Weekly Focus Articles

Nellie Edge Blog

Top Ten Kindergarten YouTube Channels

November 16, 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.

The Best Ways to Talk to K-1 Kids About Their Writing

November 13, 2023

Our language helps build the positive emotional climate where children grow as writers and illustrators and take pride in doing quality work. Our words help build a “growth mindset” so that young children know they can teach their brains anything!

Make Writing Real

November 6, 2023

Updated November 2023 Class Pets Provide Authentic Reasons to Write, Draw, Research, and Make Books in Kindergarten and First Grade ALL photos used with permission from parents and teachers. Charlie the Turtle became a vital part of Katie Nelson’s kindergarten. Mailboxes especially designed for class pets are delightful K-1 writing props! Students love to write […]

Growing Young Writers: I Am an Author Now!

October 31, 2023

Students Enjoy Writing When We Give Them Scaffolding to Build on Success! A simple “heart word” sentence model supports kindergartners in writing their own little book; Authentic word work grows kindergarten writers.

K-1 News Stories: Growing Young Writers

October 16, 2023

News stories give students choice of writing topics. They find their voice and create stories about what is most important in their lives. There are few things more satisfying for a young writer than creating something that reflects their feelings and experiences.

Growing Young Writers with Circles of Mastery

October 4, 2023

It’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.

Settling-In Time Sets the Emotional Tone for the Day

October 1, 2023

Settling-In Time Sets the Emotional Tone for the Day: Developing Friendship, Responsibility, Self-Motivation, and Collaboration Skills

No Time for Isolated Kindergarten Handwriting Lessons?

September 17, 2023

30 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 […]

Kindergarten lessons: Teaching “Thank You” and Developing an Attitude of Gratitude

The Simplest Way to Build a Happy Classroom: Teach Gratitude!

September 6, 2023

Learning to Express Gratitude Is a Year-Long Theme: We Sing, Sign, Spell, Express and Write “Thank You.”

How to keep joy alive in the Kindergarten classroom all year long!

10 Ways to Keep Joy and Social Emotional Learning Alive!

August 28, 2023

Our 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.