When teachers are asked to present work samples of their kids’ writing, we cringe a bit.  We feel like we will be judged on our teaching ability based on the work the children are able to produce.  I’m here to reassure you that, at the beginning of kindergarten, kids are at different levels and THAT IS OK.  There is something in every single one of these work samples that can and should be celebrated.

In this first sample, the writer was telling me a story about hiking with his dad.  He has come so far since the beginning of the school year.  We have moved past the scribbling stage and have moved into story telling.  He has even shown that he knows there needs to be writing on the paper.

This next author loves to draw and write.  She spends her free time perfecting her stories and it shows.  She’s ready to move to the next level of adding detail to her text.

 

I’m always thrilled when kids begin trying to write on their own this early in the year.  This next piece was done without any adult help or prompting.

I wish I could show you the other photos I took of the boy who wrote this next piece.  I have a fabulous picture of him high fiving one of his friends after telling her that he wrote this all by himself.  I have another of him beaming with pride as he held up his book for me to see.  Melt. My. Heart.  This pride and joy is why I love teaching writing.

There are so many great things happening in this next piece of writing.  She has started to label her work, loves to tell stories through pictures, and is getting the idea that speech and text happen in writing, even if she isn’t able to write many letters yet.

You guys, each and every one of these pictures shows AWESOME kindergarten writing.  There is something to celebrate in every piece.  These kids have come so far already and I am so proud of their work.  Don’t be afraid to share your kids’ work samples.  Kids are where they are, and that’s ok.  Writing is a developmental process and the kids will be at different stages.  Celebrate progress, no matter how small, and find the “awesome” in the writer!