Category Archives: music

When Children Uncover the Learning

Posted on September 30, 2020 by

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 , , , , | 78 Comments

Music and Movement – The Brain and the Body

Posted on September 25, 2020 by

We are spending more time outdoors with children at school.  That includes music and movement.  I take my autoharp to the hill or the Woodland Grove, and we sing and dance and move.  Music is at the heart of children’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, joy, Math, Mindfulness, music, Nature, preschool, Singing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 82 Comments

The Student’s Letter…and More

Posted on September 20, 2020 by

Roshan visiting four years ago. I am always surprised when I hear from a former student.  This letter from Roshan made my day: Dear Ms. Jennie, How are you doing? This is Roshan. I am currently in 12th grade this … Continue reading →

Posted in America, art, Early Education, Giving thanks, history, Inspiration, Math, military, music, patriotism, preschool, Quotes, Student alumni, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , | 72 Comments

Music and Beauty

Posted on May 17, 2020 by

“The Hills are Alive With the Sound of Music.” Music fills the soul. When atop a hill, on a farm, surrounded by the glory of nature as far as the eye can see, all is good. Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, geography, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Mother Nature, music, Nature, Singing, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 59 Comments

First Day Out

Posted on April 24, 2020 by

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

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

The Past Two Weeks – School Then and Now, Part 2

Posted on April 2, 2020 by

In Part 1, I immediately addressed how much I miss the children.  They miss me, too.  We had started learning about France, with a big atlas and twenty wide-eyed children who were eager to ‘travel’ to a new country.  Getting sidetracked … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Inspiration, music, preschool, self esteem, The Arts, The Beatles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 83 Comments

The Past Two Weeks – School Then and Now, Part 1

Posted on March 30, 2020 by

I am missing the children.  I know they are missing me.  Learning will always happen, these tender moments won’t.  In the past two weeks our class has completely changed.  Yet, change can be a good thing.  Resilience is born.  Let … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, geography, Inspiration, Learning About the World, music, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 80 Comments

Rodgers and Hammerstein, My Mother, and Me

Posted on March 14, 2020 by

It was my tenth birthday.  Ten was the age when we graduated from birthday parties with paper hats and streamers and playing ‘Pin the Tail on the Donkey’. For my birthday I had the choice of taking three friends to … Continue reading →

Posted in Death and dying, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, music, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 80 Comments

Best Buddy

Posted on January 16, 2020 by

Here is a photo of me and my Best Buddy, fifteen years ago. Yes, Best Buddy.  That’s what we called each other. As the years went on, we saw each other occasionally, and we always called each other Best Buddy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, music, preschool, Singing, Student alumni | Tagged , , , , , | 58 Comments