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.

Quotations on Education

Posted on July 6, 2017 by Jennie

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
(https://commons.wikimedia.org) “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.”                                                                       Margaret Mead ? (https://en.wikipedia.org George Romney — Artist) “The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.”                                                                      Thomas…

Posted in Uncategorized | 22 Comments

Making “The Star-Spangled Banner” Come Alive

Posted on July 4, 2017 by Jennie

Every year I make our country’s National Anthem ‘come alive’ for my preschoolers.  This is a hard song to sing, especially for children.  They know the tune, and thanks to baseball on television and sporting events, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Learning About the World, military, patriotism, Peace, picture books, reading, Singing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

The Big Day, Milly & The Quilt

Posted on July 1, 2017 by Jennie

I travelled with Milly, the master quilter, to the Massachusetts State House in Boston this week.  We presented my classroom’s Peace Quilt to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.  What a day!  This quilt has been two years in the making, … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Imagination, Kindness, Peace, quilting, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 71 Comments

Graduations, and My Role Model

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Jennie

Graduations are over, and it’s a time that I reflect.  The school year has ended and children move on.  Actually, they move forward.  I know they do.  Because they come back and tell me wonderful things that are happening in their lives.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Kindness, Learning About the World, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 51 Comments

Children Don’t Forget

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Jennie

I wish I could remember everything important, like the titles of all the books I intend to read this summer.  I can recall stories galore of yesteryear, with crystal clear pictures in my head.  The present often seems cloudy in … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , | 62 Comments

Last (and Best) Parent Newsletter of the Year

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Jennie

My final newsletter to parents.  I tell them in a nutshell everything that mattered; the best thirty minutes of the day that made children’s minds come alive and made their hearts beat.  And every day, every thirty minutes, it happened. … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 30 Comments

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

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Jennie

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

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Jennie

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

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Jennie

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

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Jennie

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