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.

Making Picture Books Come Alive – With Props at Home

Posted on May 10, 2020 by Jennie

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

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Jennie

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

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Jennie

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

Posted on April 28, 2020 by Jennie

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

Posted on April 25, 2020 by Jennie

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

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Jennie

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

Earth Day – “What a Wonderful World”

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Jennie

Earth Day is the day to give back to our earth, our world. When we take care of our earth, the earth takes care of us, and we have a wonderful world. “What a Wonderful World” I read the book … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Learning About the World, Mother Nature, music, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 36 Comments

National Library Week 2020

Posted on April 21, 2020 by Jennie

Originally posted on By Hook Or By Book:
Celebrating National Library Week is going to be a little challenging this year, but are we up to it? What’s that?  I don’t think I heard you. Now THAT’S what I’m talking…

Posted in Uncategorized | 14 Comments

Shining Stars

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Jennie

I looked at the stars tonight. I thought about the children in my class. I wasn’t sad, because children are shining stars. Jennie

Posted in art, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 51 Comments

The Past Two (and more ) Weeks – School Then and Now, Part 4

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Jennie

In Part 3, I jumped right into what children need most and what I do best, reading aloud.  Setting up a YouTube channel gave them stories every day.  It was also a constant.  Then, we challenged children with art, scavenger hunts, … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Dogs, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, geography, history, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , | 83 Comments