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.

Children Giving To Their Sergeant Pen-Pal; A Life Lesson

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Jennie

Children are egocentric by nature.  Therefore, teaching the most important things in life, such as genuine thanks and caring, takes more than just words.  It takes doing. After writing letters and drawing pictures for Sergeant Curran, our pen-pal stationed in … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Giving, Kindness, Math, military, patriotism, Peace, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Milly and Our Peace Quilt

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Jennie

In the fall of 2015, the children in my classroom wrote a Peace Book; what they thought peace really was, through their eyes.  The book was genuine: my new baby sister, the ocean, reading a book, dinner with my family, and … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Imagination, Peace, quilting, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 50 Comments

Music Keeps Inspiring Art

Posted on April 1, 2017 by Jennie

Artists just… know.  So do children.  They both tell the world their passion through painting.  When music becomes part of creating art, magic happens. “Art should make you feel, like music.”  -Wassily Kandinsky- Kandinsky is a favorite artist with the children.  They … Continue reading →

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

Happiness Can Be Bought!

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Jennie
Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

What Music Does For Art

Posted on March 26, 2017 by Jennie

“Where Words Fail, Music Speaks” – Hans Christian Anderson- Every year I am surprised when I bring to school my old record player, which looks much like a suitcase.  I simply but it down on the floor in front of … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, music, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 79 Comments

Thank You, Dr. Charles French

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Jennie

I posted on my blog yesterday, “A Gift of Charlotte’s Web.”  As I scrolled down to print a hard copy (yes, I have a hard copy of every blog post- it’s wonderful), I looked at the three suggested readings of similar … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 44 Comments

A Gift of Charlotte’s Web

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Jennie

When Sydney’s mother asked me if she could get every child in the class a copy of Charlotte’s Web, I was speechless. “Scholastic has the book for a dollar this month.  It’s really not much”, she said. Not much?  Are you … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , | 49 Comments

Before Smartphones and Computers Kids Had Real Fun

Posted on March 19, 2017 by Jennie

The best learning takes place outdoors, where children have to figure things out on their own. No parents or teachers to guide them. This is critical, divergent thinking. That is what astronauts need. So do artists and writers, musicians and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 24 Comments

The Art Show Begins

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Jennie

Next week we begin in earnest to prepare for our annual Art Show for the entire community. In past years children have painted major works of art.  I am never surprised when they love a piece of art.  I am … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Imagination, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Why Do Play Performances?

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Jennie

Paying attention to children and what they like is the key to their greatest learning experiences.  It’s called emergent curriculum, and this is much like how it happens: “Imagine being on a quest with a group of children, walking through … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, play performances, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 24 Comments