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.

Death and Dying, and Chapter Reading

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Jennie

I finished reading our first chapter book of the school year, Charlotte’s Web.  Children were engrossed in this book because it is a story about the heart, and my most important job is educating the heart.  As such, they began … Continue reading →

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So, What Happened to Dinner?

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Jennie

I worry that dinner together just doesn’t happen enough with families.  You know, the good old sit down together, passing and serving food, talking about the day.  The benefits are huge, and I’d like to tell you why.  I’ll start … Continue reading →

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Singing a Peace Song

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Jennie

Singing and music with children is transforming.  It happens every time; as soon as I pull out the autoharp or ‘song jar’ I have a classroom of children who are craving the experience of music and singing.  I’m not a … Continue reading →

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Writing to an Author

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Jennie

I write and I read.  When I read something that knocks my socks off, I write to the author.  This doesn’t happen often.  Perhaps that’s because it takes quite a lot to knock my socks off.  Yet when I do … Continue reading →

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Jennie and Milly the Quilter

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Jennie

I had dinner with Milly the quilter tonight.  She has been such an important part of my classroom over the years.  Her quilts are works of art, and when she quilts with children somehow she creates a magic connection that … Continue reading →

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Visiting Carl Larsson

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Jennie
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Marinating Vocabulary

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Jennie

‘Marinating Vocabulary’.  I heard Pam Allyn, a guru on reading and reading-aloud, speak those words last week.  They hit me like a stone.  Each time I read aloud from a chapter book those words do far more than go into … Continue reading →

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Why Do I Write Picture Stories and Read Chapter Books?

Posted on September 20, 2015 by Jennie

My first project of the school year is writing picture stories with the children.  Language is critical to learning in all academic areas, so its only natural that creating picture stories is an excellent tool for teachers. Its a fun … Continue reading →

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The Importance of Storytelling

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Jennie

Originally posted on MichelleSaulTheWordWitch:
Currently in my Irish Literature class we are reading the novel Ireland by Frank Delaney. This novel focuses a lot on storytelling and the importance of telling stories to each other. The main character, Ronan, is…

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Dear Teachers, Joy is the Magic Word

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Jennie

Dear Teachers, As you start your new school year there is one word that will get you through the uncertainty and the worry.  It’s the same word that is the heart of educating.  That word is ‘joy’.  No, it’s not … Continue reading →

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