Kid writing is an amazing reflection of student understanding of not only their own thoughts, but of letter sounds as well. It is such a natural process. Everyday in my classroom, the first activity of the day is writing in your journal. In my classroom, the children are BOSS of their journal writing – I never tell them what to write about. This is important on several levels:
- First, it gives children a place to express what is important to them and what they love. You get a glimpse into their inner world! What are their interests? Concerns? etc.
- Second, it supports the use of important thinking/cognitive processing that does not otherwise get activated. It is brain smart! It requires the child draw from that which is meaningful to them and then give it form in symbolic terms (drawing, words, complete thoughts, etc).
I think it is important to honor the stage of writing they are currently in and support their self-expression in its current form. Like learning to walk – each stage is important in the process.
- An important tip #1. I never write the “adult” version of their writing on the page. To me, this undermines the process. We are honoring their self-expression. When you re-write their expression – it sends the message their writing is not “correct” or good enough. I find each level of writing to have its own splendor and as you dwell in kid writing – you can truly “get” the written communication it is. It is disrespectful in my opinion to re-write in a child's journal. It is not the place.
- An important tip #2. I feel strongly about this – handwriting and writing are two separate processes in the beginning. Handwriting is the construction of specific line formations. Journal writing is learning how to capture thoughts on a page as words and sentences. A kindergarten student is new to both processes. Keep them separate!!
I do not give the children lined paper for journal writing at anytime during kindergarten (I use lined paper exclusively for handwriting practice). I feel it requires too much thought about the lines and not enough freedom in thinking. I want the children to focus on the sounds and what letters to use.
Thank you for sharing samples of the children’s work. 🙂
ReadWriteSing
I really appreciate how you encourage the children to focus on journaling without perfection. It is a flow of consciousness and they shouldn’t have to worry about spelling….just expressing. Great job!! 🙂
I found this post very educational since my own daughter (granted, she is only 4) is a very reluctant writer. She seems to be intimidated by a clean sheet though – how do you deal with the students who “don’t know what to write about”?
At four years old I think it is helpful to encourage the first stage of drawing. I begin the kindergarten year in journal writing with this focus. After we have established a good drawing practice we begin labeling our pictures. So it is a gradual process. If you research the stages of writing – drawing is first. Begin there.
You are so right on. I just finished the National Writing Project and I am a kindergarten teacher. Plus I just found this site/blog…. love it.
Where,if at all do you write the “grown up way” of their writing? I am new to this proccess. I have not read the book Kid writing. It is on my list. I just observed today in a class that uses Kid writing in Pre-K. I have ordered the book to see what the process there is. But, I LOVE your thoughts on tip #2 and on lined paper. This is exactly how I have always felt. This is also how I have treated writing and handwriting in my class. Thanks for your post!
How do the kids pick what to write about? My students struggle to come with topics they want to write about.
Observe the children as they play and converse during the day. What are they passionate about? What are their concerns? Help guide their thoughts by using open ended questions. They will be writing in no time!