Writing

In Kindergarten, we are focused on four aspects of writing: handwriting, spelling, sentence structure/grammar, and ideas/content.

 Handwriting in the first half of the year is focused on formation of letters. In the second half of the year, we work on sizing and placement of letters on dotted line paper. We continually work to improve neatness with handwriting as the year goes on.

Spelling is learned through building words that use the phonics patterns and high frequency words that students have learned. We encourage students to use words that they haven't learned how to spell as well. In this case, students write the sounds that they hear in these harder words. 

Sentence structure/grammar is first introduced when we are learning to read sentences. We work on writing sentences in the second half of the year once students have a solid base of phonics and high frequency words. At first, we focus on the components of a sentence and growing these sentences through adjectives and details. Focusing on capitalization and punctuation happens toward the end of the year and into first grade.

Ideas/content starts with pictures. We work on drawing/coloring skills at first which enables students to express their ideas right away. We then add labels to the pictures as a stepping stone to writing sentences. In the latter part of the year, we work on different genres of writing including narrative, informative, opinion, and poetry.