfed it up, like a happy dog. The Museum Murders Doesn’t the title alone make you want to to … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, literacy, museums, reading | Tagged , | 42 Comments

Surviving Teaching and Finding Joy II

Posted on September 20, 2026 by Jennie

This is a post that has been read by far more bloggers than other posts.  It is a constant with bloggers, most of whom I do not know.  It’s one of my favorite’s, too, so I thought my readers would … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, preschool, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , | 89 Comments