Author Archives: Jennie

About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over thirty-five 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.

Reading “Little House on the Prairie”, Then and Now

I have two stories to tell; both happened on the same day this week, yet they are fourteen years apart.  Every year my last chapter reading book at school is Little House on the Prairie.  Here is what happened: Story … Continue reading

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 58 Comments

Quotations on Education

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
(https://en.wikipedia.org) “Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.”                                                                         Walter Cronkite ? (https://en.wikipedia.org) “He who opens a school door, closes a…

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Quotations by Mark Twain

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
(https://pixabay.com) “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” ? “Travel…

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

“Gloria” On The Playground

Gloria is a dear classroom friend.  Well, that’s an understatement.  I have a hard time making my fingers type that she is a puppet, because she is the best thing that ever happened to my classroom.  She is the kind … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Kindness, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 37 Comments

1-800-Viola Swamp

Kate brought her mother’s beloved old book in to school this week.  Miss Nelson is Missing is a classic.  I love that book!  My children loved it.  Over the years I must have read it hundreds of times. The story is … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 53 Comments

Who Is Normal?

Originally posted on Down the Hall on Your Left:
EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE I AM ASKED TO GIVE SHORT SPEECHES or presentations to civic groups or service organizations. I’ve done a few things for the likes of Kiwanis and businesses.…

Posted in Uncategorized | 14 Comments

Memorial Day With Children

There’s nothing like greeting a soldier in dress uniform.  For young children, they are in awe.  That presence naturally commands respect.  I hosted our school’s Memorial Day Remembrance on Friday, with Army Sergeant First Class John as our guest speaker.  As John looked at … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, military, patriotism, picture books, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 39 Comments

Logic vs Imagination

I love this quote. It speaks to how I teach children and what I now know after 30-plus years of teaching. Thank you, Albert Einstein. I first saw this on my friend Paulette Motzko’s wonderful blog, totallyinspiredmind.com.  She always has something uplifting … Continue reading

Posted in Einstein, Imagination, Quotes | Tagged , , , | 31 Comments

Our Memory Garden

As Memorial Day approaches, I think of our Memory Garden at school.  It is a place to host our Memorial Day Remembrance for children and families, and a place to celebrate the hero in all of us on Kindness Peace … Continue reading

Posted in patriotism, Peace, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 47 Comments

Look What Happened!

Independent reading.  SSR.  Call it what you like.  It is crossing over from learning to read words, to learning to read.  Parents and teachers alike take a deep breath and clasp their hands together when this happens.  There are no words … Continue reading

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 57 Comments