Weekly Focus - Practical Strategies and Tips

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

September 6, 2023
Kindergarten lessons: Teaching “Thank You” and Developing an Attitude of Gratitude

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

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The Poetry “I Can Read” Notebook Tradition is Treasured by Parents and Children

August 31, 2023

The 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.

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10 Ways to Keep Joy and Social Emotional Learning Alive!

August 28, 2023
How to keep joy alive in the Kindergarten classroom all year long!

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.

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Kindness and Good Behavior Can and Must be Taught

August 22, 2023

Developing 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.

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Welcome Families with a Customizable Monthly Learning Calendar

August 14, 2023

Give 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 […]

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

August 1, 2023
back to school in kindergarten classroom

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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7 Kindergarten Name Writing Tips with Family Practice Book

July 18, 2023
teaching pencil grip

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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Weekly Focus: Ten Tips for Teaching Handwriting Grip

July 5, 2023
teaching pencil grip

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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