Author Archives: Jennie

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About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over forty years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about. I was a live guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am highlighted in the seventh edition of Jim Trelease's million-copy bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.

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

Storytelling: A Halloween Story

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Jennie

Storytelling is, and has always been, the foundation for language and learning.  I write about children, yet storytelling applies to all people.  Words and ideas are how we start to learn, and how we continue to learn. Everybody loves a … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, storytelling, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Abraham Lincoln’s Famous Letter to His Son’s Teacher

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Jennie
Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Picture Books, Humor & Vocabulary

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Jennie

Author Ryan T. Higgins is hysterical. I mean unexpected, fall-down-laughing hysterical. His two children’s books are favorites in my classroom.  The storyline is a grumpy old bear who likes eggs, and what happens is imaginative and funny.  I read Mother … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, reading aloud, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Two Blog Awards

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Jennie

Thank you to my good friend and happy blogger Nina over at The Happy Life – http://www.thehappylife101.wordpress.com – for nominating me for the Versatile Blog Award.  I am honored!  The rules are to list seven random facts about yourself, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Kindness, Peace | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Quotations on Imagination

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Jennie

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
(https://pixabay.com) “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” Albert Einstein (https://en.wikipedia.org) “Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.” Jonathan Swift ? “Imagination will often carry us…

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Making Magic

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Jennie

Each year I host a party for children and their families, and every year it creates magic– not the storybook or pretend magic, but something very real. Families gather with their children when school closes and have a pizza party … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 39 Comments

Singing Spontaneously

Posted on October 15, 2016 by Jennie

Singing is perhaps the second most important thing I do for children, right behind reading-aloud.  The biggest impact seems to come when singing is spontaneous. Lunchtime was a case in point: “You Are My Sunshine” lunchbox note. Savannah’s lunchbox often … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 34 Comments

“Gloria”

Posted on October 9, 2016 by Jennie

Gloria is perhaps the kindest and most beloved member of my class.  She has been around for quite some time, and she returned to school this week.  The children were… well, a bit unsure at first.  After all, Gloria is … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Kindness, Peace, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 52 Comments