Joyful Pathways to Accelerated Literacy

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Begin Your Kindergarten Year with 10 Memorable Traditions

August 7, 2023

We 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!

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back to school in kindergarten classroom

How to Have the Best Kindergarten Back-to-School Night Ever: Family Scavenger Hunt Step-by-Step

August 1, 2023

Families’ 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 […]

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teaching pencil grip

7 Kindergarten Name Writing Tips with Family Practice Book

July 18, 2023

Helping 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 […]

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12 Favorite Kindergarten FREEBIES on TPT

July 11, 2023

These quality resources now include lessons, best practices, and authentic kindergarten writing and art samples—and there are more coming!

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teaching pencil grip

Weekly Focus: Ten Tips for Teaching Handwriting Grip

July 5, 2023

Updated 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 […]

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Publish Children’s Books and Celebrate Young Authors

June 21, 2023

Publish 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!

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Did You Miss Any of These Nellie Edge End-of-School Year Blogs?

June 12, 2023

 We 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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heart words in kindergarten teacher resources

10 Reasons to Teach Fingerspelling in Kindergarten

June 6, 2023

Fingerspelling helps the brain remember letters and sounds: It becomes the memory hook to ABC/Phonics mastery. Fingerspelling will enhance the effectiveness of any ABC/Phonics program.

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Tips for Making Class Books

May 29, 2023

These quality resources now include lessons, best practices, and authentic kindergarten writing and art samples—and there are more coming!

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Kindergarten Cooks Write “How-To” Books: A Guide to Cooking in the Classroom

 Cooking with Kids in the Classroom and at Home: A Fun, Multisensory Learning Adventure

May 16, 2023

These quality resources now include lessons, best practices, and authentic kindergarten writing and art samples—and there are more coming!

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Glimpses from Joyful Kindergartens

Building End-of-Year Memories

May 2, 2023

Delightful K-1 Celebrations to End Your Year We are responsible for the memories of childhood! Updated from May 10th, 2022 Photos used with permission of parents and educators Children come to school with diverse background experiences. It is the stories we tell, the songs we sing, and the traditions we build that bind the children […]

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How to Close the Reading Achievement Gap over the Summer?

April 16, 2023

10 Tips for Success: Kindergarten Book Lovers Keep Reading All Summer Long! Resources for summer learning! Photos used with permission from parents and educators Powerful kindergarten literacy gains can easily be lost over the summer, especially by our emerging readers and writers who are still building foundational literacy skills. Wise kindergarten teachers have developed strategies […]

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Connect With Families to Multiply Your Teaching Effectiveness: Begin with Spring Registration! with Nellie Edge

Build Family Connections That Multiply Your Teaching Effectiveness All Year Long

April 4, 2023

The Kindergarten Giving Tree: Let Families Know what is on Your Kindergarten Wish List. Scroll down for premade gift tags and/or create an Amazon.com wish list

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Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in Kindergarten

March 27, 2023

Part 1 features miniature 8 MONTHLY collections PLUS Literacy and
Sciencing poems, songs, and rhymes!

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Poetry and Weather Connections

March 14, 2023

“Poetry is a rhythmical piece of writing that leaves the reader feeling that life is a little richer than before, a little more full of wonder, beauty, or just plain delight.” – Eileen Fisher The Earth Is Wet: Celebrate Every Season with Poetry The Earth Is Wet The earth is wet. The sky is gray. […]

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