There's no question it is challenging to get to know writers deeply via Zoom. And yet. . . something is working, because all of my remote kindergartners are writing. They are all making books. And while I might not have an hour each day to be side by side with them in the classroom, there is no question I am finding ways to get to know what kind of writers they are and what they need.
Category: kindergarten
A Very Kindergarten Appropriate Assessment: Writing and Drawing Observations
Instead of an on-demand writing assessment early on in kindergarten this year, I drafted a Writing and Drawing Observation. This is an informal observation of children drawing and writing during their writing workshop time. Observing young children and keeping anecdotal records of their behaviors is a time-tested tradition in early childhood education.
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A Few of My Favorite Things For Distance Learning
It's the end of a memorable Teacher Appreciation Week. In the spirit of appreciation, I'm sharing a few of my favorite things so far during distance learning.
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Kindergarten Forest School: Integrating Writing with Nature and Play
Whether you're looking to begin a Forest School routine, connect children to nature, or integrate writing with play, this post outlines ways to begin.
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From Skin Study to Writing Workshop
After finishing each swirl of her curly hair, Camila circled her paintbrush around and around, forming eyes. For many children, the self-portrait stops here, at the outline. I kneeled next to the young artist, holding a mirror in my hand, and said, “Camila, look at how the colors you are choosing match your hair, your… Continue reading From Skin Study to Writing Workshop
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A Parade of Writers
It's time to celebrate the progress writers have made!
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The Scribble: Worth a Closer Look
It's the beginning of kindergarten, and that means there are lots of scribbles in books. An inquiry mindset can help us decide how to best support writers.
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Fine Motor and Beyond: How To Support Underlying Skills for Writing
What makes the physical and visual process of writing challenging? Read to find out how an occupational therapist collaborated with a classroom teacher to increase participation of all students during writing workshop.
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Writing in Choice Time: Not Just a Center
Writing is not limited to a center choice during play. It is a part of all centers! Read this post to find out how to invite different kinds of writing at the most engaging time of day.
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Supporting Emergent Writers With Spacing
For young children, one of the most challenging parts of writing a sentence is including spaces between words. I've collected a variety of strategies and tools to support writers with this feat.
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Getting Started With Beginning Writers, A Review and Giveaway
In A Teacher’s Guide to Getting Started With Beginning Writers, Katie Wood Ray and Lisa Cleaveland help us think with our beliefs -- in the decisions we make, in the questions we ask, in our actions, in the language we use, and in how we see children. In everything we do, we send a message, and that message should align with our beliefs.
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Words Don’t Make a Writer: Supporting Emergent Writers Who Are Not Yet Writing Words
Are we putting additional stress and pressure on kids to write words? With purpose and joy, kids can go from compliance to engagement and become the kinds of writers who add words as powerful information to their books.
