Category Archives: Uncategorized

Children’s Books: Old Can Be Better

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

Writing Picture Stories

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”

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.

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

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

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

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

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 in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Picture Books, Humor & Vocabulary

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