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.

“Katy and The Big Snow”– Geography, a Compass, and Measuring

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Jennie

Katy and the Big Snow, by Virginia Lee Burton is a classic children’s book that continues to be beloved today.  After two major snow storms this week, it was the perfect read.  The book never gets old, children always find … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, geography, Imagination, Math, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Geography, Africa, and Preschool Immersion

Posted on February 11, 2017 by Jennie

One of our most treasured and well-used classroom books is the Big Book of the World.  We love to look through the book as it shows not only physical maps of the world, continents and countries, but also animals, agriculture, … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, geography, Imagination, Learning About the World, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Language, Literacy, Imagination, and Reading-Aloud

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Jennie

People often ask why I chapter read.  After all, many of the children in my classroom are are three-years-old.  When we chapter read, the children don’t have an image from a picture book.  They have to make the pictures in … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 49 Comments

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

Fairy Tales and fantasy have always captivated children. When they are outside of their own world, which is often a place of an uphill climb to learn and grow, then they can truly be immersed in the story at hand– … Continue reading →

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