Category Archives: Uncategorized

“The Art Show” S.T.E.M. + Art = S.T.E.A.M

Posted on April 12, 2015 by Jennie

The Art Show is on display at last.  Thanks to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and plenty of inspiration, the children did it!  They created remarkable works of art, worthy of a real Art Show. When I look at … Continue reading →

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A Spontaneous and Emergent Conversation

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Jennie

Transition times are tricky for both teachers and children, especially when spring arrives. Children seem to ‘feel it in their bones’, and are constantly on the move. Spring is definitely an awakening. Teachers observe this every year and foster all … Continue reading →

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Periods of Disequilibrium

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Jennie

More Good Days with Kids source: http://centerforparentingeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/equilibrium-diseqilibrium-2014-02-21-2.jpg Does it seem to you that there are periods of time when parenting is easy? That you’ve mastered it and you’re cruising along with a well-behaved child whose needs you understand? And are … Continue reading →

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Emergent Curriculum Through Geography

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Jennie

 “From Grizzly Bears to George Washington.” We read a fact book on grizzly bears, which turned into a science lesson on salmon and bald eagles, and a geography lesson on Alaska and Mount Rushmore, and a math lesson on the … Continue reading →

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Classical Music is the Inspiration for Art

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Jennie

Yesterday I introduced classical music to my preschool classroom, and  it was one of my best days of teaching.  This story has added wonderful twists and turns; the art of Eric Carle and Wassily Kandinsky, and the new Caldecott Honor … Continue reading →

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Reading Aloud = Academic Success + Pleasure

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Jennie

This is about more than reading; this is about academic success, learning to read, and loving to read.  It’s about young children and older children, and what happens along the way.  Here are worrisome statistics and great stories.  You should … Continue reading →

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The Art Show, and How Books and Music Make the Difference

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Jennie

Eric Carle is a well renowned children’s book author and illustrator.  His museum in Amherst, MA  draws visitors from around the world.  The museum’s focus is on picture book art, because that’s what Eric Carle does, and he does it … Continue reading →

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Quilting Art With Children: Milly Part II

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Jennie

This is the story of children, a quilter, and how they connected ideas to create art that hangs in national museums.  The first story (prior post) depicts the evolution of the Peace Quilt, and this story is the next chapter.  … Continue reading →

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Quilting Art With Children: The Story of Milly

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Jennie

I love museums.  They always inspire me, personally and professionally.  I also firmly believe in emergent curriculum in my teaching of young children.  It works!  The two together often ignite learning that transcends over months, and in some cases years.  … Continue reading →

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The New Year’s Gift

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Jennie

Today I received a gift for the New Year, and it was not at all what I expected.  I thought I knew pretty much everything about giving, yet I never expected to have the tables turned, where I would be … Continue reading →

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