Developing Young Authors in TK: Nurturing the Whole Child Through Integrated Approaches to Writing

1. Developing Young Authors in TK:Nurturing the Whole Child Through Integrated Approaches to Writing Elizabeth Magruder Barbara Blakley December 11, 2012 Preschool California – TK Monthly Webinar

2. Agenda • Welcome • Transitional Kindergarten Presentation - “Developing Young Authors in TK: Nurturing the Whole Child Through Integrated Approaches to Writing” – Elizabeth Magruder, Early Childhood Education Consultant and Barbara Blakley, Early Childhood Education Consultant and former TK Teacher • Q&A- Please email all questions to Araceli Sandoval-Gonzalez: asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org • Next Call : January 15, 3:30-4:30pm Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

3. “Children take their very first critical steps toward learning to read and write very early in life.”NAEYC and IRA Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

4. As children experiment with language, they begin to associate sound sequences with words and eventually build auditory and visual symbol systems. Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

5. Children are masters of reading even before they know “how” to read. In addition, children are aware of print and that it coveys a message. Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

6. How Do We Nurture Young Writers? Because children come to school with a diverse range of language experiences, teachers must utilize a variety of approaches and strategies to support and build on what children know. Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

7. Let’s Look at What We Know… Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

8. When I write, this is what is happening… Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

9. Where do we begin?...Our Philosophy Reading and Writing - Never the two shall part Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

10. Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

11. What things do children love to write about? pets interests celebrations weather experiences family favorites helpers The same things they love to talk about!

12. Strategies… • Think Out Loud… Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

13. Strategies… • Modeled Writing… Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

14. Strategies… • Interactive or Shared Writing… Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

15. Opportunities to Practice Journal Writing… Let ideas and thoughts flow Honor any and all attempts Ask questions that engage Pull out the smelly pens!

16. Opportunities to Practice Center-based Writing Provides engaging ways to get the writing going! Pick up & delivery orders Restaurant orders Creating a menu Recipes Writing up the bill

17. Opportunities to Practice Post Office… Letters Envelopes Stamps Pencils Pens Markers Cash register Postal scales Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

18. Opportunities to Practice Document Observations Science Log Record data

19. Opportunities to Practice Space &Location: Provide places to craft the work Office Space Writing Centers Stations Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

20. Opportunities to Practice Provide tools to develop writing skills Support the physical aspects of the process Dough Rolling pins Squeeze balls Stamps Scissors Yarn / bendy sticks Tweezers

21. Making the Connection… When children recognize that by writing they can make real things happen, they feel the power of their words! Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

22. The Power of Their Words… • Making rules • Labeling the Room • Showcasing my name • Making a birthday list • Giving Directions • Creating a “to do” list • Signs and Warnings My writing has a purpose!

23. The Author’s Chair I have a voice. I am valued. I feel safe to share. I am a reader and an author! Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

26. Analyzing Work Samples Use the Language & Literacy Domain and OTHER strands to analyze student writing… • Where on the continuum is the work reflected? • What instructional goals would you create for this student? • Would other students benefit from this goal? • What instructional delivery system(s) will support this/these students best? • How would you follow up? Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

27. Tips for Parents! • Talk with children, engage in conversations! • Read and reread stories with predictable text in home language and English • Encourage children to retell experiences and describe events that are important to them • Provide opportunities for children to draw and print using a variety of tools • Involve them in list making (groceries, to do) • Praise any and all attempts at writing!!!!!!

28. Keys to Consider… Get excited! MODEL! MODEL! MODEL SOME MORE! Write throughout the day – for different reasons! Provide space, materials, opportunities Don’t stress rules: nurture the process Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

29. Remember… • The next time someone wonders why children are… • Pounding dough • Squeezing a ball • Painting on a easel • Using tweezers • Filling an entire page with squiggles of color • Using every marker available • Stamping letter “B” over and over again • Drawing, drawing, drawing, and drawing • Tell them this… • “I am developing young authors!” Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

30. “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.” Maya Angelou As a writer, words are your paint. Use all the colors.” Rhys Alexander “Teach the writer, not the writing.” Lucy Calkins “Writers don’t need to be given formulas; they need to be shown possibilities.” Barry Lane Please email all questions to : asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org