Kindergarten Sentence Writing in August and September
We start the year off slowly with very simple sentences. In August and September, I usually start with just one sentence for the students to manipulate. They read it over and over with a variety of pointers (which are a BIG deal.) The first week of school we do this activity as a whole group. Simple! We take turns with the pointer. Then at the end of the week, I usually say, “Friends! We have had so much fun with this activity. What if we make this one of our stations?” They always cheer, “YES!”
A few weeks later, I might say, “Hey friends, when you go to this station, let’s write a sentence! Let me show you how.” This is a whole group activity. Simple! However, the product is not always stellar. That’s okay! We have all year to perfect it.
In August and September, the words are hard to read. The illustrations need a bit of interpretation. In my opinion, that is just fine. If we wait for perfection… we will be waiting until January. Nope! We can practice sentence writing and get better NOW!
After a few weeks of this, I might nudge in while a student is doing this station and do a little teaching. I might show them how to make sentence neater. I might show them how to make smart color choices.
Then during our center debrief (a MUST), I might say, “Friends, do you know what I say Kelly doing at the pocket chart station (where I have the sentences)? I say her working REALLY hard to make her letters clear. You know what? That is what writers do and it makes my heart happy. Look at THIS!” Then I show it to them. Oh my MERCY! They ALL want to make my heart happy and we elevate the work. Slowly, but raise the bar… we raise the expectation.
Kindergarten Sentence Writing in October and beyond
Sentence Writing Progression
Around January, I plant another little seed, “Friends, we are getting so good at writing sentences. I want to challenge you to write TWO sentences when you are at the sentence station.”
Kindergarten Sentence Writing Extension Activities
These activities are also part of the Predictable Sentences. Students write and illustrate the sentence.
And we also have emergent readers we write.
Find these activities below
Click on the images to find these activities.
Kindergarten Sentence Writing: Free Sample
I know! I like to try on clothes before I buy them too! Here is a little free sample that you can try on! I know it will be a perfect fit!
Simply add your email to the box below and the file will be sent directly to your inbox! EASY!
Thanks for the idea! I am a second year teacher, still trying to help my kinders to become better writers. Thank you for sharing!
I am a teacher at Phoenix preschool. Instead of suggesting that parents to go somewhere, I'm going to take a stab at being condescending and say to some of the negative reviewers that they should, "be a little introspective and examine your own parenting skills.
I can’t find your sentence wrting on TpT. I’ve tried clicking hte link above and it doesn’t work. Can you send me the link?
So sorry! I think some of my links have been broken when I moved to the new blog format. Here is the link:
Super Sentences
I can’t find your super sentences anywhere on TPT.
Cynthia
Hi there! Here is a link!
” target=”_blank”>Super Sentences
How many students do you have working at this station at one time? If more than one then do they each build the same sentence together? I was wondering if I needed to make more sentence pieces for building so they each could make their own sentence.
Thanks for your help!
Hi there!
I have two students at a station together. Since there are multiple pockets in the chart holder, the students can work together or make their own sentence. I only print one set of cards, though. I hope that helps.
Thanks Deedee,
Yes that does help. I will have 4 at this station, but I will just put two pocket charts back to back and have 2 on each side, so I will run 2 sets of the cards!!! Thanks so much!
Hi Deedee, How long do your students stay at a center? Do they rotate or only do one per day or how many per day? If you have any other blogs on centers and center management, if possible could you link me to some? Thank you SO very much!
Let’s see if this blog post will help you 🙂
Tips for Station Management.
I love the sentence center, but struggle with my ones that cannot read. I saw you have the little booklets for them with the sight words. How do you direct direct the children to do a lower level activity and higher level, when they go to a center. Also, what does it look like? I’ve used numbers, colors… Thank you! Love all your materials and advice!
Hi there!
When students go to the center, they don’t actually do the books. We do those at another time of the day as a whole class. Then they can take them home for extra practice. I did not really tell my students which sentences to do. I just offer the range of sentences and let them pick. I will talk to my students who I want to challenge and ask them to do more. I hope that helps.
I love this! Can I ask, are they different vocab pictures in each bundle or are the all the same? I am thinking of so many ways to use them
Yes! Each month has different themed cards 🙂
Hi there! I was wondering what size pocket chart you are using, and where did you get it from? I love this center and how you have it set-up so that your kiddos can do it independently!
I got it from Amazon!!! Thank you so much!
Here is a link to a pocket chart that is a similar size:
POCKET CHART