Kindergarten - Grade 1 prewriting strategies

Photo by Monica Sedra on Unsplash

In Kindergarten and grade 1, students are heavily dependent on the use images. These can be paired with written words and verbal prompting to assist and model writing strategies for students.

STORY CRITERIA

This story criteria can be used for grades K-1 students. Many students may not be able to recognize and write many words yet, but if you add images and verbal prompting with your steps this can help them on their way. Going through these steps with them can help to get them motivated to write.

            CRITERIA 1: Big Bright and beautiful

            CRITERIA 2: Make a picture that tells a story

            CRITERIA 3: Try some letters you know

            CRITERIA 4: Try some sounds you know

            CRITERIA 5: Take a risk - write an idea

I CAN WRITE!

Sometimes thinking of a topic can be tricky. Use images to give students ideas. Pairing images with words can give students a visual prompt to get their ideas started.

            STEP 1: Explain the purpose of this visual prompt

            STEP 2: Go over what the images and their word prompt represent

            STEP 3: Allow you students to choose a prompt 

            STEP 4: Students create their own story 

WRITING A STORY WITH KID WRITING

It is important to motivate students to grow a love for writing. This can start in kindergarten. The goal is to have your students to have an interest in writing. Meet them when they are at and slowly give them the skills to explore their interests of writing.

            STEP 1: Ask students to create a story with images and words

            STEP 2: Allow students to use kid writing in whichever style they prefer 

            STEP 3: You can discuss the story with each student individually and write the                               story at the bottom of the page to model how to write this story.