Monthly Archives: November 2016

Children’s Books: Old Can Be Better

Posted on November 27, 2016 by Jennie

Now that the best new children’s books this year are receiving awards and recognition, I’m excited and scanning the titles for my new favorites.  Besides recognizing the best new books of the year, it’s gift giving time. Nothing beats reading-aloud … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 73 Comments

Emotional Reading Comes First

Posted on November 20, 2016 by Jennie

Reading-aloud is emotional in my classroom.  Thank goodness!  I belt it out, read with a voice, and stop to talk. I cry and laugh, and so do the children.  How best can children learn all that is really important?  With … Continue reading →

Posted in Kindness, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , | 35 Comments

Writing Picture Stories

Posted on November 16, 2016 by Jennie

I have hundreds of photos of children from over the years, yet only one photo is on my desk.  This scene was a party that children wanted because we read books and wrote stories.  They’re all in high school now, … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, reading aloud, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

Children and “The Star Spangled Banner”

Posted on November 13, 2016 by Jennie

Bringing our National Anthem to Life Few books have the power to move young students and make a difference; this one does. Whenever I sing our National Anthem with children, I pull out my well-loved and very worn book, The … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, patriotism, reading aloud, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Children and Patriotism; It Starts With Singing.

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Jennie

Teaching patriotism is something I do in my classroom, and I do it frequently.  It is rarely a planned activity; it just happens.  Much like teaching kindness or giving, or even bravery, the learning comes from doing.  And the way we learn … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, patriotism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

The Essential Children’s Bookshelf

Posted on November 5, 2016 by Jennie

Read & Survive Found this lovely infographic via ebookfrienly.com What’s your favorite children’s book? View original post

Posted in Uncategorized | 21 Comments

Voices from the Field

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Jennie

This is one of a series of blogs featuring first-person accounts from early educators across Massachusetts. *     *     * Jennie Fitzkee ? My name is Jennie Fitzkee. I am an Early Childhood Educator teaching the Full…

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Gloria and Trick-or-Treating

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Jennie

Last night Gloria was invited to go trick-or-treating.  There was no doubt in the child’s mind that she would be a cow, a baby cow.  She rode in the stroller with his little sister.  He just knew that was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Kindness, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments