In my June 27th seminar Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy: Higher Standards • Joyful Learning • Proven Strategies I will highlight the best practices I have observed from exemplary Northwest kindergartens — strategies that can be duplicated in any kindergarten (preschool or first-grade) with amazing results. Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy Seminar Flier (pdf format). Remember to register early for special savings. The seminar resource book will be printed with many full-color pages.

Maximizing Language and Literacy Through the Magic of Signing Songs.
Download Seminar Flier (pdf format)

Our current signing seminar: The Magic of Signing Songs: Enhancing All Children’s Language and Literacy also includes songs in English and Spanish. Download Seminar Flier (pdf format)

Excerpts from Breaking the Code: The New Science of Teaching Beginning Reading and Writing.
“Adult underwriting is the corrected version of the child’s writing, but as Eileen Feldgus would say, it’s done “in a praise mode.” I recommend writing the adult version at the bottom of the page below the full version of the child’s writing as opposed to writing the adult version directly under each child’s word, to keep the integrity of the child’s version intact.

“Read the kid writing.” Then the teacher prompts by saying, “Now try the adult writing” and offers encouragement such as “Wow, you are such a good reader!”

When teachers use the terms kid writing and adult writing sensitively, they convey to children that children aren’t expected to write like adults and give them confidence to do productions in “kid spelling.”

See Kid Writing: A Systematic Approach to Phonics, Journals, and Writing Workshop by Eileen G. Felgus and Isabell Cardonick at www.kidwriting.com and seminar flier for Julie Lay’s seminar June 28th in Salem, Oregon. Writing to Read in Kindergarten: Explore the Power of Kid Writing

Susan Ventura and Mitzi Shirk’s kindergartners in Eugene, Oregon are busy hand painting wings this month for the end-of-the-year Kindergarten Fly Away Celebration. Parent volunteers trace and cut out a set of wings from railroad board for each child. “After the children paint their wings with bright colors and designs (and sometimes feathers and glitter) we attach two elastic straps to hold these on their arms. On our last day of school families are invited for an informal picnic lunch and popsicle event which concludes with the children donning their wings and “flying away” from kindergarten. Children love the effect of flying in their wings down the sloping hills and meadow areas at the edge of the school woods!” Susan writes.
Families watch and applaud at the bottom of the hill as their joyful child comes floating up and down again and again. What a lovely, symbolic way to bring closure to a joyful kindergarten year.

• I Believe I Can Fly (chorus) by R. Kelly Lyrics from the soundtrack for the movie Space Jam
• See Me Beautiful by Red Grammer
• What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

For other end-of-the-year celebrations see End-of-Year Celebrations Bring Closure to the Learning Community.

See: New Kindergarten Cadre Description and Application Form

Nellie Edge Seminars

Celebrate Language and Accelerate Language:
Higher Standards • Joyful Learning • Proven Strategies
Presented by Nellie Edge - June 27th Salem, OR
$159 / $179 (after June 5th)
Achieve high literacy gains for all learners through multisensory, differentiated instruction that is active, motivating and appropriate for diverse learners. Celebrate the power of music, movement, sign language and the arts as translators of meaning and hooks to long-term memory. Includes powerful, multisensory ABC, phonics and print immersion; literacy work centers; teaching high-frequency “by heart” words; handwriting strategies; and joyful learning rituals and celebrations. Download Seminar Flier (pdf format)

Writing to Read in Kindergarten: Explore the Power of “Kid Writing”
Presented by Julie Lay - June 28th Salem, OR
$159 / $179 (after June 5th)
Learn how to systematically organize your writing program and your classroom environment for accelerated literacy gains and joyful learning. Julie Lay will share her kindergarten literacy program with unique insights into developing a community of learners who all perceive themselves as writers from the first day of school. Includes: how to use “kid writing” to systematically teach phonics; writing and art across the curriculum; and how to make usable word walls. Download Seminar Flier (pdf format)

The Magic of Signing Songs: Enhancing All Children's Language
and Literacy (PreK-2)
Presented by Diane Larson & Nellie Edge – June 29th, Salem, OR
$175 / $179 (after June 5th)
No Previous Sign Language Experience Required
Weave this powerful, multisensory experience into the life of your classroom for amazing literacy gains.
Learn: What a Wonderful World, The ABC Sign Language and Phonics Song, Pledge of Allegiance, America the Beautiful, This Land is Your Land, See Me Beautiful, The More We Get Together (with variations), L-O-V-E Spells Love, M-O-M Spells Mom, English and Spanish Greeting and Farewell Song, and helpful signs for class management. Registration includes: Detailed resource book, Instruction video, ASL songbook and anthology set ($99 value). Download Seminar Flier (pdf format)

• Optional baritone ukulélé and autoharp lessons are available with an additional fee for those attending all three days of training.
• Early Registration: Any 2 days for $295 or all 3 days for $395 before June 5, 2006
  Partial scholarships available for New (1st, 2nd, or 3rd-year) Kindergarten Teacher Cadre. Email request to info@nellieedge.com.

Maximizing Language and Literacy Through the Magic of Signing Songs (Original)
Presented by Diane Larson and Nellie Edge – August 1st, Salem, Oregon
$175
No Previous Sign Language Experience Required
Due to your requests, we are offering the original Magic of Signing Songs all-day seminar again (just once!) on August 1, 2006 as a small (non-advertised) seminar for those of you who missed it. Yes, this seminar also comes with complete video, handbook and anthology set. Thousands of Northwest teachers enjoyed this seminar between 1990 and 2000 featuring brain research, curriculum extensions and favorite children’s songs in sign language. So here it is – one more time. This small living room seminar is limited to 17 participants. Download Seminar Flier

Oregon Teacher Arts Institute
Western Oregon University
Monmouth, OR, July17-21.
$300 - includes room, board and materials.
Kindergarten teachers have raved about this training. A variety of hands-on workshops will translate into arts-inspired teaching next fall. Title I funds and comprehensive school reform grants can be used to support arts education. Download the brochure from the Oregon Alliance for Arts Education, www.oregonarts.org.

Reggio Emilia Summer Symposium: Exploring Pedagogy
of Listening and Relationships
Opal Charter School
Portland Children's Museum
June 23-25.
Topics include: Interpretations of the Reggio Fundamentals, Imagination & Literacy, How Does Our Image of Children Influence Our Roles as Parents & Educators, Connecting Children with the Wonder & Complexity of Nature, and Tools of Learning: Introducing Media & Materials to Children. Early Registration: $135/day or $400/3 days. After May 1st registration: $145/day or $425/3 days. For a brochure email jcapitano@portlandcm.org or call Opal School Office (503) 471-9917.

BER Pacific Northwest Kindergarten Conference
Portland, OR
July 19-20.
Presented by experienced Kindergarten teachers for kindergarten teachers. This is always an energizing and inspiring experience. - $179 per day / $295 for both days. See www.ber.org.

SDE “I teach K!”
National Kindergarten Conference
Nashville, TN
July 12-15
Meet hundreds of your colleagues from all across the country and around the world. $189 one day / $499 for all four days. See www.iteachk.com