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.

beginning…

Posted on December 10, 2022 by Jennie

Originally posted on I didn't have my glasses on….:
https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=787006252392996 https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=787006252392996 Aurora Borealis Observatory  Reindeer under the aurora ? — “i always believe that the sky is the beginning of the limit.” -MC Hammer

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments

Family, and a Trip into Boston

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Jennie

Family!  That word is powerful, for it’s how we grow, and how we ‘become’.  It is our source of support and extended love, even though it can be tumultuous at times. I tell my preschool class that we are a … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Love, museums, Nature, trains, wonder | Tagged , , , | 72 Comments

Rainbows

Posted on December 2, 2022 by Jennie

 “Jennie!  Come quick!  There’s a rainbow in the bathroom.” What a surprise. Everyone clamored into the bathroom for a look, to put their hands onto the rainbow. The rainbow miraculously appeared on little hands. Sometimes wonder needs no words. The … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Inspiration, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 67 Comments

My Teacher Lightbulb Moment – Part 2

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Jennie

In Part 1 I wrote about the moment a child and I smiled together, and how that was the start of my becoming a ‘real teacher’. Part 2 is how I continued, and how my teaching grew. I became ‘one’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, joy, Love, preschool, quilting, reading aloud, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 104 Comments

Education Quotations

Posted on November 25, 2022 by Jennie

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
(https://en.wikipedia.org) “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.”                                                                               Margaret Mead (https://pixabay.com) “The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.”                                                                               Thomas Paine (https://en.wikipedia.org) “Do not train…

Posted in Uncategorized | 31 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Jennie

Happy Thanksgiving Our gigantic turkey From my school to your house, may you enjoy a turkey dinner with family and friends. Most importantly, may you enjoy loved ones and the many things to be thankful for. I am thankful for … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving thanks, preschool, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , | 65 Comments

My Teacher Lightbulb Moment – Part 1

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Jennie

Fellow blogger Don at Don Ostertag: Off Stage recently commented, “If only other teachers were children at heart.” It hit home with me, because that is when I became a ‘real’ teacher.  That’s when I found my heart.  No, that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, joy, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , | 98 Comments

The Most Important Lessons in School

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Jennie

Originally posted on Pete Springer:
The Dalai Lama (Photo from Pixabay) One of the first pieces of advice I offer new teachers is never to lose focus on the universal lessons they want their students to learn. The primary role…

Posted in Uncategorized | 23 Comments

Never Underestimate Children’s Creativity

Posted on November 17, 2022 by Jennie

I am still learning.  After 39 years of teaching preschool, I still learn from children.  Thank goodness!  Today was one of those days, or I should say one of those ‘moments’. It happened like this… We’re learning about woodland animals.  … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Diversity, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 71 Comments

An Oxymoron Sky

Posted on November 13, 2022 by Jennie

Bright sun, black sky late this afternoon. An oxymoron, Mother Nature’s playful way. Did she want us to look up? Take in the last color of fall? I was captivated. People walked by, never looking. I was the winner, others … Continue reading →

Posted in E.B. White, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 62 Comments