1. The “Pledge of Allegiance”: New Literacy Links and
ASL Video Clip
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“We have only had twelve days of school, and already my kindergartners can recite and sign the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’! Everyone is so amazed…” So began one delightful teacher who has studied
“The Magic of Signing Songs” with us. (And that’s why I enjoy answering the phone and reading your emails!) For all of you who want to take advantage of how the kindergarten brain learns best while
teaching “The Pledge of Allegiance,” see ASL instructional video 
The Pledge of Allegiance , and new resources for connecting oral language to print, simultaneously building speech, language, and reading skills:
Share American Sign Language (ASL) with Families:
Plan now to attend “The Magic of Signing Songs” Seminar next summer, June 28 and 29, 2010, in Salem, Oregon at the lovely Salem Conference Center Hotel.
See Seminar Information:
“The Magic of Signing Songs”
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2. Poetry Connections: The Study of Fall Leaves |
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This fall, give children the most exquisite language we speak – poetry. Greet children at the door with a poem about leaves or the weather. Weave poetry into the study of trees and seasons. Speak to the children in
“small poems of some delight” throughout the day. Children love to memorize, recite, and perform poetic language. Make language charts for shared reading and community building.
Children will enjoy dramatizing poems and songs from our October poetry collection. Bring in a large basket of leaves and invite them to dramatize and dance the language with leaves in each hand. How can they show “twirling,”
“trembling,” “dancing,” and “falling” while reciting the language?
Give children individual copies of the new poem to illustrate. Watch them read and reread the text with increasing fluency and confidence from their personal “I Can Read” Notebook.
Mount and laminate one or more illustrated copies of each new poem. Store these in a “poetry box” for your children’s reading selection. Familiar poems and songs make great “read to self” materials.
Download copies of our expanding monthly collection of 8.5" x 11" large print, copyright-secured poetry, song, and rhyme pages including:
October Poems
Like a Leaf or a Feather
Like a leaf or a feather
In the windy, windy weather,
We will twirl around
And all sink down—together.
anonymous |
Leaves are Falling
Leaves are falling
Falling to the ground.
Leaves are falling
Falling to the ground.
See them gently twirl around
Dancing till they reach the ground.
Leaves are falling
Falling to the ground.
Nellie Edge |
Who Has Seen The Wind?
Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you.
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing though.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I.
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.
Christina Rossetti |
For additional “Small Poems of Some Delight”, see the copyright-secured Poetry Anthology Collections at our
Online Bookstore.
Involve Families in Meaningful Fall Science and Literacy Experience
Invite parents to take walks with their child and collect leaves, press and return the leaves to school for observation, classification, drama, science, and art projects. When the child brings home their Poetry
“I Can Read” Notebook featuring poems about leaves, families can celebrate the language and images of fall all over again.
Connecting Science, Art, and Literacy: Sun Catchers and Tree Journals
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Place pressed leaves between sheets of 8½" x 1" clear (sticky-side) contact paper or adhesive Mylar. Hang the leaf collages on the windows to catch the sun or use them to adorn the covers of
children’s art notebooks.
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Invite each child (or the class) to pick a tree on the school grounds to observe and study. Keep a Tree Journal: draw and write about how the tree changes through the seasons.
Individual Tag Project: Study and Identify Local Trees and Leaves
Evergreen Tree
Does an evergreen tree
Ever wish
It was
Deciduous?
Nellie Edge |
Encourage an interested child to read and study about trees, using drawings and photos to make a book. This is the kind of higher-level learning challenge that TAG parents especially appreciate. You may soon have some kindergarten
“tree experts” and “leaf experts” who are eager to share their new knowledge. These happy learners may inspire other children to want to study, make books, and become an “expert” about their fascination
with the natural world.
See:
This month, also consider celebrating the Fall Harvest and Studying the Nocturnal Animals. Laura Flocker calls “Creatures of the Night.” See the amazing studies her kindergartners engage in at
her website.
Here are some other fun links:
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3. Art and Literacy Connections with Laura Flocker |
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Kindergarten children are capable of learning how to use lines and shapes to draw animals, make sketches, use shading, draw realistic and abstract design elements, and develop confidence and pride in themselves as artists while supporting
and developing handwriting.
See beautiful photos of
Laura’s Art-Rich Kindergarten Program eight-page PDF.
Laura and I are co-authoring a book Art, Literacy, and the Kindergarten Child, which will be available online next summer, along with another opportunity to study with Laura Flocker. Again, enjoy
her literacy-award winning website. |
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4. Name Ticket and Kindergarten Friendly Handwriting |
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One of my Kindergarten Research projects this year is optimum use of the “Name Ticket Strategy” and to further refine approaches to “Kindergarten-Friendly Handwriting.”
Printing one’s first name efficiently is the most motivating and meaningful way to begin handwriting instruction, and parents are very happy to know how to help. See
Parents as Partners: Name Ticket Strategy
It is important to teach top-to-bottom, left-to-right, counterclockwise direction and diagonal lines as handwriting models right from the start. Kindergartners do take pride in making the letters of their name look closer and closer to the
name ticket model, especially if we use specific, encouraging language with them.
For more information see:
This is one of the “Ten Best Practices” that we will explore in my next seminar on October 24, 2009, in Salem, Oregon. It is also included in our free e-book. |
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5. Ten Best Practices in Joyful Accelerated Kindergarten Literacy: Proven Strategies that Produce Exceptional Gains Seminar |
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Presented by Nellie Edge
October 24, 2009 - Salem, OR (Salem Conference Center Hotel)
Professional Development Credits and six Washington Clock Hours are available
What are the most brain-friendly and engaging literacy strategies we can use to create a joyful and challenging kindergarten? Explore exemplary literacy instruction with Nellie Edge as she inspires you to build the oral
language and literacy foundations—honoring research and honoring childhood.
REGISTRATION SPECIAL
$129 through October 15, 2009
$199 after that date.
View seminar details.
(Please note, the Web Seminars featuring Best Joyful Kindergarten Literacy Practices will not be available until 2010.)
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6. Family Literacy Evening: Tips for Success
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Meaningful and supportive family connections in kindergarten multiply our teaching effectiveness and build a foundation for success K-12! Many of our colleagues are preparing for their “Family Literacy Evening.” As you prepare
to dialogue with families, remember that the most important information that parents need to hear first is “I care about your child, “I love teaching kindergarten,” and “Your child will love to come to school each
day!”
Here are a few articles you may enjoy:
For more information see: Parents as Partners in Kindergarten and Early Literacy: Family Connections that Multiply our Teaching Effectiveness at our
Online Bookstore. |
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7. Oregon In-service Day Events
and Salem Kindergarten Cadre Schedule |
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Friday October 9, as a part of the Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children (OAEYC) conference, there is a special full-day workshop focusing on Best Kindergarten Literacy Practices. I will be presenting
“The Magic of Signing Songs and Multisensory ABC and Phonics Immersion” and anticipate sharing the day with special kindergarten colleague, Diane Bonica, and other respected early literacy educators.
View the website information. (Sign up for full-day session AB2.)
Saturday, October 10, Julie Lay will present Writing to Read in Kindergarten: Explore the Power of “Kid Writing.” This seminar continues to receive rave reviews! See link for
registration and our
complimentary writing resources.
Monday, October 12, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Katie Anderson will host Family Literacy Night: Tips to Make Yours Successful, at Candalaria Elementary School, 953 Hansen Ave. S., Salem, Oregon 97302, (503) 399-3136. Nellie
Edge, Janis Wurgler, and your kindergarten colleagues will discuss how to make this important event a successful evening that multiplies your teaching effectiveness all year long!
Your handouts are Chapters 9, 10, and 11 from our book Parents as Partners in Kindergarten and Early Literacy: Family Connections that Multiply Our Teaching Effectiveness. If you have not already received a copy
of this book and you plan to attend, please email Janis, and we will bring you a complimentary copy of the book. Other teachers who would like more information on the book may visit our
Online Bookstore
Wishing you happy celebrations of fall,
Nellie Edge
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