Tag Archives: emergent curriculum

The Peace Quilt; Yet Another Story

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Jennie

Every so often (and more often than not) I’m surprised with an email about a former student.  Typically it comes from the parent, regaling a wonderful experience with their child, directly related to something from their days in my classroom  … Continue reading →

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Summer Camp Play Performances

Posted on July 18, 2015 by Jennie

Every summer my school offers a summer camp program.  The most exciting part of my camp group (six to eight year olds) is the ‘play performance’.  It didn’t start that way at all.  Camp is camp, and that means having … Continue reading →

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The Real ‘Teddy’ Story, and More

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Jennie

This weekend I cleaned my office; the yearly organization and the game of ‘keep or toss’.  Every year I take great care with three stories that are worn and torn, written long before computers and the internet.  Those stories are … Continue reading →

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When Children Bring the Music

Posted on June 23, 2015 by Jennie

Colin and his mother came into school looking happy and half-humming, half-singing something very familiar.  Their whole presence and attitude was atypical, because they behaved as if they were actually part of the song.  I realized they were singing “Oh … Continue reading →

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Chapter Reading

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Jennie

Chapter reading is one of our treasured moments of the day. We bring to life the imagination, the world, and the past. The anticipation of ‘what happens next’ stirs excitement every day. Children listen and think. They ask questions. Ask … Continue reading →

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Teaching Patriotism

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Jennie

It all started with our field trip to the Shriners Circus years ago.  This circus is a perfect event for preschoolers as it’s grand but not overwhelming.  My class was seated and ready.  The circus began with lowering a big … Continue reading →

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Teaching: it’s The Cake and the Frosting

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Jennie

Our everyday learning in the classroom reminds me of a big cake. The necessary ingredients are science, math, reading, writing, language, geography and the arts. A cake is mixed by hand, just as our learning is hands-on. And, the frosting? … Continue reading →

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“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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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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