Emergent Writing Emergent Writing in the Kindergarten in the Kindergarten

ClassroomClassroom

Emergent Writing Emergent Writing in the Kindergarten in the Kindergarten

ClassroomClassroomBy Becky Alter, Mary McGuireBy Becky Alter, Mary McGuire

and Dawn Olesonand Dawn Oleson20072007

What is Emergent Writing?

*Developmentally appropriate.

*Motivating and exciting.

*A child’s first attempt at writing – scribbling, drawing, random letters or letter-like symbols.

What is “Kid Writing”?*Children write daily.

*Children use phonemic skills they’ve acquired.

*A social activity with children helping each other.

*During conferencing, teachers write the conventional spelling and give individual mini-lessons for writing skills.

•Group sharing and celebrating ALL attempts at writing.

•Children use crayons, markers or pencils.

Our Goals for the Study…

• To gain confidence in our writing instruction for emergent writers.

• To build confidence and independence in kindergarten students as writers.

• To improve phonemic awareness skills.

• To improve sight word recognition.

Resources we found helpful in our study.

Children start their day on a positive note because they are familiar with the daily

writing routine and are able work independently.

Children use daily writing journals to write on the topic of their choice.

Children are required to have three things in each journal entry. The three things are the date stamp, a picture, and kid writing.

Children use invented spelling with thoughtful attention to letter-sound

relationships.

Children put more effort into their kid writing when they are allowed to initiate their own ideas. Their writing becomes

meaningful to them.

Students discuss their ideas and help each other with sounds and letters for their kid

writing.

Kid Writing enhances the reading/writing connection. Students read their self created text.

Kid Writing has an additional benefit for English Language Learners. It builds their

vocabulary and self esteem.

Lincoln 2007-2008 009.jpg• Students share their

drawings and kid writing with the teacher.

• The teacher records “teacher writing” with conventional spellings.

• Teacher administers individual mini-lessons on needed writing skills.

Conferencing

Sharing and Celebration of Journal Writing

• Students share their journal writing with the class.

• Classmates give positive feedback about writing strategies used (left spaces, capital letters, writes top to bottom).

• We celebrate all kid writing attempts.

Personal Benefits to Kid Writing

• Builds personal relationships between teacher and student.

• Builds independence.• Strengthens self-

confidence.• Creates a community

of learners.

More Personal Benefits to Kid Writing

• Opportunity to share personal experiences with each other.

• Preparation for talking to an audience.

• Acquires letter/sound relationships in context.

• Children make connections for writing in other content areas.