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.

Language, Literacy, and Storytelling – Part 2

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Jennie

In Part 1, I talked about growing readers, reading aloud, and chapter reading.  I talked about how language, and the number of words a child hears is critical to academic success in school.  And I took language to the next … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, picture stories, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

Quotations on Thinking

Posted on October 2, 2018 by Jennie

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
(https://pixabay.com) “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”                                                                            Albert Einstein (https://en.wikipedia.org) “The mind is not a…

Posted in Uncategorized | 23 Comments

Evening Sky

Posted on September 30, 2018 by Jennie

Thank you, Mother Nature. Your evening sky is glorious. Tomorrow I will show the children in my class. We will count your colors and talk about the sky. I wonder what the questions and stories will be. Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Imagination, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 35 Comments

Language, Literacy, and Storytelling – Part 1

Posted on September 29, 2018 by Jennie

As a teacher, I want to grow readers.  I want to help children develop a sense of understanding.  I want children to become curious, and eager to discover.  I learned early on that in order to do this, it all … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, geography, Imagination, Jim Trelease, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

The Reading Snapshots Keep Growing

Posted on September 25, 2018 by Jennie

Children’s reading is growing!  Last week my preschool children began to read independently.  It was wonderful.  The photo of children on the rug with their books spoke to the power of reading aloud good books, and children modeling what they … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

A New Year of Reading Charlotte’s Web

Posted on September 23, 2018 by Jennie

Every year I start chapter reading with my preschool class on ‘day one’.  And, the first book I read is Charlotte’s Web.  We have barely had three weeks of school and children are totally hooked.  They adore Wilbur and laugh at … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Learning About the World, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

A Snapshot in My Classroom This Week

Posted on September 21, 2018 by Jennie

Teachers read aloud to children – all the time. Children model what they see. Reading is pleasure. Jennie

Posted in behavior, books, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 46 Comments

repost for new readers: Vincent & Ludwig

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Jennie
Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

The Man Himself, Eric Carle

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Jennie

I was tenth on the waiting list to hear Eric Carle – the man himself – speak to a packed audience.  It is the 50th anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  Can you imagine this childhood favorite book has been in … Continue reading →

Posted in art, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 96 Comments

Forest Fours

Posted on September 16, 2018 by Jennie

Originally posted on Playful Directions:
Yesterday was our first official Forest Four Day.  Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten spent about two hours exploring our Northbound Trail.  The undergrowth sprouted up beyond our knees over the summer, leading to a lovely, wild excursion.…

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