The life and teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. can be understood and honored even by young children.  Martin Luther King, Jr. taught people to solve problems nonviolently.  He promoted love and brotherhood.  Kindergarten teacher Joanie Cutler (now retired) shares books and stories about Martin Luther King, Jr.  After much discussion she encourages her children to apply his teachings by noticing when their kindergarten friends solve problems peacefully and show fairness and kindness at school.  These acts are recorded on 1” x 6” strips of paper: red (for acts of kindness) or white (for acts of peace). These are linked into a growing chain that honors the teaching of Martin Luther King, Jr. and adorns the classroom.  A letter including strips of white and red paper chain links was sent to parents asking them to record the acts and reinforces these same traits at home; and the links were sent back to school for the growing chain.

“We hope with your efforts and our own to set these traits as habits that will enrich the life of your child, and through them benefit out society.” –Joanie Cutler

For parents as partners letter, see Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.: Acts of Kindness.

We think this makes a great New Year's goal:
“No matter what, let them write every day!”
Katie Wood Ray, author of About the Authors: Writing Workshop with our Younger Writers
(see excerpts)

Visit the amazing Kid Writing site for inspiration
Daily “Kid Writing” with adult underwriting is the vehicle to systematically teach phonics and build reading skills through meaningful engagement. See What do the Most Effective Kid Writing Classrooms Look Like?

Share kindergarten writing rubrics and news story writing with parents:
See photo essay with Julie Lay, “Writing to Read in Kindergarten Part II”

Create a culture for kindergarten writing:
See photo essay, Becky Leber's Writing Centers

Study the art of teaching writing:
Writing-to-Read in Kindergarten: Explore the Power of “Kid Writing” with Julie Lay

• Phoenix, AZ – February 28, 2008
• Sacramento, CA – March 8, 2008
• Boise, ID – April 5, 2008
• Salt Lake City, UT – April 19, 2008

See 2008 Writing-to-Read seminar flier
See the photo essay “Writing-to-Read in Kindergarten”
Email info@nellieedge.com if you would like to have this seminar brought to your area.

We are excited to begin videotaping in colleague Julie Lay's writing-to-read kindergarten this month.  We will capture: 

• Introducing “Kid Writing”: First Lesson
• A writing conference in January
• Julie Lay's tips for organizing a kindergarten library

Please email info@nellieedge.com if there are specific writing strategies you would like to see captured on our “best practices” video clips from accomplished kindergarten teachers.

The powerful “Teaching Essentials” seminar with Regie Routman from her new book culminated in a standing ovation. It was a thrill to be there last month in Portland, Oregon.

• Bond with your students
• Keep writing real
• Have high expectations

We are excited about Regie Routman’s new website.  It is just what you would expect from this gifted educator: beautiful, easy to use, and with great free resources including video clips and current research.
See www.regieroutman.com

Discover a treasure trove of meaningful and creative curriculum ideas in Diane Bonica’s exemplary, child-centered kindergarten.  You will be welcomed into “The Chicka-Boom Classroom” complete with a menagerie of giraffes, and a high level of science, math and literacy engagement.  Discover how to truly honor childhood and challenge children to think deeply and love learning. 

This all-day, “in-kindergarten” workshop features:

• Fascinating science explorations that take children into the real world.
• Playful and poetic transition activities.
• How to keep reading meaningful and joyful and still raise the DIBELS scores.
• Diane’s original songs and rhymes: teach new vocabulary for every concept from metamorphosis to hibernation. 
• Rituals, traditions, and celebrations that delight the hearts of children and their families. 

Presented by Diane Bonica with Nellie Edge as facilitator 
March 8, 2008 – Deer Creek Elementary, Tigard, OR

This workshop is limited to 20 teachers, so it may fill quickly. Includes beautiful full-color literacy manual.
Download Seminar Flier (pdf format)

See Diane Bonica's Kindergarten website for delightful photos and poetic parent letters.

How do we develop a classroom of kindergarteners who not only learn to read and write – but choose to read and write?  How do we honor the need for socio-dramatic play — and the need for a rigorous literacy focus in half-day kindergarten?   Kathie Bridges’ comprehensive and engaging approach to literacy reflects her deep knowledge of children, her love of language, and a systematic, research-based approach to literacy.  With great skill, wisdom, and delight, Kathie demonstrates how to raise the literacy standards and still keep a kindergarten a “child's garden.”

This all-day, “In-Kindergarten” workshop features:

• With Happy Hearts We Dance and Sing.
• Small Muscle Activities That Support Writing.
• Best Practices for Multisensory ABC and Phonics Immersion in Kindergarten.
• Use of the Arts to Make Folk Tales and Literature Come Alive.
• New Strategies for Developing Responsible Learners.

Presented by Kathie Bridges, with Nellie Edge as facilitator
April 19, 2008 – Pringle Elementary Kindergarten, Salem, OR

This Saturday workshop is limited to 20 teachers, so it may fill quickly. It includes a beautiful full-color literacy manual honoring Kathy's passion for teaching kindergarten.

Download Kathie Bridges Seminar flier

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

Opal Charter School at the Children's Museum is one of Oregon’s treasures. Inspired by the work of the early childhood educators in Reggio Emilia, Italy, this program is well worth traveling to for observation and reflection.

Opal School visitation days provide an intimate encounter with Opal School, which serves students pre-kindergarten to grade 5. Observe teacher and children researchers at work. See media provocations and documentation of learning. Hear perspectives from parents. Dialogue with Opal staff in their classrooms.

Tue, Feb 26, 2008 • 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM and
Wed, Feb 27, 2008 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Total cost for both days is $150, includes a healthy lunch.
To register, call 503-471-9911.
See http://www.portlandcm.org/opal.htm

ORA: “Literacy Lights the Way”

I am compiling responses to our Salem, Oregon Kindergarten Cadre survey which you should have received last week. If you have not had a chance to respond, please e-mail me at info@nellieedge.com with your thoughts about preferred topics for study and dialog this winter and spring.

Here again is the survey, Salem Kindergarten Cadre Survey 2008.

I look forward to hearing about your experiences exploring “The Daily Five”: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades. Please let me know if adaptations of this literacy framework is working well for you – I would love to come and visit your kindergarten.

See “The 2 Sisters” website for training and support.

It is always a pleasure to send off another newsletter to teachers who share our vision for
really good first teaching.

Smiles to you in 2008!
Nellie Edge