Nellie Edge writing-to-read “heart words” allow kindergartners to write heart-connecting sentences such as “I love you…” early in the year and build circles of writing mastery (I see the…, I have a…, I like my…,) so the brain has the memory space for phonics work—to fearlessly encode sounds to print for new words. Here is […]
Drawing Instruction Supports Handwriting Development and Writing Proficiency
Glimpses of kindergarten life with retired teacher Laura Flocker from September through May: An Oregon Model of Excellence (last printed in 2020) This is what we know for sure: Provide explicit, systematic instruction in seeing and drawing like an artist. Introduce children to lines and rich vocabulary the first week of school with crayons and […]
How to Simplify Kindergarten Handwriting Instruction
How to Simplify Kindergarten Handwriting Instruction And Build Stamina and Fluency for Writing Workshop! 1) Intentionally develop fine motor skills and teach pencil grip. Differentiate instruction, recognizing the diverse 4-year range of skill development typical in most kindergartens. Use fingerspelling, games, and guided drawing to build finger dexterity, perceptual motor skills, and focus. All photos […]
Kindergartners Love to Make Stamp and Read Books
Their discovery? “I can read!” Download FREE Anchor Chart: Have it printed on foam board at your favorite print shop Organize for Success with Stamp and Read Books Each of these 16 Wooden Animal Stamps comes with a clear plastic coating, making it easier to keep them clean (made in China). Tip: Consider covering Nellie Edge […]
Do You Want to Dramatically Accelerate Your Kindergartners’ Writing Proficiency?
Fluency with high-frequency “heart word” sentences is your key to success!
15 points of excellence for evaluating your current teaching program
Nellie Edge Online Seminars videos
Includes Preview Videos:
• Multisensory ABC and Phonics Immersion
• Kindergarten-Friendly Handwriting
• Authentic Sight Word Work
Freebies and February Themes of Love and Friendship
Our job as teachers is to create a feeling of belonging in the kindergarten classroom all year long so children will love coming to school and thrive.
Joyful and Systematic Ways to Build Kindergarten Narrative Writing
Overview of a Comprehensive Kindergarten Writing Model Why do we value the Common Core writing standards? All Kindergartners Can Develop Stamina for Personal Narrative We raised our expectations, developed accelerated learning strategies, involved Parents as Partners, gave children crystal-clear learning targets, and became skilled teachers of beginning writing. The result? Learning to write in kindergarten […]
Guest Blogger, Heather Cacak
Hello! My name is Heather Cacak, and I am honored to be a guest blogger on Nellie’s blog. Today’s blog post will focus on what seems like one simple component of the writing workshop time frame, but it’s really how I manage to get my students writing authentically and independently each day.
The Easiest Most Authentic Ways to Build Opinion Writing in Kindergarten
Opinion Writing: W.K.1. Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book (e.g., My favorite book is…).