1. A November Poem for Your Poetry ("I Can Read") Notebooks

November no green grass no blue skies no bare feet going by no birds no bees no leaves on trees November        traditional

After children have a memorable sense of this rhyme, use it to model and engage them in interactive writing using the words “yes” and “no.” Let them practice on their white boards. Teach children to chant and fingerspell “yes” ( spells yes) and “no” ( spells no). To learn ASL for “yes” and “no,” see Michigan State University ASL (American Sign Language) Browser.

• Download November and other large print (copyright-secured) poems, songs, and rhymes for Poetry (“I Can Read”) Notebooks.
• See Language Charts for Reading and Delight

Thank you to Jennifer Foster and Jeff James for November posters!

2. Gratitude is a Yearlong Theme

Friendship, kindness, responsibility, and gratitude are yearlong curriculum themes in many of our classrooms. "Thank you" is a caring phrase that builds healthy relationships and positive attitudes about friends and life inside and outside of the classroom.

Consider opportunities for children to share appreciation:

• Teach children in pairs to turn and look at their classmates and talk (eye-to-eye and knee-to-knee) about an idea, a feeling, or curriculum theme. Model polite communication and invite the children to practice. Teach them to end the brief dialog with “Jeremy, thank you for sharing...” and "Thank you for sharing too, Ryan!"
• Teach children American Sign Language for “thank you” (with a smile on their faces ). They can sign “Thank you” to visitors and to each other.  Again, see the ASL Browser for Sign Language Instruction: Michigan State University ASL (American Sign Language) Browser
• Teach children to read, write, and spell “Thank you”. A memorable spelling song for “thank” uses the old folk melody, What Do We Do With a Drunken Sailor? Sing the letters “t-h-a-n-k” four times – once with each line of the song – and watch the children quickly learn to spell, write, and read “thank”! They will know “you” from our M-O-M Spells Mom song that teaches Mom, Dad, you and me. (Listen to the free audio from the Music is Magic CD with Nellie Edge and Tom Hunter: : Download Free Audio 1.5 MB) See Sign Language  Video Clip
• Children can surprise parents with “thank-you” notes.  After children have practiced writing “thank you” repeatedly for fluency building, give them 3″ x 8½″ strips of paper to make several “thank you” notes to take home in an envelope. A child can hide them under pillows, by the phone, in Dad’s shoes, etc.  (Thank you, Patti Peck, for this delightful literacy gift idea.)
• Look for opportunities within the classroom for children to establish eye contact and practice saying “Thank you” to each other. This might be when someone passes them snacks, pushes chairs in, holds the door open, etc.

Three wonderful books on gratitude: Thank you! 

These delightful books invite children to have “grand conversations” about all the things they are thankful for:

• Thank You, World, by Alice B. McGinty (Dial Books, 2007). Publisher description: “The joys of childhood are the same the whole world over. In this compelling book of celebratory rhyme and glowing pictures, eight very different kids from eight different countries all go about their day and experience the same moments of happiness: greeting the sun in the morning, swinging on a swing, flying a kite, being tucked in by Mommy at bedtime. Uplifting and visually rich, this book reminds us that the world isn’t as large as it seems and that life’s greatest pleasures are the simple ones.”
• Giving Thanks, by Jonathan London (Candlewick Press, 2003). A young boy learns to show gratitude for all the beauty he sees from his father, who thanks the sky and animals and trees. Like his Indian friends, this father believes that things of nature are a gift that requires something be given back – a thank you. The Booklist review says it, “…fosters respect for the natural world through a relatively simple text and illustrations and express the beauty and dignity of nature.” And we agree!
• Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Marks (Harper Collins, 2004). This warm, joyful book celebrates the many things children are thankful for – from Thanksgiving turkey and pie to hopscotch and fall leaves. Sharing this simple book is a wonderful way to foster a spirit of gratitude. The message inspires children to think about the many things they have to say “Thank you” for. As an extra bonus, the print is clear and large enough to engage early reader.

November Themes

• The story of Thanksgiving and a study of the gifts of the Native Americans to the pilgrims and the Native American view of the natural world provide an opportunity to create rich November curriculum themes including foods and nutrition. Wise kindergarten teacher Joanie Cutler involved families in creating a “Thankful Feast for Native Americans,” held in the classroom for families. Before the feast, the children performed songs and dances. (Always, there are celebrations of language...)

3. Talking Friendship Circles: Friends Build Speaking and Listening Skills

Talking Friendship Circles provide a safe environment with maximum opportunity for each child to repeatedly practice speaking and listening.

Talking questions:

• Tell about something you’re good at.
• What’s your favorite kindergarten activity and why?
• What are you wondering about butterflies?
• What was your favorite part of the story?

The rotating circle structure allows half of the class to talk while the other half listens.

• This is a great way for children to review and cement new science concepts.
• Children expand their social skills and have an opportunity to talk to every other child in the classroom.
• Talking develops dendrite connections in the brain.

Organizational Tips:

Form two straight lines of children. Show the first line how to sit in a circle facing out; they become "the inner circle." Then walk the other children over to form "the outer circle," with each child facing one student on the inner circle. The students on the inner circle get to talk for thirty seconds while the outer circle students listen. At the bell, the inner circle rotates (scoots) clockwise one person. They greet their new listening friend and talk again. Rotate four or five times and then switch roles, with the outer circle becoming the talkers and movers. (Thank you kindergarten teacher Kathie Bridges!)

• Children build friendships and develop confidence in speaking to each other.
• Learning increases when children have a chance to talk about new concepts!
• It is helpful for the shyer child to be on the listening side first.

From Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy: High Expectations • Joyful Learning • Proven Strategies by Nellie Edge. (Nellie Edge Resources, Inc., 2011) See our Online Bookstore.

4.Building Reading Stamina: Start with Song Picture Books!

Familiar song picture books with their memorable rhythm and rhyme build English Language skills while simultaneously enhancing basic reading skills: phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and phonics. Perhaps even more important, group singing of well-loved songs builds a culture of success around even our hardest-to-accelerate child. That is why so many of our kindergarten colleagues start the year with “books that sing and rhyme.”

“Kindergarten teachers have always known that kids have to believe they can read before they can actually do it…”
— Regie Routman, from Reading Essentials

To read more see:

• I Can Read and I Choose to Read
• Build a Foundation for Reading Success: Give all Children Books that Sing and Rhyme
• Unique Features of Shared Literacy Experiences with Songs
• Fill Your Library with Books That Sing and Rhyme
• Sing, Sign and Read: Books to Accelerate Spanish and English
• Magical Memory Reading Precedes Guided Reading
• How to Use the Neurological Impress Method
• Photo Essay: Using the Neurological Impress Method
• Reading is Fun Anthology page

Also see ASL  Video Clip: I Love the Mountains
See the Online Bookstore for Nellie Edge Read and Sing Big Books™

Children choose these books again and again for their independent “Read-to-Self Time,” building confidence, stamina, and that joyful feeling of “I can read!”

5. How to Promote Meaningful Parent Involvement

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 that 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 at least the next 13 years!).  Some families may need extra support and encouragement to consider evening and weekend time as an opportunity to invest in their children’s future.
We have added to and updated many of our “Parents as Partners” letters. We hope you will find these useful!

Here are a few articles you may enjoy:

• Meaningful Home Activities
• Family Project: the Story of My Name
• Early Indicators for Successful Kindergartners
• Parents, Thank You for Reading With Your Child
• Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and Acts of Kindness
• Children are Voracious Vocabulary Learners
• Parents as Partners: Talk to Your Child

6. Salem Kindergarten Cadre News

Salem Kindergarten Cadre Professional Development 2011-2012 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. 

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 at info@nellieege.com.

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
See workshop invitation

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, 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.

Thank you for being teachers who honor childhood and reach for excellence in early literacy.

Smiles!
Nellie Edge