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.

One Picture for a Thousand Words.

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Jennie

Our final chapter reading book this year at school was Little House on the Prairie.  The last chapter that we read was ‘Fresh Water to Drink’.  Pa and his neighbor, Mr. Scott, were digging a well.  Pa was careful to lower … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Saturday 7

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Jennie

In Sue’s words, “Some posts have the potential to change the world. Here are 7 of them.” I am humbled that my post “How Children Really Learn” is among the seven. Thank you Sue. Please check out her blog, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Chapter Reading

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Jennie

Chapter reading is one of our treasured moments of the day.  We bring to life the imagination, the world, and the past.  The anticipation of ‘what happens next’ stirs excitement every day.  Children listen and think.  They ask questions.  Ask … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 38 Comments

Practicing Handwriting and Math…In a Chinese Restaurant

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Jennie

Our dramatic play area is now a Chinese restaurant.  We have added menus, a wok, a cash register with money from our ‘travel box’, order pads and pencils, aprons, and chopsticks. Learning takes place in many different ways.  The setting … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Blog Award

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Jennie

One Lovely Blog Award I have been nominated for this award by Charles French at https://charlesfrenchonwordsreadingandwriting.wordpress.com.  Thank you very much for this honor, Charles.  If you have not yet visited his blog, please do so.  He is an English Professor and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

How Children Really Learn

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Jennie

The classroom seemed quiet, even though rice was everywhere on the floor, and nothing resembled the set-up of activities that teachers had carefully arranged.  Yet, every child was fully engaged in important play.  I stepped back for a moment to … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 35 Comments

Memorial Day Remembrance

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Jennie

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 →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Benefits of Reading, Fiction and Empathy

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Jennie

There is a reason I begin every school year by reading aloud Charlotte’s Web.  Besides being a terrific story that children love year after year, the underlying message goes far deeper than the friendship between Charlotte the spider and Wilbur the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Benefits of Reading

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Jennie

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
https://pixabay.com I have previously written about the happiness of reading, a pleasure I hope everyone, or at least, most people experience. As I wrote before, I consider reading to be one…

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Teaching Acceptance, Not Diversity

Posted on May 15, 2016 by Jennie

Garth Williams illustration, courtesy Harper & Row One never knows when a powerful teaching moment presents itself.  In spite of all the lesson planning, the real times an educator can seize the opportunity to teach young children often come unexpectedly.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments