1. Summer Seminars: Create the Optimum Writing Program

Research consistently shows that highly skilled, engaging teachers can reduce the achievement gap. What are the inspired practices these accomplished teachers use to create a sense of belonging and accelerate literacy for all children? How do we intentionally create a community of happy, self-motivated children who not only learn how to write and read, but also LOVE to write and read? Expand your repertoire with nine proven writing-to-read strategies that produce extraordinary literacy gains.
  Meet the challenges of high Common Core State Standards!

Writing-to-Read Accelerates Literacy: All Kindergartners Love to Write and Draw!

“King of ing” strategy with Nellie Edge and friends

Presented by Nellie Edge

Seminar Schedule for May, June, and July, 2012

We are finalizing plans to present this new seminar in:

• Spokane, WA
• Tacoma, WA
• Denver, CO

Look for email announcement with details in February!

The Magic of Signing Songs: Enhancing All Children's Language, Literacy, Engagement, and Joy!

Presented by Diane Larson and Nellie Edge

Is there enough interest for us to schedule this seminar again in Salem, Oregon in July, 2012?

Yes? Please email Nellie Edge at info@nellieedge.com

Thousands of teachers have already discovered the “magic” of adding fingerspelling and sign language to their literacy programs. (This is our all-time best-attending seminar—with over 10 years of presentations.) Includes instructional DVD of all songs.

• See Seminar Page for more details
• See Magic of Signing Songs: Distance Learning Option

2. Congratulations to the Teachers from Our 2012 Literacy Award Websites

We are proud to share our 2012 Excellence in Kindergarten and Early Literacy Award winners' websites. The classroom environments captured in these inspiring, up-to-date sites continue to reflect:

• A knowledgeable, caring, and responsive teacher who honors childhood.
• High expectations and joyful meaning-centered learning.
• Authentic engagement in literacy experiences infused with music, literature, and the arts.

These teachers share a unique passion for excellence and high expectations for their students. Technology allows us to share their teaching gifts with you.

Here is just a sampling of what you will find:

Excellence in Preschool and Kindergarten Literacy

• Diane Bonica's Kindergarten: Welcome to Oregon’s Chicka-Boom Room, complete with a menagerie of giraffes and The Whisper Room. Check out all of the science photo galleries and the new delightful video clips of joyful learning, start with “Winter Weather and Skating Fun.”
• Ms. Cox's PreKinders: You could spend all day in Karen's beautiful Reggio Emelia-inspired classroom and outstanding website. Notice the aesthetic details and use of natural objects in the block center. Don't miss the documentation panels.
• Isabell Cardonick at Kid Writing: Peek inside Isabell's awesome kindergarten! This is just what you'd expect from the co-author of the book Kid Writing: A Systematic Approach to Phonics, Journals, and Writing Workshops. See art and writing displays and the Kid Writing Wall of Fame.
• Jacque Verrall's Full-Day Kindergarten: This National Board Certified teacher is one of the wise voices on the Mentor Kindergarten Teachers Chatboard. We read everything Jacque posts and highly recommend all of the well-written documents on her web page. Start with What do I say if a Child says... and Homework Guidelines. Enjoy her wise parent letters and research on play. Jacque, we are waiting for your book!
• Joan Moser’s Kindergarten from The Daily Café Website: We return again and again to this professional development site from the authors of The Daily 5 (It is well worth the registration fee!). We absolutely love watching the video clips featuring kindergarten teacher Joan Moser. See Troubleshooting Video and learn about this powerful literacy framework.
• Laura Flocker's Kindergarten: This former Oregon Reading Recovery® teacher brings her passion for art and science into an all-day kindergarten program. Take a look at March Wild Things and Signing—Mother's Day. We love studying with this master teacher and seeing the changing Images of kindergarten.
• Mrs. Levin's Pre-Kindergarten: Awesome! Vanessa's high expectations join hands with joyful, appropriate practices in this exemplary ELL program. We love her literacy center photos and the " new teacher book camp." See Developmental Center Management.

For more information about our philosophy of Excellence in Kindergarten Literacy, see:

• Our Philosophy of Joyful Accelerated Early Literacy   
• Defining Excellence in Kindergarten and Early Literacy
• The SMILE Approach to Joyful Accelerated Literacy
• Photo Essay: Accelerate Literacy Through Joyful Learning
• Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy
• Kindergarten Common Core State Standards 

3. Honoring the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

The life and teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. can be understood and honored even by young children. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught people to solve problems nonviolently. He promoted love and brotherhood. Retired kindergarten teacher Joanie Cutler shares books and stories about Martin Luther King, Jr. After much discussion, she encourages her children to apply Dr. King’s teachings by noticing when their kindergarten friends solve problems peacefully and show fairness and kindness at school. These acts are recorded on 1” x 6” strips of paper: red for acts of kindness and white for acts of peace. These are linked into a growing chain that adorns the classroom while honoring the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. A letter including strips of white and red paper chain links was also sent home to parents, asking them to record the acts and reinforce these same traits at home, and the links were sent back to school for the growing chain.

“We hope with your efforts and our own to set these traits as habits that will enrich the life of your child, and through them benefit our society.” –Joanie Cutler

• For the “Parents as Partners” letter, see Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.: Acts of Kindness.
• For more information see Martin Luther King, Jr. and The Civil Rights Movement

For some great practical lessons that honor the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr., see the following links on Jacque Verrall’s website:

• It's Fun To Be Different
• MLK Brown Egg/White Egg Science/Math/Social Studies
• MLK Shape Story Lesson Plan

4. Our Favorite Children's Books from 2011: It Was Another Great Year for Children’s Books!

Confession of two things I especially love: children's books which I love reading aloud, to anyone who will listen, for the sheer joy of the sounds and images of language... And I also love making lists! So...

Here is my new list: Favorite Children's Books From 2011:

Grandpa Green by Lane Smith, Roaring Book Press, 2011	Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Beth Krommes, Houghton Mifflin, 2011	Happy Pig Day by Mo Willems, Hyperion Book, 2011

Check out the complete list on our website: Children’s Books.

5. Salem Kindergarten Cadre Schedule for 2012

Thursday, January 9, 2012
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

in Winter Curry's and Katie Nelson’s kindergartens at McKinley Elementary
466 McGilchrist St SE, Salem, OR 97302-3773 Phone: (503) 399-3167

Topics:

Instruction that Supports Young Writers:

• Organization & structure of writing workshop: Bring your questions!
• Effective mini-lessons
• Use of quality mentor texts for writing workshop

Please consider bringing a sample of your “Kid-Writing” notebooks to share.
Janis, Katie, Winter, and Nellie will be available for individual questions and dialog.

6. Literacy Coaches, Principals, and New Kindergarten Teachers: Where Do I Begin?

Kindergarten teachers new to joyful accelerated literacy and our online community (and the literacy coaches and principals who support them) often ask me, “Where do I begin?” We hope you find this article useful: Excellence in Kindergarten and Early Literacy: 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.teachersnet.com 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 .)

See entire article: "Where Do I Begin?"

It is a pleasure to send off our January newsletter to teachers who share our vision for joyful and rigorous learning that enhances the social and emotional lives of children.

Smiles for a joyful 2012!
Nellie Edge