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.

“It Happened Like This…”

This is the classic line to begin a great story, and a true story.  I say this often in the classroom, as language and stories are strong building blocks.  The children are very familiar with this phrase, as I tell … Continue reading

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Roots and Wings…and Thunderstorms

Some years ago I was on my porch with my adult daughter watching the big thunderstorm rumble into our yard. We were both enjoying the anticipation as well as the storm itself. I asked my daughter what memories popped into … Continue reading

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A Memorial Day in My Classroom

Our school wide Memorial Day remembrance some years ago with General Zukauskas and Cadet Crampton was stirring and moving, to say the least.  I think holding the American flag and singing patriotic songs, particularly “The Star Spangled Banner”, were quite … Continue reading

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Music and Singing; The Little Things Become the Big Things, Especially With Patriotic Songs.

It all started with Jackson.  He’s a music lover in the classroom, and remembers what he hears.  Songs that are meaningful to him are not forgotten and often requested for us to sing.  Yesterday was the culmination of a slow … Continue reading

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Lunch Time Conversation in the Classroom; It’s Important!

I thought you might enjoy a a little verbal window into my classroom at 12:00 PM.  Is it chaos or is it beneficial?  Yes, there is chaos.  The logistics of of getting fifteen children set up for lunch is no … Continue reading

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The Power of Singing. It’s Far More Than Music.

Yesterday a child in my class had a very difficult drop-off.  All the words in the world from Mom, and all her hugs and reassurances just didn’t make a dent.  I was equally unsuccessful in helping Mom to say goodbye … Continue reading

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Teaching Peace Through Diversity

Teachable moments do not always happen when planned. Teachers work hard to implement a rich curriculum and include all styles of learning. Yet, sometimes the best opportunities occur at unexpected times. That is exactly what happened this week in the … Continue reading

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Giving the Gift of Reading and Friendship

Never underestimate children.  The same goes for those who know what it takes to make a difference with children.  This week both statements came into clear focus when I drove from Massachusetts to West Virginia with a car full of … Continue reading

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Sharing Literacy and Changing Learning

After thirty years of teaching, if someone pinned me down and asked, “Okay, Jennie, what is the most important thing you teach, and what makes the biggest difference?”, I would know the answer, hands-down.  Really.  It is literacy and reading … Continue reading

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My Classroom; It Keeps Getting Better

I’ll never forget the day that it hit me like a ton of bricks: my classroom, the physical space, was dysfunctional.  For decades I had prided myself in understanding children and relating to them in every way.  My fifteen children … Continue reading

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