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What's New
1. Complimentary "Kid Writing" e-Books (NEW)
2. Video Clips of Joyful Accelerated Literacy Strategies
3. Seminars and Workshops- 2008-2009
4. Photo Essays: Accelerate Literacy Through Joyful Learning
5. Annotated 2008-2009 Literacy Award-Winning Classrooms Online (updated 8/08)
6. Latest Free Poetry ("I Can Read") Notebook pages
7. Full-Color Play Dough Recipe
8. Kindergarten Support Groups: Salem Cadre (2008-2009)
9. Past Topics from the Eugene Cadre
 
1.Complimentary e-Books
ebook
Joyful Writing-to-Read Kindergartens: Complimentary e-Book

We have created our first complimentary 30 page e-Book for you: Joyful Writing-to-Read Kindergartners Accelerate Literacy. In PDF format, this features some of our favorite writing strategies from accomplished kindergarten teachers. You can print the entire book or single pages. Consider downloading parts of it in full color—the photos, “kid writing” and children’s art are quite wonderful.

Download Joyful Writing-to-Read in Kindergarten e-Book

If you find this e-Book useful, please share it with your kindergarten colleagues.

We welcome your feedback at info@nellieedge.com.

ebook

Writing-to-Read Seminar Sampler: Complimentary e-Book
by Nellie Edge and Julie Lay

This 30 page, full color Seminar Sampler is from the 165 page Seminar Literacy Manual Writing to Read in Kindergarten: Explore the Power of "Kid Writing". In PDF format, this features some great writing strategies and awesome photos from Julie Lay's Kindergarten.

Download Writing-to-Read Seminar Sampler e-Book

Next seminar: November 7, 2008 Salem, Oregon
Download Seminar flier


2. Video Clips of Joyful Accelerated Literacy Strategies
3. Seminars and Workshops 2008-2009
1. Writing to Read in Kindergarten: Explore the Power of "Kid Writing"
Presented by Julie Lay

November 7, 2008 - Salem, Oregon

Julie Lay is a mentor kindergarten and NBCT teacher who has developed a model "writing to read" classroom. Spend a day with Julie and learn practical tips for organizing the literacy environment and see why the "Kid Writing" approach is such a powerful way to systematically develop phonics skills and word recognition through journal writing. Learn multisensory ABC and phonics immersion strategies and how to create interactive word walls. Teach high-frequency words "by heart" and use sign language for classroom management while enhancing literacy acquisition. Explore writing and art across the curriculum. Includes comprehensive handbook with writing rubrics and Star Chart assessments.

See Photo Essays: "Writing-to-Read" in Kindergarten and "Writing-to-Read" in Kindergarten Part II

ebook

Download Writing-to-Read Seminar Sampler: Complimentary e-Book.
We invite you to share the "Kid Writing" Sampler with your collegues.

Download "Kid Writing" seminar flier.
Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours Available

Possible 2008-2009 seminar locations. Please email us, info@nellieedge.com, with your interest in attending this "Kid Writing" Seminar in the following locations (as soon as we see significant email response, we will schedule our next out-of-area seminar):

  • Cherry Hill, NJ
  • Chapel Hill, NC
  • St. Paul, MN
  • Chicago, IL
  • Edmonds, WA

2. (Day 1) The Original Magic of Signing Songs Seminar: Maximizing Language Through the Magic of Signing Songs (PreK-2)
Now available as a Distance Learning Program with DVD, resource book, and anthology set. For more details >

Presented by Nellie Edge and Diane Larson

PLAN NOW FOR SUMMER 2009!

Portland, OR- July, 2009 (Date TBA)

Download Previous Seminar Flier (pdf format)
Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours Available

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 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
Happy Birthday
The Traditional ABC Song
You Are My Sunshine
May There Always Be Sunshine
I Think You're Wonderful
I Love The Mountains (Amo Los Montes)
  Goodnight Irene (Buenas Noches Irene)
Rainbow ‘Round Me
I Have A Cat (Yo Tengo Un Gato)
I Can Read Colors (Se Leer Colores)
Sign to Me
Sing Your Way Home

Bring a Nellie Edge Seminar to your school district or State Kindergarten Conference.

(Day 2) The Magic of Signing Songs: Enhancing All Children's Language and Literacy (PreK -1)
Now available as a Distance Learning Program with DVD, resource book, and anthology set. For more details >
Presented by Diane Larson and Nellie Edge
Portland, OR- July, 2009 (Date TBA) - Details coming January, 2009
Email for details: info@nellieedge.com

Download Previous Seminar Flier (pdf format)

See Photo Essay: The Magic of Signing Songs (research and accelerated literacy benefits)

See ASL Video Clip from Seminar DVD: Pledge of Allegiance

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
Pledge of Allegiance

America the Beautiful
See Me Beautiful

  The ABC Phonics Song: Sing, Sign & Read!
The More We Get Together
(with variations)
This Land is Your Land
L-O-V-E Spells Love
M-O-M Spells Mom, and helpful signs for class management
Hola Mis Amigos/Hello My Friend (Spanish and English Greeting and Farewell Songs)

Complimentary Full-Color e-Book of seminar highlights available in January, 2009.

We are excited to be giving teachers complimentary free e-Books featuring 20-30 pages from our seminar literacy manuals as seminar announcements now rather than mailing out seminar fliers. Seminar dates and locations will also be posted on our website and newsletters. Sign up for our newsletter to receive details.


3. Best Practices in Joyful Accelerated Kindergarten Literacy: High Expectations • Joyful Learning • Proven Strategies (a.k.a. Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy)
Presented by Nellie Edge

Please email us, info@nellieedge.com, with your interest in attending this Seminar in the following locations:
  • Irvine, CA
  • Denver, CO
  • Cherry Hill, NJ
  • Chapel Hill, NC
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Spokane, WA

Nellie Edge is currently completing her ABC Phonics: Sing, Sign and Read! Picture Book project, her Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy manuscript, and video taping in exemplary kindergarten classrooms. She will resume presenting all-day seminars in 2009.

Nellie’s next scheduled mini-keynote presentation
is at the California Kindergarten Conference,
January 17, 2009.

Professional Development Credits, Washington Clock Hours and STARS Credits Available
Download Previous Seminar Flier with form for ordering Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy (pdf format)

See Seminar Content Photo Essays: Accelerate Literacy through Joyful Learning and Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy

See Seminar Content Video Clips: L-o-v-e Spells Love and M-o-m Spells Mom

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 word strategies — see amazing results.
  • Build reading independence with "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.

4. Parents as Partners in Kindergarten Literacy:
Family Connections that Multiply Our Teaching Effectiveness
Presented by Nellie Edge

Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours Available
Download Previous Seminar Flier (pdf format)

See photo essay: How Parents and Grandparents Enhance Our Curriculum

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.


Saturday "In Kindergarten" Workshops

 

Please email us if your district would like to schedule one of these practical and inspiring workshops for your kindergarten team.

Literature Alive in Kindergarten
A Saturday Kindergarten Workshop

Presented by Kathie Bridges with Nellie Edge facilitating
Salem, Oregon

Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours Available
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

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:
  • Folk Tales and Literature Alive
  • How to Develop Responsible Learners
  • Memorable Parent Performances
  • Parents as Partners in Maximizing Literacy

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

Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours Available
Download Seminar Flier (pdf format)
See Diane Bonica's Kindergarten website

See Video Clips: The Silent E Song and We Can Write Nonsense Words

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. 

Joyful Learning in a Child's Garden: Celebrating Language and Accelerating Literacy
A Saturday Kindergarten Workshop

Presented by Becky Leber and Nellie Edge
This ELL workshop can be presented for your district kindergarten team. Email info@nellieedge.com

Future dates to be announced.
Seth Lewelling Kindergarten, Milwaukie, Oregon

Professional Development Credits and Washington Clock Hours Available
Download Previous Seminar Flier (pdf format)

See Photo Essay: Becky Leber's Literacy Centers

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:

  • How to set up literacy centers that differentiate instruction
  • Creative extensions of Mother Goose rhymes
  • How to engage children in memorizing, reciting, and performing songs, poems and rhymes

This Saturday workshop in Becky's kindergarten classroom in Milwaukie, Oregon is limited to 22 teachers and will fill quickly.


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 2008/2009 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?


4. 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.

Accelerate Literacy Through Joyful Learning
With Happy Hearts We Dance and Sing Becky Leber's Literacy Centers
The Kinder Stars Year-End Celebration: Children Share Sign Language, Learning and Love The Magic of Signing Songs 
How Parents and Grandparents Enhance Our Curriculum "Writing to Read" in Kindergarten Part I
The Poetry of Falling Leaves "Writing to Read" in Kindergarten Part II
Using the Neurological Impress Method for Reading Fluency How to Build Poetry (I Can Read) Notebooks   
Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy Classroom and Seminar Language Charts 


5. Visit 2008-2009 Award-Winning Kindergarten and Early Literacy 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: Jane Chastain, Karen Cox, Nora Flanagan, Diane Bonica, Vanessa Levin, Jack Fontanella, Isabell Cardonick, and Kim Jordano.

Our award is for inspiring and informative
websites that reflect:

  • Joyful learning within a meaning-centered curriculum.
  • A wise, caring teacher who honors childhood.
  • An arts-rich and language-rich environment.
  • A systematic and differentiated approach to literacy.
  • Strong parents as partners connections.
Visit Our Annotated Award Winning Sites
Defining Excellence in Kindergarten and Early Literacy


6. Over 100 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:

Photo Essay: How to Organize Poetry ("I Can Read") Notebooks
Photo Essay: Classroom and Seminar Language Charts
Parent as Partners Letter: Poetry Notebooks



8. Kindergarten Support Groups - Salem Cadre 2008-2009


See article: How to Start Your Own Kindergarten Support Cadre.
September 22, 2008 (Monday) 4:30 to 6:00

Art, Literacy, and the Kindergarten Child with Laura Flocker (all-day kindergarten)

Candalaria Elementary, 953 Hansen Ave. S., Salem, OR 97302. School phone number is (503) 399-3136. Laura will share her passion for teaching art in kindergarten and her high expectations for student engagement in art, science, and literacy. Nellie will highlight best practices for teaching handwriting with a focus on fluency. We will have examples of best “Just Right: I Can Read” books to build individual book boxes for “Read To Self” from The Daily 5. Be sure to view Laura Flockers awesome website : Parent Information.

 

We are still finalizing plans for the remaining Fall Salem Kindergarten Cadre meetings. E-mail us at info@nellieedge.com if you are not already signed up and would like to receive announcements at your home e-mail (sometimes school e-mails block our cadre notices and monthly newsletters). Join us for discussion, camaraderie, and action-research with a focus on Best Practices to build a Joyful Kindergarten Culture of Independent Readers and Writers. 

Eugene, Portland, Albany, Stayton area teachers:  If you have studied with us in the past and are using our “Joyful Acceleratd Literacy Strategies” and “The Daily 5”, you are welcome to join us for these meetings.

Our resource books are: Other books that we highly recommend are:
  • Talking, Drawing and Writing by Martha Horn and Mary Ellen Giacobbe. 2007, Stenhouse.
  • Choice Words: How Our Language Affects Children's Learning by Peter Johnston. 2004, Stenhouse.
  • Why We Teach: Learning, Laughter, Love and the Power to Transform Lives by Linda Alston. 2008, Scholastic.
  • The Literate Kindergarten: Where Wonder and Discovery Thrive by Susan L. Kempton. 2007, Heinemann.

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. We will have registration details at our first meeting.  Many of Salem’s mentor kindergarten teachers will hostthese monthly meetings in their beautiful classrooms.  I will also host a few “living-room” workshops.

If there are a few of you interested in further discussion of a specific topic highlighted in my literacy manuals, please coordinate with each other and contact me for an informal after school workshop

(Always check the Salem-Keizer Website for any last minute changes or additions to this schedule)


Past Salem Cadre Support Groups:

Management and Organization Strategies for Kindergarten Success • Best Practices in Multisensory ABC and Phonics Immersion
Held in Katie Nelson's classroom at Salem Heights Elementary, 3495 Liberty Road S., Salem, 97302-5606. School phone number is (503) 399-3187.

Katie Nelson will share tried and proven strategies for managing and organizing the kindergarten environment.  Nellie Edge will share her practical research on Multisensory ABC and Phonics Immersion.


Creating a Caring Community Through Joyful Teaching and Positive Discipline • ABC and Phonics Immersion Dialog
Held in Celeste Starr's classroom at Sumpter Elementary, 525 Rockwood St. SE, Salem.  School phone number is (503) 399-3337.

Celeste Starr will talk about how she builds a caring learning community (with delightful songs and dances!) and how she teaches kindness, respect, and responsibility.  Bring your questions.  We will also continue the ABC and Phonics Immersion dialog with Nellie Edge.


Dance, Sing, and Sign: Best Practices for Large and Small Motor Development • ABC Fluency Research
Held in Kathie Bridges' kindergarten at Pringle Elementary, 5500 Reed Lane SE, Salem.  School phone number is (503) 399-3178.

Kathie Bridges will share practical research on how to develop the small and large muscle skills necessary for writing success.  Learn how to organize appropriate literacy centers and come prepared to dance!  Nellie Edge will begin the dialog about exciting ABC fluency research and the powerful role kindergarten teachers play in building “brain-friendly” pathways for reading.


More of exploring “The Daily 5” or “The Daily Three” in Kindergarten: How to Foster Literacy Independence (First part of the DVD)

Debi Fauth's joyful kindergarten at Yoshikai Elementary School located at 4900 Jade Street NE Salem, OR 97305-3169; phone number 503-399-3438.

You are welcome to come at 4:00pm for a tour of this wonderful kindergarten classroom and to visit with your colleagues! We will start the DVD viewing promptly at 4:30pm. We are excited to view “The Daily 5” DVD: the teacher modeling is superb. You will see actual demonstrations of the three ways to read a book independently and with a buddy. These are strategies you can easily use in the kindergarten classroom.

We will explore how to create a culture for reading and begin systematically developing independent reading behavior — even in kindergarten.

If you have not received a copy of the important resource The Daily 5: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser (“the 2 sisters”) please email Janice Wurgler at Wurgler_Janis@salkeiz.k12.or.us


Interactive Writing and the Use of Individual White Boards

Jeff James kindergarten classroom at Faye Wright Elementary located at 4060 Lone Oak Rd. SE, Salem, OR 97306; phone number 503-399-3198.

Jeff will demonstrate how to conduct interactive writing lessons, and share tips on using individual white boards with kindergartners. He will also share his experience implementing some of “The Daily 5” strategies. Come early (4:00) to visit and tour his writing-to-read kindergarten. Your kindergarten colleagues have loved studying with this master teacher. The presentation will begin promptly at 4:30pm.


Music is Magic in Accelerating Language and Literacy: Using Books That Sing and Rhyme to Create the “I Can Read” Habit

Join Nellie Edge for a “Living Room Workshop” from 4:00-6:00pm in her South Salem home. E-mail for directions info@nellieedge.com and to let us know if you plan to attend. Space is limited. Please bring your Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy manual and carpool if possible.

  • Explore how to transition from shared reading to guided reading, develop literacy skills, and scaffold independent reading behavior.
  • Use accelerated literacy strategies to teach high-frequency words.
  • Use music, sign language, and drama to make language and literacy come alive!
  • Discover free resources for building individual Student-Book Boxes and filling them with “Just Right! I Can Read!” books.

What Do the Most Effective Kid Writing Classrooms Look Like?

Kindergarten Classroom To Be Announced!


9. Past Topics from the Eugene Cadre
Consider Starting Your Own Kindergarten Support Group

How to Involve "Parents as Partners" in Kindergarten Literacy
Mitzi Shirk and Susan Ventura's kindergarten at Edgewood Elementary, 577 East 46th Ave., Eugene, 541-687-3363. Explore a language-rich kindergarten and focus on Excellence in Kindergarten Literacy. Nellie Edge, Mitzi and Susan will share some of the best things kindergarten teachers do to collaborate with parents and multiply their teaching effectiveness. Please consider sharing an activity or communication idea that you have used to build respectful and successful parent connections. Handout provided.

Developing Phonemic Awareness — Best Practices
Mary Christenson's kindergarten at Parker Elementary, 3875 Kincaid, Eugene, 541-687-3303. Come and explore another wonderful kindergarten. Nellie Edge and your colleagues will contribute to this important literacy topic. Handout provided.

Art and the Kindergarten Child
Joan Cutler’s kindergarten at Adams/Hill Elementary, 950 West 22nd, Eugene, 541-687-3475. Joan will share her passion for teaching art in kindergarten and Nellie Edge will share insights on what kindergarten teachers have learned from Reggio Emelia art-rich schools.  We invite you to bring samples or photos and share a favorite integrated art project.  Handout provided.

Literacy through Children's Literature — Favorite Book Connections
Carla Cooper, Janice Nielsen and Jaynie Wiser’s kindergartens at Laurel Elementary School, 1401 Laurel, Junction City, 541-998-2386. Visit three wonderful kindergarten classrooms and share your love of using literature in kindergarten. Nellie Edge will present some comprehension strategies using quality literature. Please consider sharing one of your favorite literature extension activities. Handout provided.

Organizing Beautiful Kindergartens — Practical Strategies that Work and The Best Thing We Do to End the Year and Build Memories
Jill Liedke's K-1 classroom at Harris Elementary, 1150 East 29th Ave., Eugene, 541-687-3286. Tour a beautiful child-centered environment. Jill Liedke, Nellie Edge and local kindergarten teachers will share. Handout provided.