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.

Goodness

Frank at Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections recently wrote a post about Good.  You can read it here: https://beachwalkreflections.wordpress.com/2021/12/29/101-time/.  It’s important, and it made me think.  Frank’s posts always make me think.  I immediately replied, “Goodness is the root of humanity”, … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, reading aloud, teaching | Tagged , , , , | 45 Comments

Fire and Ice

Ice storm on Christmas Day It lasted…and lasted. The only thing to do was start a fire. Fire and Ice, Football, and Leftovers. Life is Good. Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , | 65 Comments

‘Tis the Season to Be Kind

This gallery contains 15 photos.

Originally posted on No Facilities:
My one-liner is inside the video below. That’s my favorite Christmas commercial, and has been on the air for the past 39 years in the Greater Pittsburgh area. Some people say it isn’t the Christmas…

More Galleries | 44 Comments

Giving – Dollar General, Kelly Clarkson, Dolly Parton, and Me

It is the season of giving.  I can’t tell you how much it meant for me to give to Read Aloud West Virginia.  This would not have happened if I hadn’t been a guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show.  Her … Continue reading

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Giving, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, literacy, reading, reading aloud, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 88 Comments

Best Children’s Christmas Books – and a New One

Red and Lulu, by Matt Tavares is the story of two cardinals who live in a mighty evergreen tree.  They love their home, their tree.  Best of all, they love it when winter arrives and Christmas carolers sing close by.  … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Giving thanks, Inspiration, literacy, Nature, picture books, preschool, reading, young children | Tagged , , | 64 Comments

An Arcing Contrail Against a Full Moon

At school, December has been a month of learning about the planets, stars, and light.  We have watched a video of the Atlantis Space Shuttle launch in 1985, and hoped to see the new James Webb telescope launch into space.  … Continue reading

Posted in Inspiration, Learning About the World, Nature, Quotes, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 48 Comments

Best Christmas Commercial – From Darlene Foster

Thank you to Darlene at Darlene Foster’s Blog  for sharing this wonderful Christmas Commercial!  Yes, I recommend having a tissue on hand. Merry Christmas, Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration | Tagged , , , | 39 Comments

Best Christmas Commercial

Here is my all-time favorite Christmas Commercial.  I have watched this hundreds of times, and it fills me up – always.  I hope it brings you the same joy.  You might want to have a tissue handy for those happy … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Inspiration, Love, music | Tagged , , , | 77 Comments

The Library – Reading and Book Bears – Part 2

In Part 1, I introduced how reading aloud at the last few minutes of Book Bears became a ‘thing’, something very popular with the children.  That year the book was “Summer of the Monkeys”.  A few minutes of reading aloud turned … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 41 Comments

Smorgasbord Christmas Celebrations Rewind – The Third Day of Christmas with guests – Jennie Fitzkee, Lisa Thomson #Food Carol Taylor, Camembert Puffs and Mulled Wine

Sally posted her Christmas memory as a child (oh, I would have loved that cowboy suit), the two best Christmas songs ever, Christmas foods from Carol, and favorite Christmas gifts from fellow bloggers. She remembered my GI Joe Aircraft Carrier … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments