Author Archives: Jennie

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.

Abraham Lincoln’s Famous Letter to His Son’s Teacher

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Jennie

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Picture Books, Humor & Vocabulary

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Jennie

Author Ryan T. Higgins is hysterical. I mean unexpected, fall-down-laughing hysterical. His two children’s books are favorites in my classroom. The storyline is a grumpy old bear who likes eggs, and what happens is imaginative and funny. I read Mother … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, reading aloud, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged children's books, Early Education, language development, literacy, preschool, reading aloud, reading books to children, teaching young children | 27 Comments

Two Blog Awards

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Jennie

Thank you to my good friend and happy blogger Nina over at The Happy Life – http://www.thehappylife101.wordpress.com – for nominating me for the Versatile Blog Award. I am honored! The rules are to list seven random facts about yourself, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Kindness, Peace | Tagged blog award, education, Inspiration, Kindness, Quotes | 21 Comments

Quotations on Imagination

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Jennie

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
(https://pixabay.com) “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” Albert Einstein (https://en.wikipedia.org) “Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.” Jonathan Swift ? “Imagination will often carry us…

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Making Magic

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Jennie

Each year I host a party for children and their families, and every year it creates magic– not the storybook or pretend magic, but something very real. Families gather with their children when school closes and have a pizza party … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children | Tagged Early Education, magic, Making a Difference, teaching young children | 39 Comments

Singing Spontaneously

Posted on October 15, 2016 by Jennie

Singing is perhaps the second most important thing I do for children, right behind reading-aloud. The biggest impact seems to come when singing is spontaneous. Lunchtime was a case in point: “You Are My Sunshine” lunchbox note. Savannah’s lunchbox often … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged Early Education, Singing, Singing spontaneously, Singing with Young Children, the power of music | 34 Comments

“Gloria”

Posted on October 9, 2016 by Jennie

Gloria is perhaps the kindest and most beloved member of my class. She has been around for quite some time, and she returned to school this week. The children were… well, a bit unsure at first. After all, Gloria is … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Kindness, Peace, Teaching young children | Tagged Early Education, Making a Difference, Puppets, Teaching children, Teaching Diversity | 52 Comments

“The Poet’s Dog”, a Book For The Ages

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Jennie

“Dogs speak words. But only poets and children hear.” Those are the opening words in Patricia MacLachlan’s new book, The Poet’s Dog. I have read the book twice, because there are many words not to be missed; words that are … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged Book Review, Early Education, reading | 34 Comments

Charles French, Author and Educator

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Jennie

I am pleased to tell you about Charles French, an accomplished author and educator who is publishing his new book, Maledicus: Paranormal Investigative Society Book I. Let me start at the beginning of my story of Dr. French; his blogging, … Continue reading →

Posted in Author interview, Uncategorized | Tagged Author interview, education, Horror novel | 27 Comments

Be Kind. It’s Worth It!

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Jennie

Originally posted on thehappylife101:
Hello Everyone, My questions for you today are: How do we show kindness? Why do we have to be kind? What do we get for being kind? This amazing video that I will share with you has…