Author Archives: Jennie

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.

Current News – Lee Greenwood & the Air Force Band Singing Sergeants

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Jennie

Originally posted on Pacific Paratrooper:
? Home Free – Greenwood & the Air Force Band Singing Sergeants ? The traditional rendition of country music singer Lee Greenwood’s iconic “God Bless the U.S.A.,” already has a broad appeal as an uplifting…

Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments

The Purple Snapdragon

Posted on July 14, 2020 by Jennie

Dear Purple Snapdragon, Your stalk grew too tall. You fell over every day. I cradled you and propped you up. Nothing worked. Nothing helped. Finally I let you go. I put you in the garden to fend for yourself. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, self esteem, wonder | Tagged Children are like flowers, flowers, Growing, Roots and Wings, Snapdragons | 63 Comments

Quotation on the Importance of Play

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Jennie

Yesterday my post on Kindergarten Means “Garden of Children” inspired many wonderful comments. In particular, Dan Antion at nofacilities.com said this: We have our entire lives to learn, but the period of time we have to really play keeps getting … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Play, preschool, Quotes, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged Children, Dan Antion, Friedrich Froebel, Kindergarten, nofacilities.com, Quotations, the importance of play | 47 Comments

Kindergarten Means “Garden of Children”

Posted on July 11, 2020 by Jennie

My garden is a new venture every year. We bought an older home with an established flower garden in 2002. When summer arrived I couldn’t wait to see what would bloom. It was a joy to discover new flowers. Since … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, preschool, self esteem, Teaching young children, The Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged Children and flowers, Friedrich Froebel, how children learn and grow, Kindergarten, Kindergarten is a garden of children | 96 Comments

Words, Wonderful Words…

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Jennie

Originally posted on Joy Lennick:
Every now and then I pontificate on the power and magic of words. Those twenty-six little letters have faithfully served us ever since “Adam” said Ugg to “Eve.” And, in what variety! True and Fairy…

Posted in Uncategorized | 35 Comments

Quote of the day

Posted on July 6, 2020 by Jennie

Originally posted on M.C. Tuggle, Writer:
“By failing to read or listen to poets, society dooms itself to inferior modes of articulation, those of the politician, the salesman, or the charlatan. In other words, it forfeits its own evolutionary…

Posted in Uncategorized | 33 Comments

Fourth of July

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Jennie

Someone in the family is very talented! Happy Fourth of July! Jennie

Posted in America, American flag, Inspiration | Tagged Cupcakes, Decorating cupcakes, Fourth of July | 48 Comments

Happy Birthday, America

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Jennie

Happy Birthday, America. This flag was flown over the Navy Memorial in Washington DC. Proud to be an American, one nation, one people, with freedoms I will never take for granted. Jennie

Posted in America, American flag, Expressing words and feelings, geography, history, Inspiration, military, patriotism | Tagged America, American flag, Fourth of July, patriotism | 52 Comments

Underground Library Society

Posted on July 3, 2020 by Jennie

What would you do if a beloved book, rich in meaning and literature, were to be banned, gone forever? Would you vow to memorize the book in order to save it? I would. When Charles French, a professor of English … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Diversity, E.B. White, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Learning About the World, Nature, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged Charlotte's Web, children's books, Classic books, Making a Difference, The Story of Little Babaji, Underground Library Society | 89 Comments

Today’s Quote

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Jennie

Vincent van Gogh not only painted beautifully, he spoke of love and strength. Thank you Theresa for posting van Gogh’s Starry Night and his quotation.