What does launching Writing Workshop look like when children have already spent six weeks composing stories? After beginning Kindergarten with Story Workshop, we wanted a launch that built on what children already knew. In this follow-up post, I share how we adapted familiar lessons, connected phonics learning to writing, and planned next steps that honored children’s ideas, risk-taking, and voices.
Category: foundational skills
Connecting Caregivers: The Importance of Motor Skills on Written Expression
This post focuses on the importance of motor skills for written expression, with specific ideas and strategies for both at home and at school. It also includes a communication that you can personalize and use for sharing these ideas with the families in your own communities.
Share this:
Share this:
Building the Oral Language Foundation for Kindergarten Writing
Oral language is a foundational skill for writing. Learn simple strategies to boost oral language throughout the Kindergarten day.
Share this:
Share this:
From Practice to Transfer
Foundational skills like handwriting, high-frequency words, spelling, grammar, and punctuation need more than isolated practice, they need to make their way into students’ independent writing. Read to learn more about how we can explicitly teach these skills, create opportunities for transfer, and use what we notice in students’ writing to determine what comes next.
Share this:
Share this:
When Writing Progress is a Concern: Talking With Parents
When a child struggles with writing, parents often worry about what it means. Thoughtful conversations grounded in empathy, observation, and an understanding of writing development can turn those worries into productive partnerships.
Share this:
Share this:
Teaching Self-Advocacy Writing Through Multiple Literacies
Move writing from a school task to a meaningful way for students to participate in the world. A starting guide of minilessons is included for multiple literacies, ideal for grades 3-8.
Share this:
Share this:
Visual-Motor Integration for the Win
Visual-motor integration is a critical component of successful handwriting, and ultimately, successful writers. Build it during any chance you have.
Share this:
Share this:
Foundational Skills for Writing: Book Review and Giveaway
If you're stuck figuring out how to support writers' foundational skills or simply want to grow your teaching knowledge and expertise, Melanie Meehan and Maggie Beattie Roberts' new book, Foundational Skills for Writing, is a must-have resource.
Share this:
Share this:
Morphology in Minutes: Ready-to-Go Tip
Morphology doesn’t require lengthy lessons. A few intentional minutes can transform how students see and use words. These easy, ready-to-use ideas and linked activites will help you bring morphology to life in any classroom K-8.
Share this:
Share this:
From Memory to Mastery
Writing is a brain-based process that relies on practice, rest, and retrieval to move skills from effortful to automatic. When teachers use simple, consistent strategies, they help students free up brainpower for creativity and deeper expression.
Share this:
Share this:
Teaching Kids to Use the Phonics You’ve Taught
This post can be a jumping off point for learning more about how explicit phonics instruction can be connected to a joyful independent writing workshop for young children
Share this:
Share this:
Favorite Ways to Teach Foundational Skills in the Primary Grades: Expanding the Reach with Small-Group Work Blog Series
This post covers the how, the why, and the what of introducing stations or centers to support small group work on foundational skills in the primary grades.
