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.

A Discovery!

Today was the kindergarten’s “100 Day Museum’”display in the library at school.  When children reach the 100 day milestone, they make a project at home, something that contains 100 objects.  Classes are invited to the ‘museum’.  We even had tickets … Continue reading

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, literacy, museums, School, Teaching young children | 50 Comments

It Seems Like Yesterday

Happy Anniversary with WordPress.com! You registered on WordPress.com 8 years ago. Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging.

Posted in Uncategorized | 57 Comments

Dolls, Love, and Lucy School

My beloved childhood dolls It started last week.  Dolls.  It is growing in ways teachers hadn’t imagined.  We rotate our dramatic play area frequently, and it’s been a while since it was our traditional housekeeping area with a play kitchen … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Gloria, Inspiration, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 73 Comments

Today’s Quote

Posted in Uncategorized | 23 Comments

Heart & Love

Valentine’s Day isn’t about flowers and candy.  It’s about love.  For my children at school, a teacher’s love is where it all starts.  You can’t have a heart without love.  Love is infectious, and makes the heart grow.  The bigger … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Love, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 83 Comments

There’s Something About Trees

This gallery contains 50 photos.

Thank you, Mitch Teemley for your wise and wonderful trees. Yes, they are earth’s elders, storing its wisdom. Trees are also central to children learning about life and nature. They play a big role. Very big. Mitch Teemley They’re the … Continue reading

More Galleries | 32 Comments

Olympics and Children

Today I showed children Nathan Chen’s Gold Medal Olympic performance.  Children need to be inspired by the Olympic athletes.  Why?  Because they need to see regular people who were just like them, and worked hard.  They need to cheer success.  … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 48 Comments

India

Whenever my preschool curriculum is focused on a country, it always explodes in the best of ways.  Children are captivated as soon as we open our Big Book Atlas and view our satellite map.  We sing the ‘Days of the … Continue reading

Posted in children's books, Diversity, Early Education, geography, Inspiration, Learning About the World, picture books, play performances, preschool, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 70 Comments

Parent Newsletter, Robots, TED Talk

One of the hardest things this school year has been communicating with parents.  That all important face-to-face greeting and conversation, every day at drop-off and pick-up, is limited to distancing in the school lobby while wearing masks.  We Zoom, write … Continue reading

Posted in Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture stories, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 74 Comments

My Portrait

Can you tell I’m a robot?  Isn’t this the best portrait of me, ever? We’re learning about robots in school this month.  It’s exciting for children.  So far we have built our own giant classroom robot,  played with Snap-Bots and … Continue reading

Posted in art, Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children, Uncategorized, wonder | Tagged , , , | 63 Comments