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.
I love history. It’s the stories, and understanding life way back when, that is deeply important – to me. When those lives are on hallowed ground, in the beauty of fall, history comes alive. Groton’s Old Burying Ground is simply … Continue reading →
Posted in America, art, Death and dying, Expressing words and feelings, geography, history, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, The Arts, wonder
|
Tagged New England cemeteries, Old Burying Ground, Old headstones tell a story, Slate headstone carvings, Stone carvers
|
It happens every year. Gloria comes to school, and children are wide-eyed. Silent. Maybe scared. And somehow, she becomes a friend. Well, not exactly. She becomes herself, and children want to be her friend. It started with Eddie. He was … Continue reading →
Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder
|
Tagged Caring, Children have big hearts, Diversity, Gloria, Inspiration, preschool, Puppets in preschool, Teaching Diversity
|
Gloria’s first day back-to-school is tomorrow. She is excited! She has a new face mask with dragonflies. I can tell she’s nervous. I have been reassuring her all day that everything will be fine, and I’ve also been listening to … Continue reading →
Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Teaching young children
|
Tagged Early Education, Gloria, listening to children, Puppets, Teaching Diversity, teaching with puppets, teaching young children
|
The poetry of Robert Frost is a perfect accompaniment to October photos in my small town. These images and scenes are much the same as what Robert Frost would have seen. Surely he was inspired to write poetry in order … Continue reading →
Posted in America, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, Poetry, The Arts
|
Tagged Autumn in New England, October by Robert Frost, Poetry, Robert Frost, The beauty of nature
|
My post yesterday about The Giving Tree was well received. Only one thing was missing – reading the story aloud. Thank you John Howell at Fiction Favorites for his comment: Darn. I settled in and thought you were going to read the … Continue reading →
Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, picture books, reading aloud
|
Tagged Giving, Inspiration, reading aloud, Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree
|
There is a tree on the playground that is old and big. Its branches dip down. Each one seems to have a mind of its own. The boughs sway and reach, and children look up. I wonder if the tree … Continue reading →
Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children
|
Tagged children's books, Giving, Inspiration, Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree, Trees
|
This gallery contains 44 photos.
Mitch Teemley Yes, life is hard. But it’s also beautiful. And funny. And sweet. And we aren’t the only ones who know it. “If animals spoke, humanity would cry.” ~Manuj Rajput Click on any image to enlarge it, or to … Continue reading →
There is a teacher term, ‘Emergent Curriculum’, which simply means that a teacher pays attention and follows the interests of children in order for real learning to happen. It means stopping to listen to what children have to say, and … Continue reading →
Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, music, Nature, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder
|
Tagged Children learning with nature, Dandelions, emergent curriculum, Nature, teaching young children
|
A Teacher's Reflections 