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.

A New Quilt – Part 1

And to my surprise, the children have driven the making of yet another quilt. Over the past ten years, my preschool class has designed quilts.  Each one materialized because of something the children were passionate about.  When they couldn’t get … Continue reading

Posted in America, American flag, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, geography, history, patriotism, picture books, preschool, quilting, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 68 Comments

Happy Easter from Boston’s Make Way for Ducklings

Photo courtesy Universal Hub Robert McCloskey’s classic story, Make Way for Ducklings, is immortalized in bronze statues in the Public Garden on Boston Common.  Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack  are all … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, picture books, reading | Tagged , , , , , , , | 77 Comments

Magic #midnighthaiku

Originally posted on Sue Vincent's Daily Echo:
Tiny miracles Overlooked by busy minds Crushed by rushing feet Eyes opening in wonder Remember childhood’s magic *

Posted in Uncategorized | 18 Comments

Wonder

Wonder definition – a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable. Last night’s view from dinner, Gibbet Hill, Groton, Massachusetts. Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder. -E.B. White- Jennie

Posted in E.B. White, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, Quotes, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 53 Comments

Surviving Teaching and Finding Joy

Times have changed.  Teaching has far more demands than it used to.  Required paperwork, overcrowded classes, and lack of support begins to take its toll.  At first it all seems manageable.  That fire of wanting to teach keeps the motor … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 93 Comments

How To Have a Beautiful Life

Jennie

Posted in Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Quotes, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 58 Comments

A Field Trip to the Art Show

Children and families and teachers went on a field trip to see the Art Show. Seeing is believing. It’s also loving, and empowering.  In the words of fellow blogger  Laura Bruno Lilly, these children are ‘heartists’ – artists with heart. … Continue reading

Posted in art, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Quotes, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 45 Comments

Go Red Sox!

Cheering the Red Sox on home opening day! Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, joy, Love, preschool, young children | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

Art and Music and Italy – Part 4 – the Finale

Weeks of hard work + joy = great satisfaction and achievement.  That is the perfect equation, exactly how my preschoolers felt when they finally saw their art, their hard work, their masterpieces, mounted and framed. You would think after a … Continue reading

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 69 Comments

Quotations On Poetry

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
(https://pixabay.com) “Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”                                                                     Leonardo da Vinci ? (https://en.wikipedia.org) ? “A poem begins as…

Posted in Uncategorized | 18 Comments