How Indirect Bullying Directly Affects Children
3/1/2008 10:47:35 PM

Hi Everyone. As many of you know I have been delivering workshops and presentations across Canada and beyond. One of the most requested workshops, besides Kindergarten workshops, has been the ANTI-BULLYING workshop that I give with my daughter Madeleine. I hope you will take the time read the download about the workshop and contact me for more information at josleigh@yahoo.com or joanne@kindergartenconsultant.com
Click on the above word "downloads" to direct you to the info.
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January 2008
1/21/2008 12:06:35 AM

It has been a while since I have written on this page. I have been back and forth to Nashville about 5 times since May. I have another daughter who is a singer/songwriter (many of you know from my last entry that 3 of my four children are singer/songwriters) and the youngest one has been getting a lot of attention in Nashville. I am still working for our local school board, helping beginning teachers. This brings me great joy...it is so wonderful to help out new educators. As you all know by now, my messageboard will cost too much money to make available on line, but I am still always happy to answer any questions and emails that come my way via joanne@kindergartenconsultant.com. I am still looking to find someone who wants to share this site with me. Please contact me personally if this is something that you might want to consider.
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Welcome Back to School
8/13/2007 9:59:43 AM

Just a little hello to wish everyone a wonderful new school year. I know that in the USA many of you have started your new year with your little ones. In Canada, we are all beginning to prep for our September start. Tomorrow I will be meeting all the new teachers for whom I will be the coach this year. I am looking forward to meeting them at the Summer Institute for the Toronto District School Board. The summer has been fun, with two trips to Nashville with one of our children. As many of you know, three of our four kids are singer/songwriters. That what happens when their mom writes crazy little tunes for them when they are little!!! I tell ALL my K teachers how important music is...in the early years.
As you all know, I am always available for answering your questions. Just a quick email away. joanne@kindergartenconsultant.com
Hope to share more ideas this year. The share and tell page has been a long time in the fixing stages (darned ol' spam problems)...and when I get it all sorted out, we can communicate that way again. Best to you all...keep in touch. Hugs from Joanne
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Primary Success Website is great
5/1/2007 2:50:38 PM

If you are looking for some swesome primary ideas, please check this site.
http://www.primarysuccess.ca On this site, Jean Roberts has some fabulous resources that I highly recommend. One of my favourite resources from Jean is the the activity calendar ..it is very creative and impressive. Check the calendar out and order some for next year. I have seen copies and I love them!
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Can anyone help me with this lost story?
1/27/2007 1:06:20 PM

I have always had a little story on a story wheel that I tell about a little duck learning to swim. I think his name is Flippy Floppy. Well, he visits various animals and much to his dismay..they tell him different things to do to swim...but they just don't quite help him...(eg. the horse just says go gallopity gallopity etc.) I have lost my original copy of the story and I am so hoping that someone out there may be able to help me out with a copy of it. (especially if you have seen it at my workshops) It was just on a printed sheet from a binder(from many years ago, I'm afraid) I would be so happy to hear from you if you still have a copy. Thank you.
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Best Books for Kids
1/20/2007 2:17:36 PM

Check out this link today and get some great ideas for books for February. I have signed up to be on their mailing list and I get the email sent every month. You would probably enjoy some of their suggestions of new books. You will have to copy and paste this link from this page.

http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/febpreview.cfm

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KidsSoup.com
1/9/2007 9:54:57 PM

Here is a very cute website for some really sweet ideas that you can use. Enjoy.

http://www.kidsSoup.com
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Puppets
11/18/2006 8:52:44 PM

I am always asked about how I get my puppets and storytelling supplies. Well today, I found the neatest site in England. It is
http://www.debdarling.com You will love the little finger puppets and in fact...ALL the puppets. Take a look!
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Beginning Teachers
11/11/2006 1:11:31 AM

Welcome to the Beginning Teachers in TDSB who visit my site. I am so excited to be one of the coaches for NW6 and SW3 quadrant in this board. I am gradually getting to meet all of you in person and spend some time in your classes. I am thrilled to see the quality of teachers that are entering the profession. Lucky children!!!
Please email me if you wish for me to come into your classrooms. I will continue to call your schools and set up visitation days. If I have already been to your school, please feel free to contact me to visit again. I enjoy being with each and every one of you.
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Living Room Workshops Ahead!!!
10/20/2006 12:00:23 AM

I have been asked by several Kindergarten teachers in Toronto, to give a workshop one Saturday morning. I have not had a "living room" workshop in over a year and I am planning one in November. Keep watching the news page for the date and sign up sheet. Coming soon to a living room near you!!! You can email me now if you want to for sure be on the list for the first workshop. This workshop will include a continental breakfast and a yummy lunch where you can chat with other K teachers!!!
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My favourite Hallowe'en Song
10/8/2006 9:40:33 PM

Everyone always asks me for the words to my very favourite, sweet Hallowe'en Song. Well...here it is...
Here are the words.



You have to tell the class that they are supposed to be absolutely quiet in this song until the last word...and I will give them a signal when it is time to sing the last word.( I put my hand to cup my ear and they say the last word out loud. They LOVE this song...



Don't say boo

C E G

Don't say boo to me

F G F E D

Cause when you do

D G D F

It really frightens me

F E F E D C



Just say hello

C E G

Or say "How do you do?"

E F E F G A

but don't

A G

for goodness sakes

G G G G

Don't say BOO!!!!

G B C

( and on the BOO they LOVE to say it loud and of course, scare me!!!



I have typed the names of the notes on here...so someone might be able to try to play it on a piano or a recorder and try to get the timing to match the words....it is a start...and heck..the kids won't care if the tune is a bit different anyway. Enjoy!!

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Operation Organize!!!
10/7/2006 10:16:09 AM

I just found out about the greatest book for teachers who are trying to organize their primary classes. It is called Beyond An Apple and it is written by Jill Graham (a professional organizer and primary teacher). I love her ideas and so will you. The book is available on my shopping page. Or...just click on http://www.operationorganize.net and it will take you to her website. Happy organizing!
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Need some ideas for books to read?
9/4/2006 2:39:08 PM

Welcome back to school everyone. Wow..the summer went by quickly. I hope that you all had a relaxing and fun vacation and are excited about all the new adventures ahead this year.

I came across this wonderful site that suggests lots of book titles arranged by topics. I think you will keep it as one of your favourites.

http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/september06.cfm
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Happy Summer
7/19/2006 9:42:23 AM

I hope that you are all enjoying a happy summer vacation. I know that in the US, you will be returning to school in just a couple of weeks and in Canada, you will return in September.
I hope that you are using the Share and Tell page for interaction and sharing of ideas. I am busy with my annual summer job looking after the corporate boxes at the Amphitheatre here in town. I love it....it is a bit like the ultimate hall duty!! You can imagine how exciting it is to see all the different performers.
This winter and spring I worked for our superintendent in each of her schools assisting/coaching teachers and I thoroughly enjoyed that position. This fall, I am hired by the board to be a teacher coach for the newly hired staff. (I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work closely with and support these new educators).
I am sorry that these jobs keep me distant from my website, but I still keep it running, because I know that many of you use it and I know that someday, I will have more time to devote to it.
Have a beautiful summer....I will always be peeking in to say hi and answer some of your questions. Til soon, Joanne
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New Links Added
4/24/2006 12:12:16 AM

Just to give you an idea of a few of my latest links that I have found for you ....Check out on my links page
* A great kindergarten site
* Love Two Teach
* Carl's Corner
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Grab a Bag and Go
3/6/2006 10:23:12 PM

Check out this new idea that a teacher in California has created. These are the most exciting homework packets that you can send home with your students. I was really impressed to see a package of them and know that you will also love them. You can write to the creator at
gevans2@sbcglobal.net and tell her that you would like more information or click on my shopping page to hear more about them.
http://www.grababag.com. The link is on the shopping page.
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An interesting new website to check out!
1/20/2006 10:02:30 PM

Check on my links page and go to the site called
http://www.lovetwoteach.com. There are lots of exciting ideas and materials to check out. It is a beautiful site too...so you will have fun seeing it. They even have some great ideas about building your own site. Check it out!
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My Book for K Teachers
1/16/2006 11:48:13 PM

Yes....I am still working on it. I am excited about the day when I can write to all of you and tell you that I am finished and it is ready for publication or purchase. I will hurry...I promise. The chapters are looking exciting! I hope that it will be worth the wait for all of us!
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Sho Mo and the Monkey Bunch...a great new CD
1/9/2006 11:26:44 PM

If any of you are looking for an awesome new CD...it is called ShoMo and the Monkey bunch and I just heard it and love it! I think you will too and so will the kids. This is music that is fun and creative all at the same time. I happen to know that the musicians who play on this CD are brilliant and talented...so the kids are being exposed to great quality music at the same time as having fun! Check it out at their website and have a listen.
http://www.themonkeybunch.com
Tell them you heard about it from Joanne @ kindergartenconsultant and they will probably offer you an organic banana!!!!


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