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Preschool Graduation & Kindergarten Graduation Speech: A Guide to Crafting the Perfect Address
Are you tasked with delivering a preschool or kindergarten graduation speech? The thought might fill you with a mix of excitement and apprehension. After all, these little graduates are embarking on a significant milestone, and your words should reflect the joy, pride, and hope of this momentous occasion. This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to write and deliver a memorable and impactful speech, whether for preschool or kindergarten graduation. We'll cover everything from crafting a compelling narrative to mastering delivery techniques, ensuring your speech resonates with parents, teachers, and most importantly, the graduating class. Get ready to celebrate their achievements with a speech that's both heartfelt and memorable!
Understanding Your Audience: Preschool vs. Kindergarten
Before diving into the writing process, it's crucial to tailor your speech to your specific audience. Preschool and kindergarten graduations, while both significant, celebrate different achievements and developmental stages.
Preschool Graduation Speeches: Focus on the growth and development experienced over the past year. Highlight the social-emotional milestones, such as learning to share, cooperate, and express themselves. Celebrate their newfound independence and burgeoning curiosity. Keep the language simple, engaging, and playful, incorporating anecdotes and playful imagery to capture their attention.
Kindergarten Graduation Speeches: While still focusing on the fun and growth of the year, kindergarten speeches can incorporate a more forward-looking perspective. Acknowledge the transition to "big school" and the exciting adventures that lie ahead. You can highlight the academic progress made, such as learning to read, write, and count, while still maintaining a light and encouraging tone.
Structuring Your Speech: A Framework for Success
A well-structured speech ensures clarity and impact. Here's a suggested framework:
1. The Engaging Opening: Start with a captivating hook – a relevant anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a heartwarming quote. Immediately connect with your audience and establish a positive, celebratory tone.
2. Acknowledging Achievements: This is the heart of your speech. Highlight the significant accomplishments of the graduating class. Use specific examples and anecdotes to personalize the experience. Instead of generic statements, showcase individual successes or collective achievements.
3. Celebrating Growth and Development: Go beyond academics. Acknowledge the social-emotional growth, the development of friendships, and the building of self-confidence. Focus on the important life skills learned, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience.
4. Looking Ahead: Words of Encouragement and Wisdom: Offer words of encouragement and inspiration for the future. Share a message of hope and optimism, empowering the graduates to embrace new challenges and opportunities.
5. The Memorable Conclusion: End with a powerful and uplifting message. Reiterate the significance of their achievements and express your hopes for their future success. Consider a heartfelt closing statement or a call to action.
Crafting Compelling Content: Tips and Techniques
Use Anecdotes: Weave in short, engaging stories about the graduates' experiences. This adds personality and makes the speech more relatable.
Incorporate Humor: Appropriate humor can keep the audience engaged and create a more relaxed atmosphere.
Keep it Concise: Avoid long, rambling sentences. Use clear, simple language that is easy to understand.
Use Positive Language: Focus on the positive aspects of the year and the graduates' accomplishments.
Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your speech several times to ensure a smooth and confident delivery.
Mastering Delivery: Tips for a Successful Presentation
Speak Clearly and Slowly: Enunciate your words and speak at a pace that is easy to understand.
Maintain Eye Contact: Connect with your audience by making eye contact with different individuals throughout the speech.
Use Appropriate Body Language: Use gestures and expressions to enhance your message.
Project Your Voice: Ensure that your voice is loud enough for everyone to hear.
Manage Your Nerves: Practice deep breathing exercises to calm your nerves before the speech.
Sample Speech Outline: "A Journey of Growth and Discovery"
Introduction: Begin with a captivating anecdote about a memorable moment from the school year.
Chapter 1: The Preschool/Kindergarten Year: Highlight key milestones achieved, from learning the alphabet to mastering social skills.
Chapter 2: Individual Achievements: Share individual stories of success, showcasing unique talents and accomplishments.
Chapter 3: Lessons Learned: Emphasize the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and friendship.
Chapter 4: Looking Ahead: Offer words of encouragement and inspiration for the future, emphasizing the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
Conclusion: End with a heartfelt message expressing pride and hope for the graduates’ future.
Preschool Graduation Speech: "Tiny Seeds, Big Dreams" Example
(Introduction) "Remember that first day? Those little hesitant steps into our classroom, filled with wide-eyed wonder and maybe a touch of apprehension? Today, we celebrate the incredible growth these tiny seeds have shown, blossoming into confident, capable young learners!"
(Chapter 1) "From mastering the alphabet to conquering the playground slide, you've tackled challenges with courage and determination. Your artwork adorns our walls, a testament to your vibrant creativity. You learned to share, to cooperate, and to express yourselves with increasing confidence."
(Chapter 2) "(Share specific examples of individual achievements, focusing on both academics and social-emotional skills. For instance, "Little Lily, who was initially shy, now confidently participates in circle time," or "Little Timmy, who struggled with sharing, has become a generous friend.")"
(Chapter 3) "Remember the times you helped each other, solved problems together, and supported one another? These experiences have taught you invaluable lessons about teamwork, resilience, and the importance of friendship."
(Chapter 4) "As you embark on this exciting new adventure, remember the lessons you've learned here. Be brave, be curious, and never stop learning. The world is waiting to be explored!"
(Conclusion) "Congratulations, graduates! We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished. Go forth and shine!"
FAQs
1. How long should a preschool/kindergarten graduation speech be? Aim for 5-7 minutes for preschool and 7-10 minutes for kindergarten.
2. What if I get nervous? Practice your speech thoroughly, and remember to breathe deeply before you begin.
3. How can I make my speech engaging for young children? Use simple language, incorporate humor, and include visual aids if appropriate.
4. Should I include jokes in my speech? Appropriate, age-appropriate humor can be effective.
5. How do I acknowledge individual students without making the speech too long? Focus on a few key examples to represent the class's accomplishments.
6. What should I wear? Dress professionally but comfortably.
7. Should I use a microphone? Check with the event organizer.
8. What if I forget part of my speech? Don't panic! Take a deep breath, pause, and try to regain your composure.
9. How can I make my speech memorable? Use anecdotes, personal touches, and a strong, positive message.
Related Articles:
1. Tips for Choosing the Perfect Graduation Gift for Preschoolers: This article offers guidance on selecting thoughtful and age-appropriate gifts for preschool graduates.
2. Creative Preschool Graduation Party Ideas: Provides inspiration for creating a fun and memorable graduation celebration.
3. Kindergarten Readiness Checklist: Preparing Your Child for Big School: This article helps parents prepare their children for the transition to kindergarten.
4. The Importance of Play in Early Childhood Development: Discusses the crucial role of play in a child’s learning and development.
5. How to Help Your Child Overcome Separation Anxiety at School: Offers practical strategies for addressing separation anxiety in young children.
6. Best Books for Kindergarten Graduates: Recommends age-appropriate books to celebrate this milestone.
7. Preschool Graduation Songs and Rhymes: Provides a selection of songs and rhymes for a preschool graduation ceremony.
8. Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony Etiquette: Offers guidance on proper etiquette for attending a kindergarten graduation ceremony.
9. Crafting a Meaningful Thank You Note for Preschool Teachers: Provides tips on writing heartfelt thank-you notes to preschool teachers.
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Oh, the Places You'll Go! Dr. Seuss, 2013-09-24 Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise Oh, the Places You’ll Go! celebrates all of our special milestones—from graduations to birthdays and beyond! “[A] book that has proved to be popular for graduates of all ages since it was first published.”—The New York Times From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and whimsical illustrations. The inspiring and timeless message encourages readers to find the success that lies within, no matter what challenges they face. A perennial favorite for anyone starting a new phase in their life! |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Teach Smarter Vanessa J. Levin, 2021-06-02 Discover new, practical methods for teaching literacy skills in your early childhood classroom. Has teaching early literacy skills become a stumbling block to getting your preschool students kindergarten ready? Break out of the tired “letter of the week” routine and learn how to transform your lessons with fun and effective techniques. Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers will equip teachers to infuse every aspect of their teaching with exciting hands-on literacy teaching methods that engage students and help them build authentic connections with books, so that 100% of their students will have a strong literacy foundation and will be fully prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond. Respected author Vanessa Levin, veteran early childhood educator and author of the “Pre-K Pages” blog, breaks down the research and translates it into realistic, actionable steps you can take to improve your teaching. Features specific examples of teaching techniques and activities that engage students in hands-on, experiential learning during circle time, centers, and small groups. Offers a simple, four-step system for teaching literacy skills, based on the foundational principles of early literacy teaching Demonstrates how to build your confidence in your ability to get 100% of your students ready for kindergarten, long before the end of the school year Understand the problems with traditional literacy teaching and identify gaps in your current teaching practice with this valuable resource. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: The Berenstain Bears' Graduation Day Mike Berenstain, 2014-04-22 Celebrate graduation day with the Berenstain Bears! It's the end of the school year and Bear Country School is holding a graduation ceremony for all the students. This year, Brother and Sister will get to wear a cap and gown—and get a diploma. But what about Honey Bear? Will she be able to join in on the fun? Read along as the Berenstain Bears learn about the true meaning of the end of the school year. The Berenstain Bears books have been loved by generations, and with well-known characters and beautiful illustrations, this 8x8 picture book is a perfect gift for young graduates. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: The Night Before Kindergarten Graduation Natasha Wing, 2019-04-09 It's time to celebrate kindergarten graduation in Natasha Wing's best-selling series featuring rhyming text in the style of the classic Clement C. Moore holiday poem. Get ready for a major milestone: kindergarten graduation! Of course, there's a lot of preparation the night before as kids prepare for the momentous occasion. This is a great school-year follow-up to The Night Before Kindergarten! |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Edgar Graduates Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, 2020-03 Edgar is preparing for his preschool graduation. He thinks back to when he first started school as an infant. Explore the milestones that Edgar has achieved and discover the possibilities that the future may hold: from diapers to diplomas-- |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout Rick Rigsby, 2019-02-05 A USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal bestseller! Learn how to live a life of character and integrity—by following the simple advice of a third grade dropout. Be inspired by the book behind Dr. Rick Rigsby’s viral graduation speech. After his wife died, Rick Rigsby was ready to give up. The bare minimum was good enough. Rigsby was content to go through the motions, living out his life as a shell of himself. But then he remembered the lessons his father taught him years before— incredibly simple, yet incredibly profound. These lessons weren’t about advanced mathematics or the secrets of the stock market. They were quite straightforward, in fact, as Rigsby’s father never made it through third grade. But if this man’s instructions were powerful enough to inspire one of his children to earn a Ph.D. and another to become a judge—imagine what they can do for you. While Rick Rigsby’s father was a third-grade dropout, he was a man who never hid behind any excuse. A man who never allowed his problems or lack of a formal education to determine his present or affect his future. A man who realized that destiny was a choice and not a chance. In Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout, Rigsby shares the simple lessons from his father that will transform your mindset, including: Remain true to yourself Think the best at all times Give your best regardless of the circumstances Keep standing no matter what Join Rigsby as he dusts off time-tested beliefs and shares his father’s impactful, far-reaching story—of how a life can be enhanced, of how a corporate culture can be changed, of how a family can be united—by living the simple lessons of a third-grade dropout. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Ask a Manager Alison Green, 2018-05-01 From the creator of the popular website Ask a Manager and New York’s work-advice columnist comes a witty, practical guide to 200 difficult professional conversations—featuring all-new advice! There’s a reason Alison Green has been called “the Dear Abby of the work world.” Ten years as a workplace-advice columnist have taught her that people avoid awkward conversations in the office because they simply don’t know what to say. Thankfully, Green does—and in this incredibly helpful book, she tackles the tough discussions you may need to have during your career. You’ll learn what to say when • coworkers push their work on you—then take credit for it • you accidentally trash-talk someone in an email then hit “reply all” • you’re being micromanaged—or not being managed at all • you catch a colleague in a lie • your boss seems unhappy with your work • your cubemate’s loud speakerphone is making you homicidal • you got drunk at the holiday party Praise for Ask a Manager “A must-read for anyone who works . . . [Alison Green’s] advice boils down to the idea that you should be professional (even when others are not) and that communicating in a straightforward manner with candor and kindness will get you far, no matter where you work.”—Booklist (starred review) “The author’s friendly, warm, no-nonsense writing is a pleasure to read, and her advice can be widely applied to relationships in all areas of readers’ lives. Ideal for anyone new to the job market or new to management, or anyone hoping to improve their work experience.”—Library Journal (starred review) “I am a huge fan of Alison Green’s Ask a Manager column. This book is even better. It teaches us how to deal with many of the most vexing big and little problems in our workplaces—and to do so with grace, confidence, and a sense of humor.”—Robert Sutton, Stanford professor and author of The No Asshole Rule and The Asshole Survival Guide “Ask a Manager is the ultimate playbook for navigating the traditional workforce in a diplomatic but firm way.”—Erin Lowry, author of Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Graduation Groove Kathryn Heling, Deborah Hembrook, 2021-03-02 Got the graduation groove in my kindergarten feet.I'm zipping up my gown to a first-grade beat. Graduate from kindergarten in style, dancing all the way to first grade! It's time to graduate from kindergarten! This book celebrates all of the things that make kindergarten great. From classmates to projects, teachers to pets, kindergarten is full of amazing experiences. Graduating from kindergarten and starting first grade is an important milestone in every kid's life. Whether you're excited or nervous, this book is perfect for your special day and will help you dance to first grade! |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: You Can Do Anything George Anders, 2017-08-08 In a tech-dominated world, the most needed degrees are the most surprising: the liberal arts. Did you take the right classes in college? Will your major help you get the right job offers? For more than a decade, the national spotlight has focused on science and engineering as the only reliable choice for finding a successful post-grad career. Our destinies have been reduced to a caricature: learn to write computer code or end up behind a counter, pouring coffee. Quietly, though, a different path to success has been taking shape. In You Can Do Anything, George Anders explains the remarkable power of a liberal arts education - and the ways it can open the door to thousands of cutting-edge jobs every week. The key insight: curiosity, creativity, and empathy aren't unruly traits that must be reined in. You can be yourself, as an English major, and thrive in sales. You can segue from anthropology into the booming new field of user research; from classics into management consulting, and from philosophy into high-stakes investing. At any stage of your career, you can bring a humanist's grace to our rapidly evolving high-tech future. And if you know how to attack the job market, your opportunities will be vast. In this book, you will learn why resume-writing is fading in importance and why telling your story is taking its place. You will learn how to create jobs that don't exist yet, and to translate your campus achievements into a new style of expression that will make employers' eyes light up. You will discover why people who start in eccentric first jobs - and then make their own luck - so often race ahead of peers whose post-college hunt focuses only on security and starting pay. You will be ready for anything. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: The Ninjabread Man C. J. Leigh, 2016-09-27 The ninja animals try to outsmart him, but the Ninjabread Man is one tough cookie! Try, try, as best as you can,you can't beat me,I'm the Ninjabread Man!In this fun spinoff of the classic Gingerbread Man story, Sensei makes an age-old recipe for ninjabread. But the cookie escapes from the oven and runs loose!Can the Ninjabread Man trick Ninja Bear, Ninja Snake, Ninja Mouse, and Ninja Fox? In the end, the clever Ninja Fox outsmarts the Ninjabread Man.This action-packed ninja adventure features a wise sensei, adorable ninja animals, and one hard-to-catch cookie -- all brought to life by award-winning Dinotrux illustrator Chris Gall! |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Hey Black Child Useni Eugene Perkins, 2017-11-14 Six-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and four-time Caldecott Honor recipient Bryan Collier brings this classic, inspirational poem to life, written by poet Useni Eugene Perkins. Hey black child, Do you know who you are? Who really are?Do you know you can be What you want to be If you try to be What you can be? This lyrical, empowering poem celebrates black children and seeks to inspire all young people to dream big and achieve their goals. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Mamaleh Knows Best Marjorie Ingall, 2016-08-30 We all know the stereotype of the Jewish mother: Hectoring, guilt-inducing, clingy as a limpet. In Mamaleh Knows Best, Tablet Magazine columnist Marjorie Ingall smashes this tired trope with a hammer. Blending personal anecdotes, humor, historical texts, and scientific research, Ingall shares Jewish secrets for raising self-sufficient, ethical, and accomplished children. She offers abundant examples showing how Jewish mothers have nurtured their children’s independence, fostered discipline, urged a healthy distrust of authority, consciously cultivated geekiness and kindness, stressed education, and maintained a sense of humor. These time-tested strategies have proven successful in a wide variety of settings and fields over the vast span of history. But you don't have to be Jewish to cultivate the same qualities in your own children. Ingall will make you think, she will make you laugh, and she will make you a better parent. You might not produce a Nobel Prize winner (or hey, you might), but you'll definitely get a great human being. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: The Night Before Kindergarten Natasha Wing, 2001-07-09 It's the first day of school! Join the kids as they prepare for kindergarten, packing school supplies, posing for pictures, and the hardest part of all—saying good-bye to Mom and Dad. But maybe it won't be so hard once they discover just how much fun kindergarten really is! Colorful illustrations illuminate this uplifting takeoff on the classic Clement C. Moore Christmas poem. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children National Research Council, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences, Committee on the Prevention of Reading Difficulties in Young Children, 1998-07-22 While most children learn to read fairly well, there remain many young Americans whose futures are imperiled because they do not read well enough to meet the demands of our competitive, technology-driven society. This book explores the problem within the context of social, historical, cultural, and biological factors. Recommendations address the identification of groups of children at risk, effective instruction for the preschool and early grades, effective approaches to dialects and bilingualism, the importance of these findings for the professional development of teachers, and gaps that remain in our understanding of how children learn to read. Implications for parents, teachers, schools, communities, the media, and government at all levels are discussed. The book examines the epidemiology of reading problems and introduces the concepts used by experts in the field. In a clear and readable narrative, word identification, comprehension, and other processes in normal reading development are discussed. Against the background of normal progress, Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children examines factors that put children at risk of poor reading. It explores in detail how literacy can be fostered from birth through kindergarten and the primary grades, including evaluation of philosophies, systems, and materials commonly used to teach reading. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Wherever You Go Pat Zietlow Miller, 2014-07-15 An inspiring celebration of life and new experiences--perfect for graduations and fans of Oh, the Places You'll Go! Roads give you chances to seek and explore. Want an adventure? Just open your door. Join an adventurous rabbit and his animal friends as they journey over steep mountain peaks, through bustling cityscapes, and down long, winding roads to discover the magical worlds that await them just outside their doors. Award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller's lilting rhyme and bestselling illustrator Eliza Wheeler's enchanting, lush landscapes celebrate the possibilities that lie beyond the next bend in the road--the same road that will always lead you home again. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: The Shooting Star Shivya Nath, 2018-09-14 Shivya Nath quit her corporate job at age twenty-three to travel the world. She gave up her home and the need for a permanent address, sold most of her possessions and embarked on a nomadic journey that has taken her everywhere from remote Himalayan villages to the Amazon rainforests of Ecuador. Along the way, she lived with an indigenous Mayan community in Guatemala, hiked alone in the Ecuadorian Andes, got mugged in Costa Rica, swam across the border from Costa Rica to Panama, slept under a meteor shower in the cracked salt desert of Gujarat and learnt to conquer her deepest fears. With its vivid descriptions, cinematic landscapes, moving encounters and uplifting adventures, The Shooting Star is a travel memoir that maps not just the world but the human spirit. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl Barbara Park, 2004 ABOUT THE SERIES Meet Junie B. Jones, the lovable, mischievous kindergartener and star of this hysterical series by Barbara Park. Follow Junie B. from her first day of kindergarten to her last as she gets into one scrape after another. Readers will laugh along with Junie B. and her friends in Room Nine, as she attempts to escape 'punishment' from her teacher, and drives her parents to distraction! ABOUT THE BOOK It's kindergarten graduation! All the children in Room Nine are excited when they get their bright white graduation gowns. Mrs. says to keep them in their boxes until the big day. But Junie B. Jones can't help herself. Then- uh- oh- an accident happens! Can Junie B. find a way to fix things? Or will graduation be a spotty dotty disaster? |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: A House for Hermit Crab Eric Carle, 1997 A hermit crab who has outgrown his old shell moves into a new one, which he decorates and enhances with the various sea creatures he meets in his travels. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Princess Truly in I Am Truly Kelly Greenawalt, 2017-08-29 Dream big with Princess Truly, an adorable new diverse character who knows she can be anything she wants to be! One of Essence Magazine's Best Books of 2017 Princess Truly is strong and confident, beautiful and brave, bright and brilliant. She can do anything she sets her mind to...I can fly to the moonAnd dance on the stars.I can tame wild lions...And race fast cars.Brimming with warmth and color, Princess Truly's rhythmic rhyming adventures are a celebration of individuality, girl power, and diversity. A perfect graduation gift, this heartfelt story is a reminder to young girls everywhere that they can achieve anything if they put their minds to it...and dream big! |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: The Last Lecture Randy Pausch, Jeffrey Zaslow, 2010 The author, a computer science professor diagnosed with terminal cancer, explores his life, the lessons that he has learned, how he has worked to achieve his childhood dreams, and the effect of his diagnosis on him and his family. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Grown and Flown Lisa Heffernan, Mary Dell Harrington, 2019-09-03 PARENTING NEVER ENDS. From the founders of the #1 site for parents of teens and young adults comes an essential guide for building strong relationships with your teens and preparing them to successfully launch into adulthood The high school and college years: an extended roller coaster of academics, friends, first loves, first break-ups, driver’s ed, jobs, and everything in between. Kids are constantly changing and how we parent them must change, too. But how do we stay close as a family as our lives move apart? Enter the co-founders of Grown and Flown, Lisa Heffernan and Mary Dell Harrington. In the midst of guiding their own kids through this transition, they launched what has become the largest website and online community for parents of fifteen to twenty-five year olds. Now they’ve compiled new takeaways and fresh insights from all that they’ve learned into this handy, must-have guide. Grown and Flown is a one-stop resource for parenting teenagers, leading up to—and through—high school and those first years of independence. It covers everything from the monumental (how to let your kids go) to the mundane (how to shop for a dorm room). Organized by topic—such as academics, anxiety and mental health, college life—it features a combination of stories, advice from professionals, and practical sidebars. Consider this your parenting lifeline: an easy-to-use manual that offers support and perspective. Grown and Flown is required reading for anyone looking to raise an adult with whom you have an enduring, profound connection. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: I Can Be Anything! Don't Tell Me I Can't Diane Dillon, 2018-02-27 Girl power! Two-time Caldecott Medalist Diane Dillon sends tigers and dinosaurs leaping off the pages as 5-year-old Zoe declares she can be anything: an archaeologist, vet, U.S. president, and more. Like most girls and boys, Zoe enthusiastically embraces the wonders of our world and its infinite possibilities. I can be anything I want to be! she tells us, presenting herself in a range of careers. But what if you fail? asks a voice of doubt that attempts to undermine her confidence.Bold and sassy, Zoe swats the voice away at every turn, declaring her certainty with a charisma that will encourage us all to silence the fears projected onto us by our world. Why can't a girl grow up to be President? Zoe can! When the voice of doubt continues, Zoe knows exactly what to say: Go away, voice... I can be anything... but first, I have to learn to read. And don't tell me I can't! Award-winner Diane Dillon has created a winning character who defies anything to hold her back from achieving her goals. And the key to Zoe's future success begins when Zoe defiantly opens her book, making it clear that both confidence and reading are tools we all need to make our dreams come true. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: The Transition to Kindergarten Robert C. Pianta, Martha J. Cox, 1999 Today's kindergarten is the onset of formal schooling for children--the first time families, schools, teachers, and communities come together to form an educational partnership. In this thought-provoking, issues-focused book, the experts explore the research on early schooling and give you a starting point with which to reexamine your beliefs, policies, and practices regarding the first years of school. Scholars, researchers, and other professionals will discover why early school transitions need to be improved and how these critical transitions affect children's future educational success. You'll learn about readiness assessment entrance ages grade retention classroom structure family-school-community partnerships cultural diversity children with disabilities children in poverty This book is part of a series edited by Donald B. Bailey, Jr., Ph.D., and developed in conjunction with the National Center for Early Development and Learning (NCEDL). Visit NCEDL's website for information on the center's research, upcoming meetings, and free online publications.. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Duck! Rabbit! Amy Krouse Rosenthal, 2010-07-01 From the award-winning author of Little Pea, Little Hoot, and Little Oink comes a clever take on the age-old optical illusion: is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it! Readers will find more than just Amy Krouse Rosenthal's signature humor herethere's also a subtle lesson for kids who don't know when to let go of an argument. A smart, simple story that will make readers of all ages eager to take a side, Duck! Rabbit! makes it easy to agree on one thing—reading it again! |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Surrender Peter Learn, 2011 Surrender is a wacky tale about a defunct school mascot, Chester the Beaver, and how he comes back to haunt the school principal responsible for his demise. It is a witty and outrageously funny book, abounding in linguistic pyrotechnics and saturated with literary and pop cultural references. But underneath the comic surface of the story are deep questions concerning the nature of free will. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 National Research Council, Institute of Medicine, Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Committee on the Science of Children Birth to Age 8: Deepening and Broadening the Foundation for Success, 2015-07-23 Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Congratulations, by the Way George Saunders, 2014-01-01 An inspiring message from the inaugural Folio Prize winner, George Saunders, one of today's most influential and original writers |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: The Night Before Preschool Natasha Wing, 2011-05-12 It's the night before preschool, and a little boy named Billy is so nervous he can't fall asleep. The friends he makes the next day at school give him a reason not to sleep the next night, either: he's too excited about going back! The book's simple rhyming text and sweet illustrations will soothe any child's fears about the first day of school. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Sometimes You Win--Sometimes You Learn John C. Maxwell, 2013-10-08 #1 New York Times bestselling author John C. Maxwell believes that any setback, whether professional or personal, can be turned into a step forward when you possess the right tools to turn a loss into a gain. Drawing on nearly fifty years of leadership experience, Dr. Maxwell provides a roadmap for winning by examining the eleven elements that constitute the DNA of learners who succeed in the face of problems, failure, and losses. 1. Humility - The Spirit of Learning 2. Reality - The Foundation of Learning 3. Responsibility - The First Step of Learning 4. Improvement - The Focus of Learning 5. Hope - The Motivation of Learning 6. Teachability - The Pathway of Learning 7. Adversity - The Catalyst of Learning 8. Problems - The Opportunities of Learning9. Bad Experiences - The Perspective for Learning10. Change - The Price of Learning 11. Maturity - The Value of Learning Learning is not easy during down times, it takes discipline to do the right thing when something goes wrong. As John Maxwell often points out--experience isn't the best teacher; evaluated experience is. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Lincoln in the Bardo George Saunders, 2017-02-14 #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE The “devastatingly moving” (People) first novel from the author of Tenth of December: a moving and original father-son story featuring none other than Abraham Lincoln, as well as an unforgettable cast of supporting characters, living and dead, historical and invented One of The New York Times’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Century • One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years • One of Paste’s Best Novels of the Decade Named One of the Ten Best Books of the Year by The Washington Post, USA Today, and Maureen Corrigan, NPR • One of Time’s Ten Best Novels of the Year • A New York Times Notable Book • One of O: The Oprah Magazine’s Best Books of the Year February 1862. The Civil War is less than one year old. The fighting has begun in earnest, and the nation has begun to realize it is in for a long, bloody struggle. Meanwhile, President Lincoln’s beloved eleven-year-old son, Willie, lies upstairs in the White House, gravely ill. In a matter of days, despite predictions of a recovery, Willie dies and is laid to rest in a Georgetown cemetery. “My poor boy, he was too good for this earth,” the president says at the time. “God has called him home.” Newspapers report that a grief-stricken Lincoln returns, alone, to the crypt several times to hold his boy’s body. From that seed of historical truth, George Saunders spins an unforgettable story of familial love and loss that breaks free of its realistic, historical framework into a supernatural realm both hilarious and terrifying. Willie Lincoln finds himself in a strange purgatory where ghosts mingle, gripe, commiserate, quarrel, and enact bizarre acts of penance. Within this transitional state—called, in the Tibetan tradition, the bardo—a monumental struggle erupts over young Willie’s soul. Lincoln in the Bardo is an astonishing feat of imagination and a bold step forward from one of the most important and influential writers of his generation. Formally daring, generous in spirit, deeply concerned with matters of the heart, it is a testament to fiction’s ability to speak honestly and powerfully to the things that really matter to us. Saunders has invented a thrilling new form that deploys a kaleidoscopic, theatrical panorama of voices to ask a timeless, profound question: How do we live and love when we know that everything we love must end? “A luminous feat of generosity and humanism.”—Colson Whitehead, The New York Times Book Review “A masterpiece.”—Zadie Smith |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: I Knew You Could! Craig Dorfman, 2003-03-24 Celebrate graduation and achievements big or small with The Little Engine That Could! The determined Little Blue Engine is back, bringing inspiring and enlightening words of wisdom to graduates of all ages as they make the transition from one phase of life to the next. I Knew You Could! provides familiar comfort in changing times and serves as a wonderful gift that will be treasured for years to come. Readers will revisit the story again and again as they move forward along life's path. From I think I can to I knew I could, The Little Engine That Could helps kids of all ages realize that anything is possible if you just put your mind to it! |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Parent on Purpose Amy Carney, 2018-10-10 Amy Carney talks straight about the problems parents face when it comes to raising a child in today's complicated world and then shares practical advice, solutions and strategies on how to better connect family values with your behaviors, attitudes, and decisions while simultaneously preparing your son or daughter for adulthood. In this book, you'll learn how to better: LEAD: Embrace your parental authority. LOVE: Cultivate a strong and connected family culture. LAUNCH: Prepare your child for adulthood--Amazon.com. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Teaching Music to Students with Differences and Disabilities ALICE M.. HOURIGAN HAMMEL (RYAN M.), Graduate Faculty Alice M Hammel, Ryan M Hourigan, 2024-10-22 The latest edition of the landmark text Teaching Music to Students with Differences and Disabilities: A Label-Free Approach--designed for music education faculty, in-service music administrators, in-service music teachers, and preservice music teachers--offers a comprehensive manual and reference guide that introduces those in the field of music education to best practices when teaching music to students with differences and disabilities. Acclaimed pedagogues and clinicians Alice Hammel and Ryan Hourigan addresses a variety of topics such as research-based strategies for methods courses, practical approaches for in-service music educators, and professional development grounded in research, special education law, and best practice. Like previous editions, a core focus this book is that a student with differences and disabilities is an individual who deserves a music education that is free of labels. This philosophical premise of a label-free approach is centered in the preservation of the individual personhood of each student. Through this approach, music educators will be able to gain and advocate for support, understand their rights and responsibilities, and offer an affective and effective music education for students with and without disabilities. This includes learning strategies for effective collaboration with special educators, teacher educators, and classroom teachers. The authors also include curriculum development ideas, lesson plan strategies, observation strategies (methods classroom), and practical ideas (methods classroom). |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, 2013 Helps students understand how culture impacts development in adolescence and emerging adulthood. Grounded in a global cultural perspective (within and outside of the US), this text enriches the discussion with historical context and an interdisciplinary approach, including studies from fields such as anthropology and sociology, in addition to the compelling psychological research on adolescent development. This book also takes into account the period of emerging adulthood (ages 18-25), a term coined by the author, and an area of study for which Arnett is a leading expert. Arnett continues the fifth edition with new and updated studies, both U.S. and international. With Pearson's MyDevelopmentLab Video Series and Powerpoints embedded with video, students can experience a true cross-cultural experience. A better teaching and learning experience This program will provide a better teaching and learning experience-- for you and your students. Here's how: Personalize Learning - The new MyDevelopmentLab delivers proven results in helping students succeed, provides engaging experiences that personalize learning, and comes from a trusted partner with educational expertise and a deep commitment to helping students and instructors achieve their goals. Improve Critical Thinking - Students learn to think critically about the influence of culture on development with pedagogical features such as Culture Focus boxes and Historical Focus boxes. Engage Students - Arnett engages students with cross cultural research and examples throughout. MyVirtualTeen, an interactive simulation, allows students to apply the concepts they are learning to their own virtual teen. Explore Research - Research Focus provides students with a firm grasp of various research methods and helps them see the impact that methods can have on research findings. Support Instructors - This program provides instructors with unbeatable resources, including video embedded PowerPoints and the new MyDevelopmentLab that includes cross-cultural videos and MyVirtualTeen, an interactive simulation that allows you to raise a child from birth to age 18. An easy to use Instructor's Manual, a robust test bank, and an online test generator (MyTest) are also available. All of these materials may be packaged with the text upon request. Note: MyDevelopmentLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MyDevelopmentLab, please visit: www.mydevelopmentlab.com or you can purchase a ValuePack of the text + MyDevelopmentlab (at no additional cost): ValuePack ISBN-10: 0205911854/ ValuePack ISBN-13: 9780205911851. Click here for a short walkthrough video on MyVirtualTeen! http://www.youtube.com/playlist'list=PL51B144F17A36FF25&feature=plcp |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Graduation Maya Angelou, 1989-09 As is usually the case with most graduation tales, this account focuses on growing up. With greater intensity than ever before, the narrator of the story is confronted with the fact that she is black. A surprising twist to the graduation ceremony helps her see what that fact means to her.--Page 2. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Release My Grip Kami Gilmour, 2017 Saying goodbye to a child as they leave the nest and learn to fly ushers parents into an emotional time of grief, joy and nostalgia. Release My Grip, by popular blogger Kami Gilmour, offers inspiration and practical insight as she reveals the surprising truth she learned while knee-deep in this sacred season of parenthood. Often humorous and always honest and hope-filled, these stories have equipped and encouraged the hearts of millions on the popular SoulFeed blog. In this keepsake book, you'll discover how this time can be fertile ground for deepening your relationship with Jesus. You'll also gain the practical tools you need to help you pause, reflect, and capture the words on your heart during your own unique journey as a parent of a young adult fledgling--from high school graduation through the years that follow. With every chapter of Release My Grip, you'll find: - Compelling reflection questions that draw you into the peace of God's presence and promise, gently shifting your focus from the loss you feel to the richness and hope of a new season that's just beginning. - Relevant Scriptures to ponder--words that reveal God's heart, bringing relief and hope in the midst of wondering and worrying. - Practical challenges that help you adjust to the rhythm of life's new normal and maintain meaningful connection with your young adult child. - Journaling spaces that make it easy to capture your letting-go journey as it unfolds, making this book a treasured keepsake to reflect back upon. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: You Are Not Special David McCullough Jr, 2014-09-11 An inspirational reflection on the way we bring up children that will resonate with all parents. David McCullough, Jr’s high-school graduation address, dubbed You Are Not Special when it went viral on YouTube, was a tonic for parents, students, and educators alike. Now he expands on that speech with wit and a perspective earned from raising four children and teaching high-school students for nearly 30 years. In this humorous and insightful book, McCullough takes a hard look at helicopter parents, questionable educational goals, professional university coaching, electronic distractions, and more — and advocates for a life of passionate engagement. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: Graduation Day Piotr Parda, 2017 In an dilapidated urban school, the children are getting ready for their commencement to the next level. One little girl, bullied and alone, manages to make a positive change in their environment as she prepares to leave. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: The Three Questions graf Leo Tolstoy, 1983 A king visits a hermit to gain answers to three important questions. |
| preschool graduation kindergarten graduation speech: The Substitute Teacher Samson Kamara, 2009-08 Teaching is a dedicated job for people who are interested in molding young lives. But when one is both black and a substitute teacher with an accent, the job becomes very challenging. Teaching is a white color and middle class job. Alpha being black with an accent had a real trip to hell and back because he had a daily shower of humiliations torturous and sometimes disrespectful and overt racist instances. His determination was stretched to the limits of physical and mental endurance in the public school where racism, ethnic cleansing, hatred for people of color and accent exerted their weight like lead. The result was frustration, demotivation and the feeling of hopelessness. This novel is a true story of classroom encounter, but the names, places and scenes are fictitoius. Alpha stayed at the end of the line with all his qualifications and experience while those who came after him, less qualified and experience moved on. But the organization and maintenance of the system was like a sinking old flag ship. |
