Every Story is Important – Especially Children’s Stories

Posted on May 24, 2024 by Jennie

I pay attention to children’s play, because play is their work.  By this time in the school year, children are more than settled; they work together like a team.  Today they built an incredible ‘scene’, something far more complex than a structure.  There was a story there… I knew there had to be.  So, I asked the children to tell me about what they had built.

I dashed to get pen and paper.

“How does your story start?”, I asked.

There was a loud chorus of “It happened like this.”

I wonder if they saw my smile that glowed.

This is what they built:

Their story is no surprise; it’s creative and truly thoughtful.  It tells the story of what they built and ‘what happened’.

Here is the story they told:

“It happened like this.

There was a traffic jam.

We couldn’t get home.

All the cars were stopping.

The wind was blowing and people were walking.

The bridge was crashing.

The pink people saved the day.

They have strong power.

They lifted up the bridge so the cars got through,
and the people got their cars.”

Here is what I wrote to families:

Dear Families,

Today your children built an incredible scene (far more than a structure) with cars, arches, people, and blocks.  Most everyone was involved.  When the teacher said, “Tell me about this”, it was clear there was a story that needed to be told.  A story can validate children’s hard work.  It can trigger the imagination.  Stories also give children the opportunity to express themselves and use their language.

Here is what they built:

Here is the story they told:

“It happened like this.
There was a traffic jam.
We couldn’t get home.
All the cars were stopping.
The wind was blowing and people were walking.
The bridge was crashing.
The pink people saved the day.
They have strong power.
They lifted up the bridge so the cars got through, and the people got their cars.”

Yes, the power of story.  May your children continue to build, work together, create, tell stories, and inspire us all.

Warmly,

Jennie

May all children learn to work together and create something important.  May all children tell their stories.  May all children inspire adults, because they are shining lights of the future.

Jennie

Posted in Uncategorized | 60 Comments

Giving Thanks – Teacher to Teacher, Blogger to Blogger, Friend to Friend

Posted on May 13, 2024 by Jennie

Let me tell you about my friend Pete Springer- fellow blogger, teacher, and dear friend.  He is a retired teacher with all the ‘right stuff’ when it comes to understanding children.  He visited my classroom a few years ago (which was absolutely wonderful), and that sparked a conversation among friends and teachers.

He’s coming to your classroom, and you’ve never met him?  How do you know this guy?

Bloggers are friends, family.  We’re a community who understand and support each other.  We share, laugh, and slowly become a family over time.  People just don’t understand.

They’ve never walked in our blogging shoes.

The opportunity to meet a fellow blogger and friend is rare and very special.  I was lucky to meet Pete.  It was as if we’d known each other forever.  Well, we had.  I don’t need to tell you how he immediately connected with the children.  Of course they loved him!

As time has gone on, Pete shares the best posts about his students, mentors, reading aloud, family, volunteering and more.  He is grounded in teaching, because 32 years gives you a full load of children and learning.  Thank goodness he shares his wisdom and stories.  I cherish his reflections.

When Pete learned this is my 40th year of teaching, he surprised me with two gifts:

‘Just hired, 40 years ago’.
I laughed my head off!

It’s My Workiversary.
40 years and counting.

Thank you, Pete.  The humor is THE best.  Everyone has laughed their heads off.  Laughing comes from the heart, and so does teaching.  You know that well.  More importantly, you stop to say ‘thank you’ not just with gifts, but with words.

Your words to me are beautiful.  Thank you!

Your words to fellow teachers are very powerful.  Many teachers have saved this video, tucked away for a rainy day, or a day to remember.  Every teacher in my school watched it and, well, swelled with emotion.

Pete, thank you for being you, for your giving, for your inspiration, and for your friendship.  Thank you for making me feel like a Superhero.

Pete’s blog can be found at petespringerauthor.wordpress.com

Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, teaching | Tagged , , , | 147 Comments

New Books, Authors, Art and Birds – at The Eric Carle Museum

Posted on May 4, 2024 by Jennie

A great day at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Two new picture books just came out, and they are terrific.  I had the pleasure of meeting and greeting both of the authors, as they read their books to a captivated audience at the Eric Carle Museum.  Both books are multigenerational – a child and and someone much older.  They speak to children, pierce the heart, and leave a message of kindness.

The endings are surprising in the best of ways.  Cheers to grandfathers, older folks, dogs, children, and also birds.

The artists presentation was followed by book signings.  I always learn something new and wonderful, or make a connection.  Who knew Heidi Stemple’s (author of Wren’s Nest) grandfather was from a small town in West Virginia close to my hometown?  No one was from West Virginia, only us.  And Casey Robinson (author of Small Things Mended) and I recalled discovering the Caldecott Award emblem – a galloping horse – at an earlier Carle Museum exhibit.

Birds!  The newest exhibit at the museum features Eric Carle’s birds.  He created so many bird illustrations for his books throughout his career; it was a feast for the eyes.


“Brown Bear, Brown Bear what do you see?  I see a red bird looking at me.”  Yes, I have read those word to children for decades.  At last I was face-to-face with the real red bird.  It was quite a moment for me to see this glorious illustration – the real deal.  I looked for a long time, as if I had discovered treasure.  Well, I had.

Bird after bird, all unique and made with tissue paper and vibrant paints.  No one at the exhibit ‘strolled along’.  The art of the birds was stunning, and patrons were ‘locked on’ to Carle’s art.  For those of us who knew the birds from his books, it was quite the moment.

Did you know when Eric Carle arrived in America, he worked as a graphic designer in New York?  This is an advertisement from the 1960’s for an anti-allergy medication.  The technique and art for the birds is much the same as he used in his children’s book illustrations.


I highly recommend this art exhibit.  If you’re an art lover, a bird lover, or a book lover, you will not be disappointed.

Jennie

Posted in art, Book Review, books, children's books, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, museums, Nature, picture books, reading aloud, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , | 75 Comments

The Kandinsky Epilogue – From the Hood Museum of Art

Posted on April 30, 2024 by Jennie

My visit to the Hood Museum of Art was the start of a great journey.  It began back in February. https://jenniefitzkee.com/2024/02/17/a-kandinsky-painting-at-last/ when I visited the museum.  When I returned to school I was excited to show children the real Kandinsky painting I saw.

And now, children’s art from our Art Show is featured on the Hood Museum’s FaceBook page.  Really!  How did that happen?  Here’s what I wrote to parents:

Hi Families,

The Aqua Room Art Show will be the featured post on the Hood Museum’s FB website Monday afternoon.  Really!  The Hood Museum of Art is at Dartmouth College.  How did our Art Show masterpieces get there?  It’s a good story.  In the words of a Jennie story,

It Happened Like This…

In February I visited the Hood Museum with good friends.  And there it was…. a Kandinsky painting.  I have always wanted to see one, because of Eric Carle.  When Carle was a high school student in Nazi Germany, his art teacher showed him ‘forbidden art’, works of five abstract artists.  Kandinsky was one of the five.  The art changed Carle’s life.  When we prepare for our annual Art Show every year, I always show children this art.  They love it!

After my Hood Museum visit I wrote a letter (not an email) to the Deputy Director of the museum, telling him how ‘moved’ I was at seeing a Kandinsky painting.  I told him how important art is, and I told him my class was preparing for an annual Art Show.  I assured him I would show children the museum’s Kandinsky painting.  I told him I would follow through with pictures of the Art Show, and perhaps a child would want to recreate the museum’s art.

He was thrilled!  I had the nicest response, and I sent him photos of the Art Show.  While children did not choose to recreate the Hood Museum’s Kandinsky, they loved his art, and a couple of children picked a different one to recreate.  The museum was quite taken by your children’s art.  They asked to share this story on their FaceBook site.  It will be posted Monday afternoon.  I hope they share many art photos!  You can do a FaceBook search for Hood Museum of Art.

I am so proud of your children!  Picasso was right when he said, “Every child is an artist.”

Jennie

Their Hood Museum of Art FaceBook post is absolutely wonderful.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  It’s their story, my story, and the art children created.  I am deeply humbled and thankful.

Art is more than inspiring.  It gives meaning to what we feel and see.  It gives children open eyes.

Jennie

Posted in art, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, museums, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 65 Comments

Albert Einstein, and Jennie

Posted on April 25, 2024 by Jennie

When it comes to education
Albert Einstein and I share the same wisdom,
only he says it far better,
with clarity, humor, and a brilliant example

Einstein’s words:

Jennie’s words:

Assuming all children are the same
is putting a round peg into a square hole.
Testing is not a measure of a genius.
Believing in children creates a genius.

Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Einstein, Inspiration, Quotes, teaching, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 81 Comments

A Look at Yesteryear and How Children Grew Up.

Posted on April 21, 2024 by Jennie
Back In The Day…
Posted in Uncategorized | 24 Comments

Finding a Rainbow

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Jennie

You just never know when or where you might find a rainbow.

“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.”
-E.B. White-

Bev Bos was THE best when it comes to children, especially music.
I still sing this song to children.
Every child loves a rainbow.
Every child needs to look for a rainbow,
even grown-up children.

Jennie

Posted in E.B. White, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, music, Nature, Singing, wonder | Tagged , , , | 80 Comments

The Sun and the Moon – Eric Carle

Posted on April 15, 2024 by Jennie

Discovering an Eric Carle illustration
that is over 50 years old
is delightful.
His words give new meaning to the art.

“I often include the sun, and the moon, in my books and in a way I am trying to honor them by doing so. The sun and the moon have risen and set for billions of years and I feel it is the least I can do to put them in my books. Also, the sun and moon provide us with so much: light and warmth for plants and animals. Sunrise marks the beginning of our day (in most places in the world) and the calm moon is a source of comfort in the night. Both in the sky and on the page of a book, the presence of the sun and the moon let us know whether it’s day or night.”

– Eric Carle
Illustrations for “I See a Song.” First published in 1973.
Posted in art, Eric Carle, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, picture books, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , | 69 Comments

Thank You, Teagan, for Welcoming Gloria!

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Jennie
Who’s at the Door? (5) #ThursdayDoors
Posted in Uncategorized | 19 Comments

40 Words, 40 Years

Posted on April 10, 2024 by Jennie

This is my 40th year teaching preschool at my wonderful school.  It feels like 10 or maybe 20 years.  40 is, well, a big deal…at least my school thinks so.  At our monthly staff meetings, they have often surprised me with 40 of something – from 40 bags of Crunchy Cheetos, to 40 Valentines, to 40 lottery tickets, and now this:

40 words to describe Jennie.

My goodness.  Yes, my fellow teachers know me well.  My first reaction is a wonderful poem, “Fair Winds and Following Seas.”  I read poetry with different eyes, and this poem speaks of a sea of learning and wonderful experiences.  It speaks of spirit and heart, reflecting on years of teaching, passing what you know to others, and knowing you passed on love to the children.  To me, this is a beautiful poem of hope and reflection, much like watching a sunset and waiting for the next one.

Fair winds and following seas,
may forever you feel, upon your cheek, the salty breeze.
Your spirit lives on in many a heart,
your words captured, and never to depart.
May your loved ones have the comfort in knowing,
to heaven is where you are going.
For all that they have to do is look above,
and they will be reminded of your love.

Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Poetry, School, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 111 Comments