1. The Earth is Wet: Celebrate the Seasons with Poetry

The Earth is Wet The earth is wet. The sky is gray. It looks like it Will rain all day. by Karla Kuskin

Whether the Weather Whether the weather be fine Or whether the weather be not, Whether the weather be cold Or whether the weather be hot, We'll weather the weather Whatever the weather, Whether we like it or not. traditional

Yes, it rains in Oregon and—once again—we are hoping that April showers bring May flowers. Consider greeting your children at the door with a small poem reflecting the weather or the changing seasons.

See article: Wondrous Words About the Weather: A Poetry Ritual
Parents as Partners: Learning the Language of Weather

April is Poetry Month

Weave poetry into your ongoing science adventures:  Here is our expanding collection:

• April Showers Bring May Flowers: Weather in Poetry and Song
• The Science of Spring in Songs and Rhymes

When children memorize, recite, and perform the words of carefully selected poetry, they develop English language fluency with the most exquisite language we speak.

• Community is served when children learn things “by heart.”
• Owning wonderful words enlivens the art of speaking and writing.
• What words do you carry “by heart” from childhood?

“Pretty things, well said, it’s nice to have them in your head.”
—Robert Frost

2. Oviparous and Metamorphosis: Nurture Voracious Vocabulary Appetites

I am continually delighted when I watch master kindergarten teachers integrate powerful vocabulary into the life of their classroom. 

Wise teachers build voracious vocabulary learning habits systematically, mindfully and playfully throughout the curriculum.  Their classrooms are talking classrooms.  Rich vocabulary is introduced through authentic learning experiences and often reinforced with poetry and song.  We watch the children become collectors of wonderful new words: SAT Vocabulary in kindergarten? Why not…

See article: Children are Voracious Vocabulary Learners
Parent as Partners Letter: Voracious Vocabulary Learners

The Metamorphosis Song by Diane Bonica Tune: Alouette

Metamorphosis, meta, meta, morphosis.
Metamorphosis, it’s a word for change.
If you are a caterpillar, you’ll become a butterfly.
Caterpillar, butterfly!  Caterpillar, butterfly!
Metamorphosis, meta, meta, morphosis.
Metamorphosis, it’s a word for change.
(See entire song)

Oviparous Song by Diane Bonica Tune: Mickey Mouse Club Theme Song

There's a word that we have heard and YOU should learn it too!
Oviparous!  Oviparous!  They lay eggs for you!
Oviparous…egg layers!  Oviparous…egg layers!
It is a word and we have heard it’s true, true, true!
So come along and join this song for all egg layers too.
Oviparous!  Oviparous!  They lay eggs for YOU!

See our beginning collection of Spring Science Explorations in Poetry and Song: Bugs, Butterflies and the Earth
See Diane Bonica’s Sensational Science Explorations

3. Earth Day and April Science Connections

Earth Day is April 22nd every year. To celebrate Earth Day Sharon Mattioli wrote this song which became an illustrated class Big Book for shared learning around this important theme.

I Love the Earth (To the tune of Eency Weency Spider)

I love the Earth and everything that lives.
I love the flowers and beauty each one gives.
I love the animals and the fish at sea.
For I am a part of Mother Earth,
And it's a part of me.
              by Sharon Mattioli

I love the Earth: “I Can Read” anthology page
Explore the Earth Day Unit: Thank you Terry Tunkel at Calico Cookie

Kindergarten Recycled Inventions

Here is a great link on recycled inventions for your earth day theme—or year round. See photos and parent take-home letter from Mrs. Brittany Buchel's Kindergarten class.

Some Direct Links to Spring Science Themes

Oviparous Animals

• Testing the Strength of an Ordinary Egg
• Mrs. Pohlmeyer’s Kinderpage
• Calico Cookie
• Little Giraffes

Insects

• Little Giraffes
• Mrs. Pohlmeyer’s Kinderpage
• Teaching Heart

Spring and Easter Connections

• Kinder by Kim

4. Partial Scholarships are Still Available for Summer Seminars

Yes, there are still partial scholarships spaces available for all of our summer seminars.

We hope many of our newsletter friends will take advantage of the $129 prepaid registration fee which will probably not be available after April, 2009. For details see: Nellie Edge Summer Seminars Scholarships.  

5. Discover the Magic of Signing Songs - June 29 and 30, 2009

Learn American Sign Language through memorable songs this summer. Join a small enthusiastic group of kindergarten teachers and early literacy experts from across the country in Oregon, at the beautiful Sheraton Hotel, Portland Airport. (Limited to 75 teachers.)

See   ASL Video clips from the seminar DVDs featuring Diane Larson.
Diane Larson and Tanya Wall are the ASL experts for these seminars, and Nellie Edge will share brain research and joyful accelerated literacy connections.

See photo essay: Research and Benefits of Signing

Discover why teachers tell us:

“This is just the best training I’ve ever had!”
“It was worth traveling across the country for.”
2008 Magic of Signing Songs Seminar Evaluations
You will be amazed at how much you learn—we promise! (Our seminars all come with a performance guarantee.)

Download seminar registration: The Magic of Signing Songs
See e-Book: Discover The Magic of Signing Songs: Enhancing all Children's Language, Literacy, Engagement, and Joy!.

6. High-Frequency Word Stamps

Many of our teaching colleagues have been waiting all year to purchase high-frequency word stamps.

The good news is: We have found a new producer for the six-word stamp sets (This, is, a, I, see, the).

We hope to have them available on our new resources page in May.  If you want to reserve two or more sets for making Stamp and Read Skinny Books, e-mail info@nellieedge.com with your name, phone number, and the number of sets you would like to reserve and we will send you the official e-mail announcement as soon as we receive our stamps.

7. Salem Kindergarten Cadre - April and May Schedule

Salem Cadre Meetings and Saturday Workshops

Dear Salem Kindergarten Cadre,

Our last Cadre meeting with Sharon Anderson and Monica Takata was engaging and inspiring. We will continue singing traditional English and Spanish folk songs at every meeting and you will all receive a copy of our CD: In Celebration of Spanish Folk Songs at the April 6th gathering. Email Janis Wurgler Wurgler_Janis@salkeiz.k12.or.us to let her know you will be attending.

April and May Cadre Meetings: The Literacy Framework
in Action!

April 6, 2009 - 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Discover The Magic of Signing Songs: Enhancing All Children’s Language Literacy, Engagement, and Joy!,
with Nellie Edge and Kate Anderson

Candalaria Elementary, 953 Hansen Ave. S., Salem, Oregon 97302, (503) 399-3136.

This will be a preview of my upcoming keynote presentation for the National “I Teach Kindergarten” Conference. Kate Anderson will also share her experiences using sign language in the classroom. Your handout will support you in expanding your use of this powerful literacy tool.

Please download complimentary e-Book: Discover The Magic of Signing Songs, which is your handout.

May 11, 2009 – 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Ten Best Practices in Joyful Accelerated Kindergarten Literacy: Proven Strategies that Produce Exceptional Results, with Nellie Edge and Katie Nelson

Salem Heights Elementary, 3495 Liberty Rd. S., Salem, Oregon 97302, (503) 399-3187

Again, this will be a fast-paced preview of a workshop that I will be presenting for the National Kindergarten Conference this summer and a synopsis of my all-day seminar on August 1st in Portland. Katie Nelson will enhance this presentation with classroom success stories and we have literacy gifts for all of those who register with Janice. Wurgler_Janis@salkeiz.k12.or.us.

Please download complimentary e-Book: Ten Best Practices in Joyful Accelerated Kindergarten Literacy which is your handout.

Saturday Kindergarten Workshops

(You must sign up through the Salem-Keizer School District “Academy” website. Limited to 20 teachers.)

April 18, 2009 - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Literacy Through Literature, Dance, and Song: Developing Skills Within a Love of Language  

Presented by Kathie Bridges with Nellie Edge facilitating

Pringle Elementary School, 5500 Reed Lane S.E., Salem, OR 97306, (503) 399-3178

Kathie Bridges is a dynamic, playful, and highly organized mentor kindergarten teacher. Her fresh and innovative teaching reflects her love of language and deep respect for and understanding of young children. Kathie’s room is filled with quality literature—the walls reflect children’s artistic connections to the wonderful stories she shares. She is a natural storyteller using music, rhythm, and dramatic flair to make literature come alive.

Workshop Includes:

• With happy hearts we dance and sing: Why children deserve to experience the rhythms and sounds of language
• Bringing folk tales and literature alive through the educational arts
• Enhancing small muscle development and handwriting skills
• How to develop responsible learners from day one
• Memorable parent performances: Children love to memorize, recite, and perform language
• Parents as Partners and reading volunteers

See photo essay with Kathie Bridges: With Happy Hearts We Dance and Sing

   See Video Clips: With Happy Heart We Dance and Sing and Year-End Kindergarten Rap

May 30, 2009- 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Art, Science, Literacy and The Kindergarten Child

Presented by Laura Flocker with Nellie Edge facilitating

Candalaria Elementary, 953 Hansen Ave. S., Salem, Oregon 97302, (503) 399-3136

Laura Flocker, a master kindergarten teacher with a background in Reading Recovery®, will share her incredible insights into developing a community of kindergartners who see and express themselves as artists and writers from the first days of school. Learn how to organize the art/literacy classroom, discover practical art techniques and the best of art resource materials. Be inspired by Laura’s classroom, which is alive with animals, growing things, science experiments, puppet plays, curious minds and real-life learning experiences.

Workshop Includes:

• How to introduce basic art materials to maximize instruction and minimize mess
• A year-long guide for teaching and integrating art across the curriculum
• Teaching children to think and see like an artist: skills that transfer to science, math, literacy, and life
• Guided art techniques that develop confidence, drawing ability, and visual literacy skills
• “Brain Exercises” to develop ABC and word writing fluency
• How this fits into the Comprehensive Literacy Model

See Laura Flocker's Kindergarten website
Download images from Laura Flocker’s Art-Rich Kindergarten (PDF)

Sign up as soon as possible for these workshops through the Salem-Keizer website to ensure your space. 
Literacy manual is included. First priority is for Salem kindergarten teachers.

Spring Smiles!

Nellie Edge