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.

Why?

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Jennie

Why does 62 degrees feel delightful on my open porch, yet freezing cold inside?  Me thinks it’s the porch, not the temperature, that feels so good.  A piece of heaven, I guess. ❤️ Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Mother Nature, Nature | Tagged , , | 51 Comments

Steve the Crossing Guard

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Jennie

Steve is a fellow blogger and a school crossing guard in western New York state.  I have to tell you what he does with children.  Obviously the best teachers are not always teachers in the classroom. Last January he wrote … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, young children | Tagged , , , , | 125 Comments

A Note Of Thanks

Posted on June 11, 2018 by Jennie

Dear Allie, Yes, we have had two wonderful years together. You have a gigantic heart. You are Gloria’s BFF.  You adore chapter reading. I love you. Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 33 Comments

What Happens at Chapter Reading, Part II

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Jennie

Our final chapter reading book this year at school is Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  The last chapter that we read, ‘Indians in the House’, sparked intense questions and conversations about Indians and people who are … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Death and dying, Early Education, Family, history, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

What Happens at Chapter Reading

Posted on June 4, 2018 by Jennie

My copy of Little House on the Prairie is so well-loved that two entire sections of the book have fallen out.  No matter; the words are all there.  I wouldn’t trade that book for anything.  When I finish reading each … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, history, Kindness, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

Quotations on Books

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Jennie

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
(https://pixabay.com) “A room without books is like a body without a soul.”                                                                 Marcus Tullius Cicero ? (https://commons.wikimedia.org) “Books are the mirrors of the soul.”                                                                 Virginia Woolf (https://en.wikipedia.org) “I don’t…

Posted in Uncategorized | 29 Comments

A Joy Story!

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Jennie

Got four minutes?  Want to see one of the greatest clips of real joy?  I mean real.  Grab a seat.  En-joy! Thank you to Inga, my fellow teacher.  She is a magician because she finds these things that are the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration | Tagged , , , , , , | 42 Comments

A Memorial Day Remembrance

Posted on May 27, 2018 by Jennie

We have a Memory Garden at school on the playground, and it is oh so lovely. Children often stop to look, or just “be”.  Somehow they understand that it is a special place. Classroom pets who have died are buried … Continue reading →

Posted in American flag, Early Education, Giving, Kindness, military, patriotism, Peace, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 73 Comments

Get Caught Reading

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Jennie

Get caught reading! Jennie

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, picture books, reading, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Guest Readers

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Jennie

 Guest Readers. Superheroes. They remember books, stories, and chapter reading in my classroom. Children return. Every year. They love to read. Thank you, Emma and Liam. “The more that you read the more things you will know.  The more that … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Giving, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Student alumni, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 30 Comments