This summer, I've spent a lot of time reading for professional development. I focused a lot of this time on writing in Kindergarten. Teaching writing in 3rd grade is quite a bit different, to say the least!
I read In Pictures and In Words by Katie Wood Ray which was the Kindergarten blog book study book of the summer (organized by Dee Dee Wills). Unfortunately, my vacation coincided with the start of the study and this was not my beach reading material of choice. I'm still catching up on all of the wonderful ideas the participating teachers shared.
I also read Talking, Drawing, Writing: Lessons for Our Youngest Writers by Martha Horn and Mary Ellen Giacobbe. This was an excellent book that gave me a lot of insight into the mind of the Kindergarten writer. To make things easier for myself, I typed up a list of all of the lessons they included in the book. They encourage teachers to use these lessons as needed in your own classroom rather than trying to make your classroom fit their prescribed lesson timeline.
In the off chance that anyone could use this, here it is!
What are your best tips for teaching writing in Kindergarten?
I can never see the files, it says I need permission?
ReplyDeleteI think I fixed it now! I forgot to click the "public" button. Let me know if it doesn't work!
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ReplyDeleteOur K teachers have used TDW for the last 4 years and truly view themselves as writing teachers. They were able to jump on to the coattails of 2 experts, Martha Horn and ME Giaccobe, and they took their students with them. For an entire year they met regularly to discuss their teaching as they worked through the TDW book. They embraced the importance of teaching Ks how to draw - "the kids are competent; they know how and don't say, 'I can't '. The teachers have also become more confident in their own drawing!
They understand the value of the storytelling chair and don't rush it. They have improved their assessment tools and have shared them with each other. The booklets have begun earlier in the year and the teachers have seen more and more writing from their Ks at the end of each year. TDW is fantastic! MB - instructional Resource Teacher - Madison, WI
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