Joyful Pathways to Accelerated Literacy
Nellie Edge Blog
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Settling-In Time Sets the Emotional Tone for the Day: Developing Friendship, Responsibility, Self-Motivation, and Collaboration Skills
Read More30 Essential Handwriting Lessons Build Sentence Writing Stamina and Fluency for Writing Workshop Why Is Good Handwriting Important? Updated September 2023 No time for isolated handwriting lessons? Want to build stamina and fluency for writing workshop? This research-based handwriting model is NOT mindlessly tracing over one letter! You will ACTIVELY ENGAGE your students as they […]
Read MoreLearning to Express Gratitude Is a Year-Long Theme: We Sing, Sign, Spell, Express and Write “Thank You.”
Read MoreThe Science of Reading Supports a Comprehensive Approach to Early Literacy. The science of reading supports more than systematic phonics mastery, it includes building vocabulary, comprehension, and oral language fluency. This is especially critical for emergent bilingual students who need more practice using language with Total Emotional Body Response to Language (TEBRL) strategies.
Read MoreOur job as teachers is to create a feeling of belonging and joy so children will love coming to school and thrive as responsible learners and good friends.
Read MoreDeveloping Social Emotional skills, a growth mindset, and love of learning underlie everything we do! Create joyful pathways to accelerated literacy and honor the whole child.
Read MoreGive Families Actionable Resources to Support Literacy Let your monthly calendar be a gentle reminder for families to sing, talk, dance, and read with their children every day. Tell stories Explore nature Memorize and recite rhymes Talk about “kindergarten kindness” Develop social emotional and self-help skills Our work in establishing and supporting meaningful family learning […]
Read MoreWe begin the year with Mother Goose Rhymes to effortlessly give children the rhythm and sounds of the English language and to introduce them to “Just Right: I Can Read!” Little Books which they can use during “Read to Self” Time. Marie Clay’s research reminds us that “Rhymers are readers.” Using classic Mother Goose little books is a research-based approach to simultaneously build phonemic awareness, oral language fluency, reading skills, and delight!
Read MoreFamilies’ first visit to kindergarten is organized, purposeful, and inviting “Sunflower Children” and warm-hearted Katie Nelson welcome each family as they arrive. The environment is carefully prepared to introduce literacy routines and involve Parents as Partners. Children sign in on their first “Name Ticket” with guided help from Mom or Dad. They put their finished […]
Read MoreIt’s early October and kindergarten children are learning the joys of writing for real world purposes. Writing and reading fluency with a growing collection of high-frequency “heart word” sentences is our next important learning target.
Read MoreHelping you involve parents with learning Updated July 2023 I am remembering again how challenging and important it is to teach good name writing from the first days of school. Why not ask “parents to be partners” at spring registration? Our FREE resources may help you! Kindergarten-age students, in classrooms or at home, represent a […]
Read MoreThese quality resources now include lessons, best practices, and authentic kindergarten writing and art samples—and there are more coming!
Read MoreUpdated July 2023 Two of the foundation skills for kindergarten teachers to introduce during the first busy weeks of school are good handwriting grip and efficient name writing. 1. Determine a child’s handedness. Ask parents. Watch the child with manipulative toys. Notice which hand the child uses to pick up crayons or small pencils. Help […]
Read MorePublish Children’s Books and Celebrate Young Authors: This is one of the best things we can do to build an “I can do it” mindset!
Read MoreWe love to search Pinterest for the best kindergarten writing and early learning resources we can find to share with you our Nellie Edge seminar participants and online friends.
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