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Honorary Kindergarten Literacy Awards: We Love These Sites! We encourage everyone to visit this chatboard! Many wise National Board Certified kindergarten teachers, such as Jacque Verrall, Julie Lay a.k.a. “Hedgie Haven”, and “KinderJane” post on this board. You can listen in to topics of interest, or direct questions to these amazing teachers from across the country who generously support each other with teaching tips and thoughtful dialog. Michigan State University ASL (American Sign Language) Browser To continue learning American Sign Language, what would we do without this awesome site that features live video clips and descriptions of ASL words from A-Z? Use it in the classroom and learn right along with your children. Research strongly supports integrating American Sign Language into the early literacy curriculum. To practice management signs, start with our favorite “Lineup!” and “Focus.” Mrs. Pohlmyer's Kindergarten We absolutely love Traci Pohlmyer’s engaging kindergarten site. Take a look at the learning centers and comprehensive units and themes. Scroll down for great photos of actual art/science/literacy connections: penguin and bat projects. Traci has moved to third grade but will keep this site open. The 2 Sisters Sisters Gail Boushey and Joan Moser, authors of the "must read" book/DVD, The Daily 5: Fostering Literacy Independence in The Elementary Grades and teachers extraordinaire, have developed an engaging site with great resources. Check out What’s New, Simply Fun, and Our Favorite Things. This year Joan is a kindergarten teacher and Gail a literacy coach. Once you study with these delightful sisters, you’ll understand how powerful their model for teaching independent reading behavior is. Mrs. Bonthuis' Kindergarten Class Angie Bonthuis is a National Board Certified Teacher; and her professionalism is evident! A peek into her room shows the Giving Tree, dramatic play center, and many creative uses for pocket charts. See parent information “First Day Fears”. A 2007 Literacy Award Recipient. Mrs. Buchels's Kindergarten Class This beautiful site, a 2007 Kindergarten Literacy-Award winner, is no longer up to date, however it is filled with engaging learning photos essays. Check out Recycling Invention Day and Teddy Bears Picnic in her archived pictures. Tiffany Taylor – Our school family Tiffany has moved out of the kindergarten classroom and is now involved full time in Kindergarten training. We love her child-centered philosophy and consider her family literacy resources some of the finest on the internet, especially her take home bags. See photos of her former classroom. (Email Tiffany to request a copy of the monthly newsletter she sends to Orlando kindergarten teachers.) A 2007 Literacy Award Site. National Kindergarten Alliance Our National Kindergarten Alliance is a dedicated group of professionals who care about best practices for all young children and president elect, Liz Blek, has done a great job with this updated NKA website. Check out Professional Practices Grants and Research. Add your voice to preserving kindergarten as a “child’s garden.” Other Favorite Kindergarten Sites: Engaging Curriculum Resources - updated 2008 Anne LaBoon's Kindergarten Camp This lovely site is filled with poetry and thoughtful teaching quotes. See first day celebration photos and Anna LaBoom's extensive kindergarten Parent Handbook A-Z. Beanie Baby Strategies was the memorable teaching technique that led us to Mrs. Schilb's site. We also loved the apple science experiments in this first and second grade, multi-age, classroom. Her photo gallery is easy for parents to use and she has a great weekly newsletter. Calico Cookie Kindergarten See Terry Tunkels Valentines Day themes for teachers and the snowy day art in this language-rich kindergarten. Though this website is in transition, the photo archives reflect a wise and playful teacher who honors childhood. Terry is a past recipient of our literacy award. Carl's Corner Cherry Carl, a retired reading specialist, has developed a valuable and comprehensive K-1 literacy site. Everything is well designed, well written, and linked to research. Check out K-1 handwriting resources and her detailed themes (scroll down and see her free mini books!) Hubbard's Cupboard Web mistress Michelle, former kindergarten teacher (now a stay-at-home mom), is keeping this helpful site current. See her monthly family involvement resources; “The Tail of the Kite”. Also check out the great free printable sight word books for emergent readers. (Scroll way down!) Jacque Verrall's Full-Day Kindergarten We are very excited that this master kindergarten teacher is beginning to develop a website. Jackie Verrall, a National Board Certified Teacher, is one of the wise teacher voices on the mentor kindergarten teacher chat board. We read everything she posts! From her home page, see documents and homework. Laura Flocker's Kindergarten This former Reading Recovery® teacher, brings her passion for art and science into this all-day kindergarten site designed for parents. Take a look at “about me”, Get Ready for Kindergarten and Apple Week. These children are artists and writers from the first day of kindergarten. Kelly Bear Leah Davies generously shares some excellent articles for parents and teachers. See “Too much violence on TV? What can you do?” and “Emotional Intelligence: An essential component to education”. Thank you Leah! Kinderfriends Jill Davies has created a helpful resource for early childhood educators and families. She is a National Board Certified teacher and a past recipient of our Excellence in Kindergarten Literacy Award. Check out her free resources including rebus nursery rhyme pages. Kinder Rock Hounds is the awesome theme that first led us to Jennifer Fealty’s very useful site. See her scrapbook and literature units. The site is in transition currently from a kindergarten to PreK website. Ms. Lee's Kindergarten Science Experiments We love the great photo essays of wonderful kindergarten science experiments. See Mixing colors and Strength of egg. The photos are priceless! Mrs. Meacham's Kindergarten Check out the name games on Jessica Meacham’s first grade website and the emergent readers for holidays and themes. (Start with Valentines Day) Also be sure to see her great comprehensive Writing Mini Lessons. Mrs. Mikesell's Classroom This very professional and organized site has helpful teaching strategies. Don’t miss the literacy center ideas and see her advice on building a website for extra income. Consider signing up for her free monthly newsletter. Mrs. Jackson's Class Here is a great resource for almost every imaginable theme from A to Z! Don’t miss best of the bats and butterflies. Mrs. Jones free printable books Wow! Here are up-to-date links to hundreds of free printable emergent reader and leveled books on the internet! Mrs. Packers Kindergarten Class This site is a model of an organized, professional, and easy to use site. Learn how to build your own website. Check out her archived weekly parent newsletters. Shelby is a past recipient of our Excellence in Kindergarten Literacy Award. Mrs. Powell's Kindergarten See story bits from scooter mouse, the imaginary animal who lives in Kelley Powell’s engaging kindergarten classroom. View helpful family resources “Learn to tie your shoes”. Also check out her cast of playful puppets. Kelley Powell is NBPTS certified and it shows! Mrs. Stout's Class Parent's must love these pod casts showing kindergartners in action. (See “our class” activities and enjoy the Halloween Fun slideshow) Don't miss the Our Class/ceramics We Love Clay Rachel Stout the egg creations. Clearly Mrs. Stout loves teaching kindergarten. (We are unable to give direct links, however these items are worth seeing) Sew What 4 U Corp. Teachers love Sandy's valuable site which combines great products and helpful resources. Scroll down and see August 2007 with ideas for beginning the year and getting off to a good start. Also see Memory book. Teaching Heart The best way to navigate this mega site is to start with what's new. Check out the mini offices. The bear unit is one example of her wonderful detailed units. The K Crew Don't miss these literacy centers – especially the drama center – used for children to build projects as a response to literature. See buzz books, ideas for morning messages. These kindergarten teachers embrace a balanced approach to literacy and joyful teaching strategies with clear objectives for Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Under The Apple Tree Janet Dickens, an award-winning kindergarten teacher, presenter, and active NKA member, has created a simple yet charming site that allows her to communicate with families. See About Janet Dickens and Archives of Newsletter. Her philosophy? "Play is a big part of the kindergarten learning experience." The Virtual Vine Cindy has been a special education teacher for 23 years. You will find a long vine of detailed activities, themes, favorite children’s books, and a wealth of literacy ideas for preK to second grade. See Literacy Connections (Under work stations) Book Box Station and use of Pocket Charts. Professional Resources
Bureau of Education and Research Author Sites Music is Magic in Developing Literacy |
