Writer's Workshop and Spring Stuff

I have started a writers workshop this year...mostly inspired by Mrs. Wills at mrswillskindergarten! She has some of the GREATEST tips!!! I have always done "journal writing", but I knew that journaling was not bringing out the best in my students. So, I took some of the tips that Deedee had posted about on her blog this year about writers workshop and went with it. AND I am SOOOO, SOOOOO happy with the results!!!!

When I did journal writing, the kids would do ONE page a day. I would GIVE them a topic to write about and they had to be finished with that piece by the end of the 20ish minute block of time. Not a great approach for fostering creativity:)

So, I gave everyone a writing folder. They can work on a piece (usually 5 pages and a cover stapled together) for as long as they want. If, at the end of the writing block they are not finished, NO WORRIES!!!! Their work goes in the side of their folder marked with a green sticker so that they can work on it again next time. If they finish a piece, it goes in the side of their folder marked with the red sticker.

This simple change has made all the difference in the world!!!!

Here are a few books my kinders have produced recently:

The author of this story is a medium-high student who is VERY meticulous and works VERY slowly. Something like this NEVER would have been produced through my old journaling method. This kid needs LOTS of time!! That's the beauty of writer's workshop. Now, look at this FAB book he was able to write!!!

Title-Batman and Joker

 Joker is running away from Batman.

 Joker got "caughted" by Batman and now he is inside jail.

 Joker escaped with the bat key and now he is running away from Batman.

 Batman used the Bat mobile to catch Joker.

(Don't you love how Joker is laughing:)

He got caught by Batman again and he was caught forever.

So, you're asking yourself...do all of my kids write like that?! No! I have a class of 25 students with ALL different abilities. Here is another story that I am EXTREMELY proud of!!! This student has made SOOOOO much progress this year!

Title-I Went to Disney World

 I went to Disney World.

 I went on a rollercoaster that went upside down.

 I went on something that went up.

 I stayed by other houses.

I went to Disney Land and it was fun.

Don't you just LOVE Kinder writing?!

How is your writing going?? I'd love to hear if you have any suggestions!

On a different note---

Here are a few Spring-ish things that I just posted in my TPT store. Click on the pics to check them out:

I have had so many people ask me about this experiment-so, I finally posted it:) You can read about the experiment in THIS post.

First 2 people to comment can have these 2 items for FREE:)

Happy Spring!