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.

Periods of Disequilibrium

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Emergent Curriculum Through Geography

 “From Grizzly Bears to George Washington.” We read a fact book on grizzly bears, which turned into a science lesson on salmon and bald eagles, and a geography lesson on Alaska and Mount Rushmore, and a math lesson on the … Continue reading

Posted in Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Classical Music is the Inspiration for Art

Yesterday I introduced classical music to my preschool classroom, and  it was one of my best days of teaching.  This story has added wonderful twists and turns; the art of Eric Carle and Wassily Kandinsky, and the new Caldecott Honor … Continue reading

Posted in Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Reading Aloud = Academic Success + Pleasure

This is about more than reading; this is about academic success, learning to read, and loving to read.  It’s about young children and older children, and what happens along the way.  Here are worrisome statistics and great stories.  You should … Continue reading

Posted in Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Art Show, and How Books and Music Make the Difference

Eric Carle is a well renowned children’s book author and illustrator.  His museum in Amherst, MA  draws visitors from around the world.  The museum’s focus is on picture book art, because that’s what Eric Carle does, and he does it … Continue reading

Posted in Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Quilting Art With Children: Milly Part II

This is the story of children, a quilter, and how they connected ideas to create art that hangs in national museums.  The first story (prior post) depicts the evolution of the Peace Quilt, and this story is the next chapter.  … Continue reading

Posted in Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Quilting Art With Children: The Story of Milly

I love museums.  They always inspire me, personally and professionally.  I also firmly believe in emergent curriculum in my teaching of young children.  It works!  The two together often ignite learning that transcends over months, and in some cases years.  … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The New Year’s Gift

Today I received a gift for the New Year, and it was not at all what I expected.  I thought I knew pretty much everything about giving, yet I never expected to have the tables turned, where I would be … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Power of Books; You Have to Read It to ‘Get It’

The best part of my day as a teacher, and the most important part, is reading aloud to children.  I read picture books at least twice a day and a chapter book every day.  I always become moved and emotionally … Continue reading

Posted in Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

“Starry Night”

Major pieces of art?  Masterpieces?  Introducing this to preschoolers?  It is not easy to explain to people how and why art can make a difference with young children.  A picture is worth a thousand words, and this picture was just … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments