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.

Reading Aloud “Ox-Cart Man”

Posted on November 22, 2020 by Jennie

At the request of fellow bloggers, here is a video of me reading aloud the classic children’s picture book, “Ox-Cart Man.” But first, I wanted to show you a mural the children made last year that hangs as a permanent … Continue reading →

Posted in America, art, books, children's books, Early Education, geography, history, Inspiration, Nature, Particia MacLachlan, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 69 Comments

November – “Ox-Cart Man”

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Jennie

As I drove home tonight and looked at the sky, I immediately knew it was an “Ox-Cart Man” sky, the one in November where he finally arrived back home.  Do you know “Ox-Cart Man” by Donald Hall? It is one … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, history, Particia MacLachlan, picture books, Poetry, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

StoryWalk – An Eric Carle Book

Posted on November 15, 2020 by Jennie

A StoryWalk is a book, told with a series of signs, planted outdoors along a walk, that take you through each page of a book.  You follow along, walking from one ‘page’ of a story to the next.  It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, picture books, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 60 Comments

Preschoolers Thank Veterans

Posted on November 12, 2020 by Jennie

At school this week children made a giant thank you note and American flag for our local veterans.  Saying thank you is important, but this goes deeper.  Veterans and Veterans Day help me to teach children about core values; honesty, … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Kindness, military, patriotism, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 63 Comments

Today’s Quote

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Jennie

Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale. ~ Hans Christian Andersen ~ ________________ Today’s Quote

Posted in Uncategorized | 39 Comments

Music We Love – Our “Wake-Up Song”

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Jennie

Music is part of our school day, every day.  Thank goodness!  We have many favorite songs, from rhyming to silly, classics to new discoveries, patriotic, quiet and loud, and… well, I play all kinds of music for children.  They love … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, Love, music, preschool, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 54 Comments

“Learning to Lose”

Posted on November 7, 2020 by Jennie

Originally posted on Saved By Words:
I have played hundreds of board and card games as the oldest child of four, as a mother and as a grandmother. In all of these activities there is a winner and often several…

Posted in Uncategorized | 31 Comments

Gloria – a Regular Day at School

Posted on November 7, 2020 by Jennie

Somehow Gloria knows how to make things right for a child.  Emmett left his lovey kitty at school.  Here is his mother’s email: Hi all, Emmett came home today without lovey kitty. He doesn’t remember where lovey kitty is in … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, preschool | Tagged , , | 52 Comments

A child’s tale

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Jennie

Originally posted on Sue Vincent's Daily Echo:
Road to Love – S.Vincent I had one of those ‘moments’ today as I passed between the bookcases in the bedroom. It is odd the things that make it through the veneer…

Posted in children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, reading, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Halloween’s Full Moon…a Little Creepy

Posted on October 31, 2020 by Jennie

I was determined to take a photo of tonight’s Halloween full moon – the first full moon and blue moon on Halloween night since 1944. This was the first photo I snapped from my backyard.  We had snow yesterday, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Halloween | Tagged , , , | 82 Comments