Our Budding Authors

Our kindergartners are amazing writers!  They are discovering how to be in charge of their own writing by using their creative ideas to get a piece started and then deciding when the work is finished or needs revising.  They have their own writing folders with two pockets.  One pocket has a green dot, and it holds pages that will be worked on again.   The other pocket has a red or orange dot, and it holds pages that the children have decided are finished pieces.

Already this year, the students have written in a variety of ways.  Some of the inspirations have been: writing about something they know a lot about, an experiential piece about our first field trip, a reflection after reading the book, Have You Filled Your Bucket Today?, something they love, being kind and even replicating an author’s writing pattern.

The students take their ideas, stretch out each word, and put down the sounds they hear as they stretch out the words.  This ‘kid writing’ gives the students the opportunity to write freely and without worry about ‘correct’ spelling.  It also informs the teachers of the letters and sounds that may be challenging.

We use the Handwriting Without Tears program to develop letter and number formation.  This program was introduced using the wooden pieces that represent the four lines used to create all upper case letters.  There is a big line, little line, big curve and little curve.  The students created a variety of designs and letters as they used these pieces in an exploratory and rewarding way.  Following the use of the wooden pieces, the children practice ‘Wet,Dry, Try’ before they work in their books.  The program has been greeted with great delight!  At Back to School Night, parents received a copy of the letter/number formation guide that is used in school so that you can support your child’s writing at home.

Encourage writing at home with lots of fun opportunities such as writing shopping lists, letters to friends or family, creating a book or story, or labeling an illustration.  You can work on projects together or simply support the writing that your child likes to do.  Have fun with your budding authors and illustrators!