writer's workshop 12.18 - 12.22

This past week, the Kindergarteners chose one piece of writing to prepare for publication. They used a writing check list to review their writing - taking the necessary steps to finalize their work. Could they read their writing? Could they read their pictures? Did they say what their teaching book was about? Did all of the pages go together? We talked about what it means to publish a piece of writing; to make your writing ready for an audience, or a reader. As part of a community celebration as well as a way to publish the children's work, we invited students from the 1st and 2nd grade to be the audience for the Kindergarten authors - we planned a publishing party!

In the below photographs, Kindergarteners add detail to their illustrations as well as words and labels. Using a letter sheet, children stretch out words and listen for the sounds they hear - writing the corresponding letter. In each child's writing folder is a personal word library, a tool for including sight words in their writing. With support, the children are working on using strategies and tools independently to further support their growth as writers and readers.

 

 

 

Dinosaurs

By - Thelonius

 

 

 


A small sample of children's teaching books;

Zoo Animals

 

Animals I Know

 

 

Queens

In the below photographs, the Kindergarten authors share their teaching books - and knowledge - with the 1st and 2nd graders. When asked how they felt about their work, TW smiled and said, "I feel really, really proud. I want to tell my mom - I just love my mom and feel HAPPY!" The older students provided encouragement as well as constructive feedback - noticing the need for more detail or information, while also recognizing all of the children's hard work.