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.

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives – #PotLuck – Teaching: it’s The Cake and the Frosting by Jennie Fitzkee

How is teaching much like making a big cake, and then adding frosting? Read on! Thank you, Sally Cronin, for sharing my stories.

Posted in Uncategorized | 14 Comments

This Year’s Favorite Picture Books

Every year children vote on their favorite chapter reading book.  Charlotte’s Web is the clear winner most years.  This year we voted on our favorite picture books as well.  That was a big challenge for children as we read at … Continue reading

Posted in America, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 74 Comments

The Presence of Wonder

The sky is always changing.  Look away for a minute and there is a new canvas of beauty. School ended yesterday, and now I have more time to delight in the constant beauty that Mother Nature provides, from my porch … Continue reading

Posted in E.B. White, Mother Nature, Nature | Tagged , , , , , | 53 Comments

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives #PotLuck – Childhood and Summer, Then and Now by Jennie Fitzkee

Sally shares my stories and memories of summer camp, thunderstorms, singing, and more.

Posted in Uncategorized | 18 Comments

A year of Chapter Reading

This is the newsletter I sent to parents on chapter reading – the single most important thing that makes a difference in teaching children: Chapter Reading June 11, 2019 Chapter reading is one of our treasured moments of the day.  … Continue reading

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 50 Comments

Quotations on Imagination

Originally posted on charles french words reading and writing:
(https://pixabay.com) “Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were, but without it we go nowhere.”                                                                   Carl Sagan ? (portrait by Maurice Quentin de La Tour) (https://en.wikipedia.org) “The world…

Posted in Uncategorized | 31 Comments

The End of the School Year

My dining room table has been a jumble of children’s work collected throughout the year.  I have put on the finishing touches.  Parents will get their child’s Portfolio – the full collection – next week.  I’ll be there, looking over … Continue reading

Posted in behavior, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 81 Comments

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives #PotLuck – How to Teach a Child to Become a Superhero by Jennie Fitzkee

Thank you, Sally Cronin, for sharing my blog post on teaching children to become a superhero. They can change the world!

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

D-Day and Young Childen

I am in awe of the soldiers and sailors who are back in Normandy today, 75 years later.  I always bring patriotism into my class, and a certain page in a picture book that I read all the time helps … Continue reading

Posted in America, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , | 54 Comments

Dr. Seuss

Thank you Dr. Seuss for saying the most important words.  I thought I knew you well, and today you inspired me yet again with your wisdom. And now I find that the tables are turned.  I must write words of … Continue reading

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Love, picture books, preschool, Quotes, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 52 Comments