Author Archives: Jennie

About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over thirty-five 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.

Sometimes Kids Just Need to Play During School

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Jennie

Originally posted on User Generated Education:
Teachers get so much pressure to meet standards and prepare students for state mandated tests, that I believe they forget their students are just kids. Because of this pressure, too many teacher education and…

Posted in Uncategorized | 40 Comments

Humor in Teaching

Posted on March 7, 2020 by Jennie

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.”  -Charlie Chaplin- Jennie

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, preschool, Quotes, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 55 Comments

Children’s Words, Part 3

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Jennie

In Part 2 I talked about children telling their stories in their own words.  Without a visual or help from a teacher- no crutch, it’s not so easy.  Welcome to the deep end, not the shallow end.  Children wrote and illustrated … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 60 Comments

Be Kind To Someone

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Jennie

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
(Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com) National Kindness Day ? I recently reblogged a post about National Compliment Day, so  I thought a good follow up to that wonderful idea was to…

Posted in Uncategorized | 27 Comments

Read Across America Week/ Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! ~ March 2nd – March 6th

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Jennie

Originally posted on By Hook Or By Book:
You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child. ~ Dr. Seuss ~  Read Across America week, appropriately kicks off today, on Theodor…

Posted in Uncategorized | 27 Comments

Children’s Words, Part 2

Posted on March 1, 2020 by Jennie

In Part 1, I talked about writing thank you letters to the people in our neighborhood, our community helpers.  As a group, we planned the words, and children decorated the letters. This was fun!  They felt excited and proud. They … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, picture stories, preschool, reading aloud, storytelling, teaching, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 72 Comments

Children’s Words, Part 1

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Jennie

Writing a thank you letter is a favorite activity in my classroom.  First, children ‘write’ the words – this isn’t so easy.  Every writer knows that.  For children, they need to think about who the letter is for, and what … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, preschool, teaching, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives – Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives – #PreSchool – The Story of Romana by Jennie Fitzkee

Posted on February 26, 2020 by Jennie

This is one of my best teaching stories. I loved Romana. May I add that I still carry the paper bracelet she made me many years ago? Thank you for posting this, Sally. Read on, and delight in a wonderful … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 21 Comments

Norman Rockwell, My Grandmother, My Dad, and Me

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Jennie

Norman Rockwell had a profound influence on my life.  Thank goodness he still does.  It all started with my grandmother, Nan.  She was the salt of the earth, strong and loving, and lived her childhood much like Little House on … Continue reading →

Posted in America, art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, military, museums, patriotism, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 82 Comments

Photo Prompt Story: Kevins Karsull

Posted on February 22, 2020 by Jennie

Originally posted on beetleypete:
This is a short story in, 1025 words. It was prompted by the above photo, the third one sent to me by Jennie Fitzkee. https://jenniefitzkee.com/ Mister Dolman was a good teacher, everyone agreed on that. He…

Posted in Uncategorized | 19 Comments