The National Kindergarten Alliance Presents...
Monday Morning Magic!
Saturday, April 9, 2005

Our Orange County Public Schools Kindergarten Council had the pleasure of hosting the National Kindergarten Alliance's first EVER mini-conference, "Monday Morning Magic".  It was a magical morning with 4 fabulous breakout sessions.  All who attended gave rave reviews and we hope that NKA will return soon!  The best part was the wonderful support these ladies are providing for Kindergarten teachers EVERYWHERE!!  Each board member is a practicing teacher/administrator and are well aware of the endangered status of true and developmentally appropriate Kindergarten.  It is their mission to empower us to be active in preserving what's best for our children!  If you aren't yet a member of NKA, please visit their website at www.nkateach.org for more information.  I am a proud new member and am excited at all the resources and opportunities this organization offers...  We need a unified front now more than ever, so please join!!

"Hands On"
Zelda Lefrak & Pat Rees-Miller

 

Zelda and Pat presented on using hands-on art experiences while still meeting standards and benchmarks.  Their presentation was wonderfully hands-on as well; we were able to visit 8 centers and get messy, creative, and have fun-all while learning many, many things...  Zelda and Pat proved that A-Art, R-Really, T-Teaches!
(Visit www.ckanet.org for more info on these ladies and for information on purchasing one of their publications on Art in the classroom)
 

 "Making it All Fit"
Liz Blek
 

Liz presented on using integrated thematic units to fit all the standards and benchmarks in while still keeping your program sound and developmentally appropriate.  Her quote:  "You can fit it all in!!!  You really can!"  Liz has been teaching for over 30 years and provided wisdom and humor along with a packet full of great ideas!!
(Liz is the Treasurer for NKA-she will be presenting at the "I Teach K!" Conference in Florida in July.  Her session will be "Classroom Clay Projects:  Apples to Zebras".  Visit www.sde.com for more info)
 
"Making Memories"
Lenne Holland
   

Lenne presented on creating Memory Books and Family Calendars to celebrate your year of learning together.  The children are active participants in the creation of these projects, with each part bring together many benchmarks and objectives in a wonderful keepsake to remember this special time.  Lenne has created several other tools for connecting her home and school families.  She has taught over 30 years and continues to be active in making Kindergarten the best time ever-for children and teachers!
(Lenne is the Minnesota representative for NKA-her website is:)



 		 "Sensational Science"
Penny Warner
   

Penny presented on teaching science with hands-on activities and exploration.  She broke down the areas of science and gave wonderful examples of methods to teach each concept.  She also had ideas for literature to support teaching and introduced us to the "cow magnet" (you'll have to research that on your own for more info!) :)  Her energy and enthusiasm was contagious along with a resource packet full of practical, creative, and fun ideas to turn your classroom into a lab of scientific thinking!
(Penny is the President-Elect of NKA)

 

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