Writing by Children: Independent “writing” gives the children the opportunity to write for different reasons and provides insight into the level of each child’s understanding of print concepts. The children begin writing when they first scribble something meaningful to themselves. Once they are able to write letters, they begin to use letters instead of the scribbles because it is more like conventional writing. When the children are able to hear individual sounds in words, they write one or more letters per word based on the sounds in the words. The final stage is conventional writing. Invented spelling allows all children to write independently at their developmental level.
Fine Motor Skills are essential when children are involved in school activities, developing an understanding of the world, and learning how to care for themselves and their environment. These activities are designed to help children strengthen the muscles in their hands and practice hand-eye coordination. As they grow and mature, strength and dexterity develop naturally when they practice fine motor skills such Writing Workshop is an integral component of a balanced literacy program and is a meaningful extension of the monthly theme. Writing Workshop is a teaching technique that invites children to write about ideas, concepts, and discoveries they have made during the unit theme. Writing, in a variety of ways, is an expected daily activity. Children are exposed to the organization and thought required to create a story or write about a favorite topic. Because they are often allowed to choose the topic, children are motivated to create and complete works to read to their classmates. The Writing Workshop format includes story planning, revision, teacher editing, and direct instruction in the mechanics of grammar. In kindergarten, Writing Workshop incorporates writing with children and writing by children.
1. Writing with Children: In kindergarten, writing is designed to be active, engaging, and social. Writing with Children can be an opportunity to integrate phonics and a window into their understanding of it. Daily Writing with Children also helps them understand how reading works. Incorporate the following strategies:
· The Daily Message is an interactive writing experience that includes modeling by the teacher and active participation by the children. This activity can be used as an introductory lesson before the children begin their independent writing. Model the writing process for the children on the board or a large chart. Include the children in the discussion about the process you are going through. This helps the children learn the vocabulary to think about their own writing. Talk about the strategies being used.
Creating Predictable Charts is a time to interact with the children in a shared writing experience. Because they are predictable and repetitious they are multi-level and most children experience success. Ideas come from the monthly theme books, classroom activities, and school events. Predictable Charts can be turned into class books and then placed in the class library for as buttoning, snapping, tweezing, pouring, eating, and turning pages in a book. Organization, coordination, concentration, and independence are also developed while doing these activities and give children a sense of personal satisfaction. After showing children how to use the materials in these activities, demonstrate how to replace them on a tray or other container. Show children where they will be stored in the room. Let them know times during the day when they can choose this work to do independently. Explain that when they are finished with the work it is important for them to put it back ready for the next person to use.
Listening and Speaking is an important part of oral language development. Speaking in front of the class (“Show-n-Tell”) will encourage the children to share information, ideas, sequence events, and add details while communicating clearly in coherent sentences. Learning why listening is important and how to listen carefully and politely is also taught in this authentic setting. See Teacher’s Manual page ____for more information and ideas.
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