Kindergarten Strategies
Revisited before every journal entry/writing activity. Model poster that shows the different kinds of writing Kindergarten children can do such as loopy writing, random letters, words they know, stretching out sounds (see Lori Rog’s Marvelous Minilessons for Teaching Beginning Writing, K-3)
Shared Writing
* Teacher led using students’ ideas
Interactive Writing
* Teacher shares the pen with the students. Students’ ideas are used to build the message. Used to teach all concepts about print. Done at least twice a week. Examples may be lists, letters, messages, responses and “how to”
Message Books
* Teacher dictates a sentence using words that have been presented/shared during interactive/shared writing. Students use markers for recording sounds and words that are heard. All come together after and shared writing is used to build the sentence and the students copy the conventional spelling.
Message Boards
* As a group, students are paired up with a partner. Sentences are read aloud to the students while the students work together to record the words and sounds that are being dedicated by the teacher. Students share the pen and work to hear sounds and use known high-frequency words. They work together and support each other’s efforts.
Writer’s Workshop
* It is a time when students can write for an uninterrupted period of time. Students learn how to write 3 part stories, “how to” books, personal narratives and poetry. Teacher models different writing processes using various mini lessons depending on classroom writing needs.
