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when you register by April 10, 2010 for a summer seminar.
(see below)
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1. Invite Children to Memorize & Recite Spring Poems: Build Fluency & Delight |
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It’s almost “just spring… when the world is puddle—wonderful…” (Enjoy In Just, by E.E. Cummings.) I wonder if your children have brought you the first pussy willows and “rubbed
spring across your cheek?” We love to make connections with nature through the metaphors and images of poetry. The sounds of language—“smooth as satin, soft and sleek…”—build vocabulary
in such a satisfying way.
“Pussy Willows” by Aileen Fisher is a copyright secured poem page from our Poetry Anthology, Volume 1.
See online bookstore.
When children memorize, recite, and perform poems, songs, and rhymes (with dramatic flair), they internalize the rhythm, rhyme, and syntax of language. This provides the vital foundation for fluency
in speaking, reading, and writing. Enjoy our spring collection of poetry and song pages:
It’s Spring, and the World is Filled with Pussy Willows, Daffodils, and Leprechauns
We are very systematic and intentional with our use of poetry—the most exquisite language we speak. We savor the words and images. We give children poetry for shared, guided, and independent reading and rereading
because research shows that repetition develops fluency. We encourage memorization, for “pretty things, well said, it’s nice to have them in your head.” –Robert Frost
See photo essay:
Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy
See photo essay:
How to Organize Poetry (“I Can Read”) Notebooks
Memorizing the language of poetry and songs and systematically connecting oral language to print is one of the “Best Practices” we have observed in joyful, high-achieving classrooms.
Begin The Year With Best Practice in Joyful Accelerated Literacy! Join us for a small, practical look at “Best Practices” August 2, 2010 in Salem, Oregon.
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See seminar details.) |
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2. Talking to Kindergartners About Their Writing |
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What an inspiring day we had at our newest practical, hands-on workshop, Organizational Model for Writing to Read in Kindergarten on February 13, 2010!
This small group of experienced and dedicated “Kid Writing” teachers learned more details about how to conduct writers workshops and to build great independent writing centers. See  Kid Writing video clips.
Talking To Children About Their Writing: Choose Words Wisely!
Choosing the right words to build a kindergarten culture of enthusiastic and motivated “kid writers” was another one of the topics explored:
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“How did you learn to make that M so well?”
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“I can see you know the beginning sound of that word…”
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“You remembered how to print the heart word l-o-v-e!”
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“Wow! You knew how to write the first part of that word!”
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“Remember at the beginning of the year when you just knew a few letters? Now look at all you can write! You sure have grown as a writer…”
See:
Talking to Kindergartners About Their Writing
How do we make our kindergarten writing program more systematic and powerful in developing phonics skills and creating ambitious writers? See our complimentary kindergarten writing e-Books for great photo essays.
Summer Seminars
Consider joining us for one or two days of small, practical “Best Practices” in kindergarten writing workshops this summer:
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3. Our Elephant and Piggie Book Club: Give Children Real Books! |
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Our Elephant and Piggie Book Club is still going strong! Children delight in reading these engaging early reading books, and now we are writing and illustrating our own Elephant and Piggie books!
For more information about Elephant and Piggie Books by Mo Willems, see our new webpage featuring
Children’s Literature or join us for our Children’s Literature Gathering on April 17, 2010. (
See details.) |
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4. Tips and New Links for Spring Kindergarten Registration |
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New registration for kindergarten is a day to begin building caring relationships with families. It is an opportune time to create anticipation for an exciting year and begin engaging parents in an important literacy partnership that
will have long-term benefits for their child.
“We have a covenant that says we jointly share responsibility for teaching your child.”
– Ernest Boyer
What do parents most want to know?
I care about your child. I love teaching young children. Your child will love coming to kindergarten.
For complete article and links, see
Tips For Spring Kindergarten Registration Time.
For additional information, see
Parents as Partners in Kindergarten and Early Literacy: Family Connections That Multiply Our Teaching Effectiveness by Nellie Edge at our online bookstore. |
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5. Spring Curriculum Links & Full-Color Here is a Bunny Little Book |
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Enjoy the images and magic of each new season with the children whose lives you touch.
Go for an observation walk and remind each young naturalist to bring their clipboard and pen to log their discoveries!
Take a field trip to the daffodil field so every child can experience “a host of golden daffodils.” Pussy willows, daffodils, bunnies, and even leprechauns are all part of the real and imaginary drama of spring.
Optimal curriculum experiences for young children are meaningful, multisensory, and simply must engage the imagination! Children love creative dramatics, and they are natural animal imitators. What delight it brings to become a bunny,
wiggling your funny nose and miming actions…“perks up his ears… jumps in the hole...”
Here is a Bunny is one of our favorite finger plays and co-active rhymes for building language and delight. It is now available on our website as a black and white Little Book or full-color download. (Consider asking parents to mount,
laminate, and tape a set of six of these Little Books for your guided reading collection.) See video clip:
Make Nellie Edge Guided Reading Little Books. Once children have “experienced the language” through drama or mime, they will happily choose the rhyme as a Little Book for their independent reading box, and they will read
with fluency, confidence, comprehension – and with smiles on their faces!
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6. Summer Seminars & Tutorials
Solutions for Joyful & High-Achieving Kindergartens
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Excellence in Kindergarten Literacy: Weaving Research and Practice
Professional Development Credit and WA Clock Hours Available at all Nellie Edge Seminars
Private and small group tutorials in the art and science of accelerated literacy practices with Nellie Edge. (Available May through September 2010 as time is available.)
This summer, enjoy an opportunity to slow down, think deeply, and creatively organize one aspect of your teaching life at a higher, more intentional, and satisfying level.
Download information.
The Magic of Signing Songs: Enhancing All Children's Language, Literacy, Engagement, and Joy!
with Diane Larson and Nellie Edge
No Previous Sign Language Experience Needed.
June 28 and 29, 2010
Salem, OR, Salem Conference Center and Hotel
Limited to forty participants.
Register online or
download registration form.
Discover why teachers tell us, “This was worth traveling across the country for!”
Writing to Read in Kindergarten: Explore the Power of “Kid Writing” (seminar #1)
with Julie Lay
July 21, 2010
Salem, OR, Salem Conference Center and Hotel
Limited to forty participants.
Register online or
download registration form.
Organizational Model for Writing to Read in Kindergarten (seminar #2)
with Julie Lay and Nellie Edge
July 22, 2010
Salem, OR, Salem Conference Center and Hotel
Limited to forty participants.
Register online or
download registration form.
Begin the Year With Best Practices in Joyful Accelerated Kindergarten Literacy: Proven Strategies that Produce Exceptional Gains
August 2, 2010
Salem, OR, Salem Conference Center and Hotel
Limited to forty participants.
Register online or
download registration form.
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7. Salem Kindergarten Cadre Meeting, March 15, Kindergarten Registration |
Tips for Spring Kindergarten Registration and How to Build Wonderful Learning Environments!
March 15, 2010 (Monday) – 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
McKinley Elementary, 466 McGilchrist Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97302.
School phone: 503-399-3167.
Gather resources for a helpful Parent Information Notebook and consider ways to enhance your “parents as partners” program. Don’t miss seeing two beautiful McKinley Kindergarten environments with great class libraries and
wonderful organizational details! Anne Pagett and Dee Montgomery will open their joyful kindergarten classrooms to you. Bring your cameras!
We will also consider ways to build a smooth transition between Head Start, preschool, and kindergarten. What social-emotional and literacy goals are the most important for preschool and kindergarten teachers to nurture? How can we
collaborate for the benefit of our children? Please consider inviting your school’s Head Start teacher to join us! We’d love to have them!
Smiles—it’s almost spring!
Nellie Edge |
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