Kindergarten Korner: writing

ICE is overrated...and writer's workshop

Friday, February 07, 2014

Okay.....I am OVER this whole season called winter. I love me some snow days but we are on day 11!!!!!!!!! Ugh! We didn't go Monday...went Tuesday with an early release, then got iced in on Tuesday night, and were out Wednesday-Friday. While I LOVE spending time with my little one, I'd rather be doing it by the pool in June. I also miss my kiddos and the nice smooth routine we had (before Christmas).
We did make good use of our 1/2 day on Tuesday. I started Deanna and DeeDee's writer's workshop!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Through-the-Year-Unit-1-Aligned-with-Common-Core-296695

I know I am about oh....5 months late, but our district bought a new reading series this year with a writing component. We were told to follow it "with fidelity". So I did until I realized the writing component completely stinks! I went to my principal and she agreed that I needed to do what I thought was best for my kiddos. So...out goes reading series writing and in goes Writer's Workshop.
I started it a little earlier than this last year and my kiddos LOVED it. Well, we only got 1 day in but Oh.My.Goodness! They loved it and so did I! Here are some examples of their sweet writings.

HOPEFULLY we will be back on Monday! Although they are calling for snow tonight and oh wait! More next week! (Insert sad face.)

1 comment snow day, writing

Writer's Workshop

Monday, November 19, 2012

I have a confession.....I have always thought my "writing program" stunk. Like really stinky. I've never felt like it was one of my strong teaching areas. If I had good writers I contributed it to, they were really bright kiddos and had a good imagination. And really, until a few weeks ago, most of my "writing program' consisted of penmanship and grammar. That was until....I found this:

I swear y'all. This is AWESOME and worth every penny. I am in love. I will admit. I had my reservations. Mainly that it was too late in the year to start this with them, but WOW! I am no longer doing penmanship during writing nor am I telling them what to write about. This unit shares day by day EXACTLY what to do. Now, I'm not usually one to like someone telling me how to teach. I have a serious beef with people telling me what and how to teach and not letting me use my own creativity, however, I need this. I needed someone to tell me how to teach writing and my golly - they do it!!!

We have only done Day 1, 2, and 3 but mercy me. I wanted to cry when day 1 I had to stop them from writing. Yes, you heard me right. I had to tell them writing time was over! They are so eager to share their writing and I am oh.so.proud. So thank you Deanna and Deedee. I will forever be grateful! Here are a few pictures of my kiddos in action.