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.

Four Seasons of Our Wishtree

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Jennie

Last spring children made wishes and hung them onto a tree on the playground at school.  Wishes are important.  The tradition of a Wishtree is worldwide.  We were excited to make our very own.  Everyday those wishes would flutter, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, School, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , | 84 Comments

My Grandmother Nan, and Art

Posted on March 6, 2022 by Jennie

Last week I told the story of my grandmother, Nan. Rose, My Nan, the Log House and Stories She was born and raised in a log house in West Virginia.  She was kind and strong.  She was the same age, … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, history, Inspiration, Love, museums, storytelling, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 75 Comments

Friday happy dance

Posted on March 5, 2022 by Jennie

Originally posted on bluebird of bitterness:
https://youtu.be/UDx3iCv2XCY

Posted in Uncategorized | 33 Comments

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Posted on March 2, 2022 by Jennie

We celebrated the birthday of Dr. Seuss by reading many of his books today.  The rhyming is fun, and critical to children’s language and literacy development.  Dr. Seuss knew how to make learning fun! Then, things took a turn.  A … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, museums, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 68 Comments

Monday Musings …28th February 2022…

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Jennie

Originally posted on Retired? No one told me!:
Norway dominated the winter Olympics.  Yet, the story behind how their athletes got there is fascinating.  Is it rooted in childhood?  You bet!… I found this really fascinating about children’s early years…

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Rose, My Nan, the Log House, and Stories

Posted on February 27, 2022 by Jennie

My grandmother Nan was born in 1886, the same year Laura Ingalls Wilder’s daughter was born.  They both have the same name, too – Rose!  What a connection.  There’s more. Nan as I remember her. Nan when she was 14. … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Family, geography, history, Inspiration, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 90 Comments

My Edward Hopper House

Posted on February 25, 2022 by Jennie

When the sun goes down in the late afternoon, the light and shadows on the white house across the field remind me of an Edward Hopper painting. I love his art. I love this house along the way.  This coming … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Inspiration, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , | 52 Comments

Little House in the Big Woods

Posted on February 24, 2022 by Jennie

“Little House in the Big Woods”, by Laura Ingalls Wilder This is our new chapter reading book at school.  When I introduced the book to the children, I talked about all the chapter books we have read up till now … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Family, geography, history, Learning About the World, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 83 Comments

Boston Dynamics Robots – Update

Posted on February 22, 2022 by Jennie

As many of you know, my preschool children love the robots from Boston Dynamics.  Last year it all started when I accidentally found this video: Children were over the moon.  We watched this video every day, and children began to … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , | 49 Comments

Reading For a Straw: A ‘Eureka’ Moment

Posted on February 21, 2022 by Jennie

Originally posted on S'amusing:
Sometimes, the simplest reward can motivate kids. Take the 1 cent Pixy Stix… A Chrysler assembly plant and Green Giant packing plant were the chief employers in the small northern Illinois town where I began…

Posted in Uncategorized | 17 Comments