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.

Take Time to Read

Posted on February 4, 2017 by Jennie

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
(pixabay.com) “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”                                                                                   Stephen King ? (pixabay.com) “Read, read, read. Read everything…

Posted in Uncategorized | 27 Comments

Literacy and Math

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Jennie

When I was in first grade, I mastered math placement.  Really.  Math is not my strong suit, but my teacher read aloud Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag.   The repeated text in the book is, “Hundreds of cats, thousands of … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Math, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

When Chapter Reading Isn’t Enough

Posted on January 29, 2017 by Jennie

Charlotte’s Web is a book that has a profound influence on children in the best of ways.  Children listen, often silent because of all the wonder that is going into their brains.  The words alone paint a picture that they relate … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

Why kids can learn more from tales of fantasy than realism

Posted on January 26, 2017 by Jennie

Originally posted on M.C. Tuggle, Writer:
Deena Weisberg is a senior fellow in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Her specialty is “imaginative cognition,” which studies how imagination boosts one’s ability to learn. Her research demonstrates that children absorb…

Posted in Uncategorized | 16 Comments

The Importance of Imagination

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Jennie

Imagination is the most exciting, and the most powerful tool I have when teaching children. It’s the foundation for learning, and for wanting to learn. The best learning that takes place in my classroom is rooted in imagination; from reading … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Picasso, My Grandmother, and Me

Posted on January 22, 2017 by Jennie

My grandmother, Nan, has been my hero since I was a little girl.  I spent Sunday afternoons with her, and it was delightful.  No, it was more than that.  Nan filled me with stories, taffy pulls, and dressing-up.  She drove … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 62 Comments

Starry Night

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Jennie

I’m going to the Art Museum tomorrow, always an experience that fills me.  In anticipation I am sharing a favorite blog post from a few years ago. Major pieces of art?  Masterpieces?  Introducing this to preschoolers?  It is not easy … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 68 Comments

Maya Angelou

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Jennie

Did you know that Maya Angelou wrote a children’s book?  She did, back in 1994.  I have been reading her book to my preschoolers long before I really knew of her. I was always drawn to her quote in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Peace, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 35 Comments

There’s a Story Behind Every Child.

Posted on January 8, 2017 by Jennie

Noah and his big sister Emma When Emma was in my preschool class we took a field trip to the Shriner’s Circus.  That was back in the day when going on a field trip did not require volunteers to carry … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, music, patriotism, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 40 Comments

In the Words of a Child

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Jennie

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.  They must felt with the heart.” -Helen Keller- It happened like this… Children were gathered to hear a story.  I was ready to read-aloud two … Continue reading →

Posted in Kindness, picture books, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 56 Comments