Author Archives: Jennie

About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over thirty-five 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.

HELLO! Remember Me?

Originally posted on Pacific Paratrooper:
Tomorrow is 1 May, the start of Military Appreciation Month.  I thought it appropriate to remind some about the flag they fly under and why…… Some call me Old Glory, others call me the Star…

Posted in Uncategorized | 30 Comments

Music and Beauty

“The Hills are Alive With the Sound of Music.” Music fills the soul. When atop a hill, on a farm, surrounded by the glory of nature as far as the eye can see, all is good. Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, geography, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Mother Nature, music, Nature, Singing, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 59 Comments

My 70th Birthday

There were the many cards and the emails, texts and phone calls, to wish me a happy birthday today.  70 is weird, because when I was young 70 was old, and I’m still the queen of rock and roll (at … Continue reading

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Giving thanks, Kindness, picture books, reading | Tagged , , , , , | 123 Comments

Quotations on Perseverance

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
In these difficult times when many are feeling great stress and fear, please do not be upset about inconvenience. I hope a few quotations might be useful. (www.pixabay.com) “Courage is not…

Posted in Uncategorized | 40 Comments

Making Picture Books Come Alive – With Props at Home

How to Expand Literacy and Reading Picture Books When You are Quarantined at Home One of the mainstays of teaching children is reading aloud books.  Why?  Children are drawn to stories.  They love hearing the words, and for good reason.  … Continue reading

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, play performances, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

Little Things are Really Big Things

In difficult times, like now, the little things we do for others become most important. They’re really the big things. Yet, it has always been this way. Perhaps we never had the time to truly appreciate those little moments. Now … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 65 Comments

Teachers’ Video Thank You to Parents – Updated

Our teacher video thank you to parents and their children has been updated to a far better song and a more appropriate artist.  Enjoy! Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 54 Comments

“Gloria” and National Superhero Day

Today is National Superhero Day.  Gloria wanted to celebrate.  She dressed up for the big day.  She wanted to be a Superhero. I had a talk with Gloria.  She needed to know that a real superhero doesn’t need a costume. … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 95 Comments

Faces

Originally posted on Down the Hall on Your Left:
Faces. Everybody has one with the exception of those people we meet who turn out to have two, but we try to avoid them. As a youth in Pennsylvania there was…

Posted in Uncategorized | 16 Comments

First Day Out

Today we had a drive-by birthday party for a fellow teacher.  It was the first time ‘out’ except for occasional trips to the grocery store, which are somber and depressing.  The masks and one-way lines and store monitors will one … Continue reading

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, joy, music, Singing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 82 Comments