Open Seminars
Our seminars can be brought directly to your district. Email us your contact information.
1. Writing to Read in Kindergarten: Explore the Power of "Kid Writing"
Presented by award-winning kindergarten teacher, Julie Lay, NBCT
- July 2, 2009—Portland, OR (Airport Sheraton)
- July 23, 2009—Newark, NJ
- July 25, 2009—Raleigh, NC
- October 22, 2009—Chicago, IL (details available in July)
- October 24, 2009—St. Paul, MN (details available in July)
Make your kindergarten writing program the best it can be. Learn proven strategies for organizing the kindergarten environment. Let Julie Lay show you why the “Kid Writing” approach is such a powerful way to systematically develop phonics skills through journal writing. Use music, art, sign language, and dance for brain-friendly learning across the curriculum.
In just one day you’ll learn how to:
- Begin the year with “Kid Writing” and book making
- Use powerful ABC and phonics immersion strategies
- Teach high-frequency “heart” words—their way
- Make interactive word walls
- Teach handwriting effectively
- Use ongoing authentic assessment
Cost? Just $199. (Includes beautiful literacy manual, refreshments, and literacy gifts)
Enroll today. Limited to 75 teachers. Download 2009 Registration form with hotel details.
See the Free video clips of "Kid Writing" Workshops with Julie Lay.- See Photo Essays: "Writing-to-Read" in Kindergarten and "Writing-to-Read" Part II
- Download Writing-to-Read Seminar Sampler: Complimentary e-Book. Thirty full-color pages from the 165-page seminar manual by Julie Lay and Nellie Edge
- Your colleagues evaluate this seminar. “The best seminar I’ve been to…with management strategies I’m going to put in place Monday. Absolutely so useable and wonderful photos to jog my memory. The joy—light in a truly developmentally appropriate classroom. Super, super handbook.”
- See seminar flier for more information
Possible 2009 seminar locations:
- Bend, OR (October 10, 2009 – tentative)
- Eugene, OR
- Phoenix, AZ
- Denver, CO
2. (Day 1) The Original Magic of Signing Songs Seminar: Maximizing Language Through the Magic of Signing Songs (PreK-2)
Presented by Nellie Edge and Diane Larson
June 29, 2009 - Portland, OR
Updated Distance Learning Program with DVD, Literacy Manual, ASL Guide, and Anthology set. Available May, 2009
Download 2009 Seminar Registration Form (pdf format)
Professional Development Credits and six Washington Clock Hours are available
This seminar comes with new DVD, beautiful revised literacy manual, ASL handbook, and anthology set. Thousands of Northwest teachers have enriched their classrooms as a result of this seminar featuring brain research, curriculum extensions and favorite children's songs in sign language.
Songs Include: |
|
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star |
Goodnight Irene (Buenas Noches Irene) |
See Photo Essay: The Magic of Signing Songs (research and benefits for accelerated literacy)
See ASL Video Clip from Seminar DVD: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
“This is the most fun AND educational seminar I have ever attended!!!”—Denise Luenow, Seattle, WA See all of the Semminar Evalutions
(Day 2) The Magic of Signing Songs: Enhancing All Children's Language and Literacy
(PreK -1)
Presented by Diane Larson and Nellie Edge
June 30, 2009 - Portland, OR
Updated Distance Learning Program with DVD, Literacy Manual, ASL Guide, and Anthology set. Available May, 2009
Download 2009 Seminar Registration Form (pdf format)
Professional Development Credits and six Washington Clock Hours are available
Teachers across the country have loved this joyful and multisensory approach to literacy. Learn powerful, research-proven ABC and phonics immersion strategies that work with all children. Discover how incorporating American Sign Language greatly accelerates all language and literacy skills.
Songs Include: |
|
What a Wonderful World |
The ABC Phonics Song: Sing, Sign & Read! |
M-O-M Spells Mom, and helpful signs for class management Hola Mis Amigos/Hello My Friend (Spanish and English Greeting and Farewell Songs) |
|
- See Photo Essay: The Magic of Signing Songs (research and accelerated literacy benefits)
- See ASL Video Clip from Seminar DVD: Pledge of Allegiance
- Download Discover The Magic of Signing Songs Complimentary e-Book.
- See The Magic of Signing Songs: Distance Learning Information (5-09)
3. Ten Best Practices in Joyful Accelerated Kindergarten Literacy: Proven Strategies that Produce Exceptional Gains
Presented by Nellie Edge
August 1, 2009 - Portland, OR (Sheraton Airport Hotel)
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.
- Learn powerful multisensory ABC and phonics immersion and high-frequency “heart” word strategies—see amazing results.
- Build reading stamina and independence with quality literature and “Just Right: I Can Read” Books.
- Engage Parents as Partners: Simple and practical ways to dramatically multiply your teaching effectiveness.
- Develop differentiated literacy work centers that support and challenge all learners.
- Begin and end the day with joyful learning rituals and celebrations—make every moment count.
- Download Seminar Registration Form
- Download Complimentary e-Book: Ten Best Practices in Joyful Accelerated Kindergarten Literacy
- See Description of Ten Best Practices
- See Seminar Content Photo Essays: Accelerate Literacy through Joyful Learning and Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy
- See Joyful Accelerated Literacy Video Clips: L-o-v-e Spells Love and M-o-m Spells Mom
- Professional Development Credits and six Washington Clock Hours are available
Please email us, with your interest in attending this Seminar in the following locations:
- Sacramento, CA
- Irvine, CA
- Denver, CO
- Cherry Hill, NJ
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Las Vegas, NV
- Spokane, WA
Nellie Edge will be doing a keynote presentation and follow-up workshops at the National "I teach K" Conference, July 15th, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
One of the topics is Ten Best Practices in Joyful Accelerated Kindergarten Literacy.
For registration details please see SDE website.
4. Parents as Partners in Kindergarten Literacy:
Family Connections that Multiply Our Teaching Effectiveness
Presented by Nellie Edge
Create a supportive parents as partners program with easy-to-implement strategies that will make a powerful difference in each child’s language and literacy development, social skills and love of learning.
This engaging and practical seminar includes:
- Build Respectful and Supportive Parent Connections that will Enhance Every Part of the Kindergarten Experience
- Welcome Children and Their Families into a Joyful Language-Rich Classroom
- Support Parents as Partners in Providing Name Writing Practice and ABC and Phonics Immersion Strategies
- Learn How to Get More Parent Volunteers into the Classroom and How to Use Them More Effectively
- Establish a Nightly Reading-At-Home Program
- Create Memorable Parent Performances and School Celebrations that Children and Families Delight in
- Learn Proven Strategies for Successful Kindergarten Registration, Family Literacy Evening, and Literacy and Art Gifts that Families Love
“We have a covenant that says we jointly share responsibility for teaching your child.”
—Ernest Boyer
- Download Previous Seminar Flier (pdf format)
- See photo essay: How Parents and Grandparents Enhance Our Curriculum
- See articles and parent letters: Parents as Partners
- See Video Clips of Student-led Parent Conferences
Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours Available
Other Nellie Edge Seminars: Small Saturday Workshops in Exemplary Kindergartens
Spend a Saturday studying in real kindergarten classrooms with some of Oregon’s most accomplished teachers. The following workshops have inspired rave reviews from Northwest educators. Please email info@nellieedge.com if your district or kindergarten support cadre is interested in attending or co-sponsoring any of the following joyful accelerated literacy trainings. Each workshop comes with a full-color comprehensive literacy manual honoring the work of an accomplished teacher.
Literacy Through Literature, Dance, and Song: Developing Skills Within a Love of Language A Saturday Kindergarten Workshop
Presented by Kathie Bridges with Nellie Edge facilitating
Salem, Oregon
How do we develop a classroom of kindergartners 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 a half-day kindergarten? Kathie Bridges' comprehensive and engaging approach to literacy reflects her deep knowledge of children, her love of language, and a systematic, differentiated approach to literacy. With great skill, wisdom, and delight, Kathie demonstrates how to raise the literacy standards and still keep kindergarten a "child's garden."
Includes:
- With Happy Hearts We Dance and Sing
- Bringing Folk Tales and Literature Alive
- Enhancing Small Muscle Development and Handwriting Skills
- How to Develop Responsible Learners from Day One
- Memorable Parent Performances
- Parents as Partners in Maximizing Literacy
- Download Seminar Flier (pdf format)
- See photo essay with Kathie Bridges: With Happy Hearts We Dance and Sing
- See Video Clips: With Happy Heart We Dance and Sing and Year-End Kindergarten Rap
Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours Available
Art, Literacy and The Kindergarten Child A Saturday Kindergarten Workshop
Presented by Laura Flocker with Nellie Edge facilitating
Salem, Oregon
Laura Flocker, a master kindergarten teacher with a background in Reading Recovery® will share her incredible insights into developing a community of kindergartners who see and express themselves as artists and writers from the first days of school. Learn how to organize the art/literacy classroom, discover practical art techniques and the best of art resource materials. Be inspired by Laura’s classroom, which is alive with animals, growing things, science experiments, puppet plays, curious minds and real-life learning experiences.
Includes:
- How to introduce basic art materials to maximize instruction and minimize mess
- A year-long guide for teaching and integrating art across the curriculum
- Teaching children to see like an artist: skills that transfer to science, math, literacy and life
- Guided art techniques that develop confidence, drawing ability and visual literacy skills
- Exercises to develop ABC and writing fluency
See Laura Flocker's Kindergarten website
Download images from Laura Flocker’s Art-Rich Kindergarten (PDF)
Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours available
Joyful and Rigorous Kindergarten Experiences: Celebrate the Imagination and Challenge All Learners
A Saturday Kindergarten Workshop
Presented by Diane Bonica with Nellie Edge facilitating
Tigard, Oregon
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
- Download Seminar Flier (pdf format)
- See Diane Bonica's Kindergarten website
See Video Clips: The Silent E Song and We Can Write Nonsense Words
Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours Available
Joyful Learning in a Child's Garden: Celebrating Language and Accelerating Literacy
A Saturday Kindergarten Workshop
Presented by Becky Leber and Nellie Edge
Future dates to be announced.
Seth Lewelling Kindergarten, Milwaukie, Oregon
How do we raise the literacy standards and still keep kindergarten a "child's garden?" How do we honor the need for socio-dramatic play — and the need for rigorous literacy skills instruction with "at-risk" and English language learners in an all-day kindergarten? Becky Leber's balanced and engaging approach to literacy reflects her deep, deep knowledge of children, her love of language, and her understanding of how to support kinders with a meaning-centered, systematic approach to literacy. With great wisdom, patience, and delight, Becky works with the children who need her most.
Workshop includes:
- Joyful Accelerated Literacy: Multisensory ABC and Phonics Immersion
- How to Set Up Literacy Centers for Differentiated Word Work
- Dramatizing and Reading Mother Goose Rhymes
- Building Reading Stamina with "Just Right" Books
- How to Engage Children in Memorizing, Reciting, and Performing Songs, Poems and Rhymes
- Writing Across an Arts-Rich Curriculum
This Saturday workshop in Becky's kindergarten classroom in Milwaukie, Oregon is limited to 20 teachers and may fill quickly.
Download Previous Seminar Flier (pdf format)
See Photo Essay: Becky Leber's Literacy Centers
Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours Available
Kindergarten: A Celebration of the Arts With Happy Hearts We Dance and Sing
Presented by Joanie Cutler and Nellie Edge
Future dates may be announced. Eugene, OR
How do we celebrate the arts, honor childhood, and connect young children with the natural world outside the classroom? How do we nurture a love of learning in children and their families? Come and meet Joanie Cutler, who has been a mentor teacher to many of us. With her love of music, poetry, art and literature she has created a beautiful kindergarten model that is infused with the arts; nurturing creativity and literacy. When Froebel described kindergarten as a "child's garden," we believe he had a teacher like Joanie Cutler — with her gentle wisdom and uniquely creative teaching — in mind. The beautiful, full-color handbook is only available to workshop participants.
Workshop includes:
- With Happy Hearts we Dance and Sing
- Exploring the Rhymes and Images of Moher Goose
- How to Incorporate Literature and Myths into a Study of the Stars and the Cycles of Nature
- Creating a Kindergarten of Bird Watchers, Star Gazers, Plant Explorers, Rock Collectors and Insect Lovers
- Using Art, Music, Drama and Sign Language to Enhance Literacy
- Involving Parents in the Kindergarten Experience
Download Previous Seminar Flier (pdf format)
Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours Available