What's New?
Common Core State Standards
How Do We Reach High Common Core Standards in a CHILD’S GARDEN—Kindergarten?
We designed this CCSS logo to reflect our vision of implementing Common Core State Standards within a framework of:
- Joyful, meaning-centered learning—rich in music, drama, sign language, and the arts.
- An understanding that kindergarten learning is active and social.
- Strong and respectful “Parents as Partners” connections.
- A concern for the physical and emotional well-being of children and a commitment to imparting positive learning attitudes and beliefs that will help each child do well in school—and in life.
- See CCSS documents, articles, teachers support, and kindergarten writing samples.
ABC Phonics Support
ABC Phonics: Sing, Sign, and Read! by Nellie Edge book and CD features an innovative “Multisensory ABC and Phonics Immersion” strategy, creating an engaging and memorable way for children to learn letters and sounds and begin the reading process. The integration of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning pathways builds success for all young learners. Delightful watercolor illustrations, ASL signs, and a team of engaging children join you on this lively musical adventure.
Because still pictures alone do not fully convey the beautiful flow and motion of ASL, Sign2Me publishers has created complimentarily online tutorial videos to help you learn the signs in this ABC Phonics book. “Family ABC Wall Charts” and “Parents as Partners” letters are also available.
- Free ASL Video Resources: Learn to finger spell A to Z
- New "Parent as Partners" Resources
- Why Research Supports Singing and Signing
Where Do I Begin?
Teachers new to our Excellence in Kindergarten and Early Literacy website (and the literacy leaders who support them) often ask, “Where do I begin?”
Let us walk you through our best recommendations and online resources:
- Visit exemplary kindergarten programs online. Start with our Excellence in Kindergarten Literacy Award sites and other favorite kindergarten literacy sites. They are annotated with direct links to some of the most inspiring content on each site. (You could spend hours here!)
- Join the free mentor kindergarten teacher chat board at www.teachers.net/mentors/kindergarten/ and follow the dialog on topics of interest. You will discover wise National Board Certified kindergarten voices here! We make it a point to read everything posted by Jacque Verrell, KinderJane and Julie Lay (a.k.a. Hedgie Haven).
- Read The Daily 5: Fostering Literacy Independence in The Elementary Grades by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser and join The Daily Café website. This high-quality professional site provides inspiring video clips, weekly news tips, and helpful articles. The Daily 5™ Kindergarten seminar with accompanying DVD is a “must-attend” event.
- Develop a repertoire of joyful songs, poems, rhymes, and chants. Listen to quality children’s CDs and DVDs (See: Recommended Children’s CDs). Download free poems and rhymes to learn. Develop an “I Can Read Poetry” notebook strategy. (See: photo essay.)
- Join our online community by subscribing to our monthly newsletter (top left of page) to take advantage of our joyful, accelerated literacy resources—IT’S FREE! Find
video clips, photo essays, e-Books, and Read and Sing Little Books. Look for upcoming Webinars on “Best Practices in Joyful Accelerated Kindergarten Literacy.:” Meeting the Challenge of High Common Core State Standards - Please see entire article.
Video Clips of Joyful Accelerated Literacy Strategies
- Kindergarten Performance: ABC Phonics Sing, Sign, and Read! by Nellie Edge
- ABC Phonics Sing, Sign and Read! ASL Tutorial
- ASL Letters and Sounds Tutorial for ABC Phonics
- ASL Letters and Symbols Tutorial for ABC Phonics
- The Pledge of Allegiance ASL Instructional Video
- Kindergartners Perform Lee Greenwood's Version of The Pledge of Allegiance
- L-o-v-e Spells Love ASL Instructional Video
- M-o-m Spells Mom ASL Instructional Video
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star ASL Instructional Video
- Diane Bonica's Silent E Song
- Diane Bonica's We Can Write Nonsense Songs
- Kathy Bridges' Kindergarten Year-end Rap
- Kathy Bridges' With Happy Hearts We Sing and Dance
- Meet Rulee the Kindergarten Puppet
- Kid Writing videos with Julie Lay
- Glimpses of Student-led Parent Conferences
New “Members Only” Resources
We add new items monthly so be sure to join our online community and bookmark this resource.
- Download information about our Elephant and Piggie Book Club
- Enjoy full-color Read and Sing Little Books
- Discover over 100 practical Writing-to-Read templates
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Our Newest Free e-Book
ABC Phonics: Sing, Sign and Read! Teachers Guide: Multisensory ABC and Phonics Immersion Strategies
- Begin the year with one consistent, multisensory ABC and Phonics program. Invite parents to be partners as you sing, sign, and read! Adding the kinesthetic element of ASL for the ABCs and key phonics symbols creates powerful hooks to long-term memory with whatever ABC and phonics system you are using. Engaging children in a multisensory musical adventure as they develop letter and sound correspondence dramatically increases recall. Singing allows the brain to chunk all 26 letters, sounds and key phonics symbols into one memory space. Read about our action-research and proven practices in this latest free e-Book.
Favorite New Children's Books for 2011
- Confession:I love children’s books. I love reading aloud. I love finding and giving children only the “rarest kind of best in anything,” and I love creating lists. So this new list is really simply my excuse to share wonderful books with my fellow children’s book enthusiasts. Now how fun is that?
Parents as Partners in Kindergarten Early Literacy: Family Connections that Multiply our Teaching Effectiveness
- Our goal is to engage families in joyful learning together. We do not recommend sending home isolated “dittoed” sheets—or mere busywork. Rather, we hope to encourage parents to build language, literacy, and a love of learning through activities which enrich family communication and togetherness. At the deepest level, our desire is to set in motion a family commitment to their child’s education for many years to come.
2012 Seminars
Writing-to-Read Accelerates Literacy: All Kindergartners Love to Write and Draw!
New Workshop with award-winning kindergarten teacher-researcher and author, Nellie Edge
Salem, OR - February 18, 2012
Summer Seminars(This is the second in our series of kindergarten writing workshops.) |
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Spokane, WA May 5, 2012 |
Salem, OR June 19, 2012 |
Tacoma, WA June 26, 2012 |
Denver, CO July 24, 2012 |
Boise, ID July 31, 2012 |
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- See Common Core State Standards in practice
- Professional Development Credits and WA Clock Hours available<
- Read more about these seminars or register online.
Writing to Read in Kindergarten: Growing Engaged and Purposeful Writers Through the Lens of the Common Core State Standards
Presented by award-winning kindergarten teachers Julie Lay, NBCT
(This was the first in our series of kindergarten writing workshops.)
Fall 2012 date to be announced: Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Washington
- Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours available
Art-Science-Literacy and the Kindergarten Child
A Saturday Kindergarten Workshop
Presented by Laura Flocker with Nellie Edge facilitating
Rescheduled for Fall 2012 (Date to be announced.)
- Includes a copy of Laura's beautiful resource book
- Common Core State Standards in practice
- Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours available
See the complete list and details of 2012 seminars
Photo Essays: Brain-Friendly Literacy™
Exemplary early childhood classrooms celebrate language and celebrate childhood. They actively engage children in joyful learning and meaningful print. We are excited to share inspiring glimpses – through photo essays – of life and literacy inside classrooms that take advantage of how the brain learns best.
- All Children Love to Write: I Love You! (NEW-PDF only)
- Favorite Kindergarten Literacy Center: Stamp and Read Skinny Books! (NEW - PDF only)
- With Happy Hearts We Dance and Sing
- The Kinder Stars Year-end Celebration: Children Share Sign Language, Learning and Love
- How Parents and Grandparents Enhance Our Curriculum
- The Poetry of Falling Leaves
- Using the Neurological Impress Method for Reading Fluency
- Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy
- Accelerate Literacy Through Joyful Learning
- Becky Leber's Literacy Centers
- The Magic of Signing Songs
- "Writing to Read" in Kindergarten Part I
- "Writing to Read" in Kindergarten Part II
- How to Build Poetry (I Can Read) Notebooks
- Classroom and Seminar Language Charts
Visit 2012 Award-Winning Kindergarten and Preschool Classrooms Online:
We are honored to share our Excellence in Kindergarten and Early Literacy website awards. Each of these teachers have created a "child's garden," where active learning, social-emotional development, and high literacy standards are joyfully woven together. You will see a multisensory and differentiated approach to literacy, high expectations and wonderful "kid writing." You will also see and read about literacy-rich play centers, a curriculum that values the educational arts, beautiful environments and respectful and supportive parent connections. Now we all have the insights from mentor teachers as close as our computer. A special thank you to these awesome teachers: Karen Cox, Diane Bonica, Joan Moser, Vanessa Levin, Isabell Cardonick, Jacque Verrall, and Laura Flocker.
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Our award is for inspiring and informative
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Over 200 Free Poetry ("I Can Read") Notebook Pages
Download 8.5" x 11" pages of some of our favorite (copyright secured) poems, songs and rhymes for children to memorize, recite, illustrate and read:
Latest Free Picture Recipes
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Full-color Play Dough PDF 1. Play Dough 2. Fruit Salad 3. Individual Pizzas 4. Soft Pretzels 5. Stone Soup 6. Chewy Yum Yums 7. Bunny Salad 8. Fruit Tree |
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Kids in the Kitchen (aka Kindergarten Cooks) by Nellie EdgeSee a newly reprinted issue of this best-selling cookbook with laminated front and back cover for the next generation of happy, young cooks!” |
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We are Rebuilding our Northwest Coalition for Excellence in Kindergarten and Early Literacy.
We appreciate the past support of key colleagues from the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Lane E.S.D., Willamette University School of Education, Oregon Reading Association, Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children and the Oregon Arts Association. During the 2011/2012 school year we anticipate dialoging again with interested educators from these organizations and the Oregon Chatboard Project and Oregon Department of Education: How can we collaborate to promote excellence in kindergarten literacy? Quality kindergarten teaching with “parents as partners” is the vital foundation necessary for closing the achievement gap. Isn’t it time we ask Oregon’s accomplished kindergarten teachers what they have learned from research and "wisdom of practice" about accelerating literacy for all of our children?
Kindergarten Support Groups - Salem Cadre 2012
* See article: How to Start Your Own Kindergarten Support Cadre.*
Salem Kindergarten Cadre Professional Development 2012
Engaging Young Writers Through Authentic Literacy
Welcome to a brand new school year! As you begin planning for your own professional development, we would like to invite you to explore rich literacy practices that engage young learners with your new and veteran kindergarten colleagues. This year’s P.D. focus... Engaging young writers through authentic literacy.
Each session will include looking at student writing. In addition, we will begin exploring how to transition to the new English Language Arts Common Core Standards for kindergarten.
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Instruction that Supports Young Writers
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Publishing with an Audience in Mind
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Celebrating Kindergarten Writers
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You are welcome to join us for some or all of these sessions. *Optional one unit of professional development credits are be available and paid for by the district. Details and paperwork will be available at the January Cadre meeting. For questions e-mail Janis Wurgler, wurgler_janis@salkeiz.k12.or.us or Nellie Edge, info@nellieege.com.
(Always check the Salem-Keizer Website for any last minute changes or additions to this schedule)
These professional development sessions are free. You will be encouraged to pursue a practical kindergarten research topic this year. Semester credits are available through the University of the Pacific. Many of Salem’s mentor kindergarten teachers will host these monthly meetings in their beautiful “Kid Writing” classrooms. I will continue to host a few “living-room” workshops.
See archive of past Salem Cadre Support Groups.
Join Us For Three Salem Writing-to-Read “In Kindergarten” Workshops.
Experience Excellence in Kindergarten Literacy: Joyful and Rigorous Learning Honors Childhood
with Katie Nelson, Winter Curry, and Nellie Edge
Monday, January 30, 2012 at McKinley Elementary (Seminar is full.)
Writing-to-Read Accelerates Literacy: All Kindergartners Love to Write and Draw!
with Nellie Edge, Winter Curry, and Katie Nelson
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at McKinley Elementary
Art-Science-Literacy and the Kindergarten Child
with Laura Flocker and Nellie Edge
Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Candalaria Elementary
Special Workshop Price for Cadre Teachers
We are saving ten spaces for Salem Kindergarten Cadre teachers for each of these practical and inspiring workshops on a first come, first served basis.
Please enter the word “cadre” when you register and you will receive the special $139 rate. Request professional development funding through the district between November 28, 2011 and December 9, 2011.
If you need assistance with this process, please contact Janis Wurgler, Jodi Crowe, or your school literacy coach.
Our Resource Books Are:
- Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy: High Expectations • Joyful Learning • Proven Strategies, by Nellie Edge, 2011. Enjoy the complimentary photo essays and video clips from nellieedge.com.
- The Daily Five™: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades, by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser, Stenhouse, 2006. See their helpful website for ordering information: www.The2Sisters.com. Consider joining this quality site.
- Excellence in Kindergarten Literacy: Joyful and Rigorous Learning Honors Childhood! by Katie Nelson and Nellie Edge, 2011.
- In Pictures and In Words: Teaching the Qualities of Good Writing through Illustration Study, by Katie Wood Ray. Heinemann, 2010.
- Kid Writing: A Systematic Approach to Phonics, Journals, and Writing Workshop, by Eileen G. Feldgus and Isabell Cardonick. The Wright Group, 1999.
- Parents as Partners in Kindergarten and Early Literacy: Multiplying Our Teaching Effectiveness, by Nellie Edge, 2011.
- Writing-to-Read Accelerates Literacy: All Kindergartners Love to Write and Draw! by Nellie Edge and Colleagues, 2012.
- About the Authors: Writing Workshop with Our Youngest Writers by Katie Wood Ray, Heinemann, 2004.
- Breaking the Code: The New Science of Beginning Reading and Writing, by J. Richard Gentry, Ph.D. Heinemann, 2006.
- Choice Words: How Our Language Affects Children's Learning, by Peter Johnston. Stenhouse, 2004.
- Talking, Drawing and Writing, by Martha Horn and Mary Ellen Giacobbe. Stenhouse, 2007.
- The Literate Kindergarten: Where Wonder and Discovery Thrive, by Susan L. Kempton. Heinemann, 2007.
- Writing to Read in Kindergarten: Growing Engaged & Purposeful Writers through the Lens of the Common Core State Standards, by Julie Lay and Nellie Edge, 2012.