Category Archives: Uncategorized

Music Brings Unexpected Learning

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Jennie

A child brought to school a CD with the “Star Wars” theme song.  Fortunately it was a recording of all the John Williams movie themes, and that means good music and a golden opportunity for learning.  We began with mindful … Continue reading →

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Children’s Stories

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Jennie

Children have incredible words, given the opportunity to tell their story. As I took down a hallway art display I read (yet again) the story that children had created about living in a castle.  What would they do and who … Continue reading →

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The Boy With the Red Hair

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Jennie

January is always a busy month at school, and tonight I was tired.  My husband and I had errands to do after school, so we had dinner at a small local restaurant.  Just when I thought I had nothing left, … Continue reading →

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Reading Aloud. ‘Star Wars’, Move Over

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Jennie

Thursdays I read aloud at the library.  I chapter read, and that is far different than reading a story.  Each Thursday ends with and then?  For thirty minutes children are glued to every word, because those words are powerful and … Continue reading →

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Mindfulness

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Jennie

I brought my stack of magazines with me on a trip out west so I could ‘catch up’, read and toss.  I typically pick up a book to read so my pile of magazines was growing.  As I settled in … Continue reading →

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Peace Poetry with Preschoolers

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Jennie

Some years ago my class spent time under a Peace Portal we made on top of our classroom loft.  It was constructed with four columns of carpeting tubes painted in black and decorated in a way that children wanted.  The … Continue reading →

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Reading Aloud in High School? Yes!

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Jennie

A few years ago at a holiday party I talked with a friend who is head of the English Department at a prep school in Massachusetts.  She teaches senior English. We talked about reading in the classroom, particularly reading aloud.  … Continue reading →

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Reading Aloud; A Source of Making Cuban Cigars

Posted on December 5, 2015 by Jennie

Reading aloud never gets old.  It weathers time and generations.  It makes a marked difference.  Children who are read aloud to are typically one grade year ahead of their peers.  They have ‘the right stuff’, because all those words they … Continue reading →

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What’s Important; Remember Robert Fulghum?

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Jennie

A few years after I got my feet wet teaching, I read Robert Fulghum’s book, “All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten“.  That had a profound influence on my career.  His opening essay seemed to take all … Continue reading →

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Linking the Generations at School

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Jennie

Milly is a master quilter who regularly visits my classroom.  Over the years she and the children have designed and made some quilts that are incredible works of art.  One hangs in the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia.  Another hangs … Continue reading →

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