I want to reveal to the homeschool community the best kept secret to kindergarten writing! It’s called writers’ workshop.
I’ve been thinking about this for years, and I’ve come to the conclusion that homeschoolers just don’t know what they’re missing. Most of the writing you find for kindergarten is limited to handwriting exercises, copywork, simple fill-in-the-blank stories, and writing prompts.
While these activities are helpful in teaching letter formation, sentence structure, and basic grammar, do they instill a love for writing in your kindergartener?
Imagine instead if you could teach writing in a way that accomplished all of these things!
The lack of use of writers’ workshop in homeschooling is unfortunate, because this approach helps children develop writing skills and cultivate a love for writing from an early age.
I’m passionate about spreading the news about writers’ workshop to help change that!
Why Writers’ Workshop Isn’t Being Used by More Homeschoolers
Why isn’t writers’ workshop being used by more homeschoolers? It boils down to the following reasons:
- unfamiliarity with writers’ workshop approach
- skepticism as to its effectiveness based on misconceptions
- ignorance of current research on teaching writing
- inexperience or lack of confidence to teach writing
- writing instruction is not a primary focus in kindergarten
Unfamiliarity with writers’ workshop approach
Writers’ workshop is unfamiliar to homeschoolers because it’s not a curriculum you can buy from any publisher. It’s a philosophy of teaching writing where the teacher coaches children in their writing development through the writing process.
In writers’ workshop the focus is on the writer, not a particular writing piece. You identify what skills your child needs by assessing her writing and then teaching those skills specifically.
Kids write often during writers’ workshop to practice writing and help develop a writing habit. We know that when kids read more, they become better readers. The same is true for writing. The more they write, the better they get.
Another characteristic of writers’ workshop is choice. Letting kids make their own writing decisions about topic, genre, and process is important in cultivating a love for writing. It shows children that we trust them and their abilities. They start to see themselves as writers, not just “doing” writing.
There’s a lot of thinking work taking place during writers’ workshop.
Skepticism as to its effectiveness based on misconceptions
Another reason writers’ workshop isn’t common place in homeschool is because parents are skeptical as to its effectiveness. Because writers’ workshop is a relatively new way of teaching writing and is primarily used in public schools today, parents are skeptical.
Many parents are disappointed in the outcomes of our school system, especially in the area of writing. How many times have you heard college professors complaining about the poor writing abilities of their first year students?
Since the public school system is not producing strong writers, we logically conclude that the writing approach currently being used doesn’t work. But, this is a misconception. There are too many factors to consider before making this accusation. In fact, this research shows that writers’ workshop is effective in kindergarten.
Ignorance of current research on teaching writing
Most of us aren’t educational researchers, nor do we keep up to date on the latest research. We buy programs and curriculum without much thought to whether they’re based on best teaching practices. Who has time for educational journals, let alone any interest in reading them? As a result, we’re not aware of what’s really working for kids in writing instruction.
Inexperience or lack of confidence to teach writing
There’s no denying that teaching writing is intimidating. Writing is a complex skill that takes children years to develop.
- How do you know where to start teaching your kindergartener?
- What are the writing skills kids actually need to learn, and in what order do you teach them?
Even trained teachers struggle to teach writing well, so a lack of confidence is normal and expected for homeschoolers who have no experience in teaching writing.
Writing instruction is not a primary focus in kindergarten
Some homeschoolers don’t do much formal work in kindergarten. They keep it low-key with lots of play. If they do include any academics, it’s typically math and phonics activities.
Kindergarten is a time to learn the letters of the alphabet and how to write them, but that’s the extent of writing in the minds of many parents.
Why would you expect kindergarteners to start writers’ workshop when they don’t even know how to read or spell words? It would be counterproductive.
Why Writers’ Workshop Is the Secret to Kindergarten Writing
Writers’ workshop is the secret to kindergarten writing, because it’s a way to teach writing that empowers kids to become competent writers. Because of the positive atmosphere a workshop approach creates, children enjoy the process of writing and develop confidence in themselves.
What I personally love about writers’ workshop is how it connects me to my son. It’s similar to the connection we get through read aloud.
Writers’ workshop involves careful observation of your child’s writing. When I start to think about what every mark on his paper reveals, it’s really exciting. I get a peek into my son’s thoughtful, creative mind.
The strength of writers’ workshop is that you aren’t trying to fit your child into a program. Rather, you design the curriculum around your child.
If you notice that your child doesn’t understand the concept of a sentence, you can teach that in a mini-lesson. Then he can practice writing sentences in his story. You teach with intention.
A child-centered approach tailored to the needs of a child is always most effective.
Another benefit of writers’ workshop, that will make you fall in love with it, is how natural it feels. Writing becomes a routine that you look forward to engaging in with your child. And, since you’re not imposing topics or writing formulas, writing doesn’t feel forced.
Concluding Thoughts
Writing in kindergarten has the potential to be so much more than handwriting exercises. The best kept secret to kindergarten writing is writers’ workshop.
In a nutshell, here are some key words that come to mind to describe writers’ workshop:
- empowering
- child-centered
- connecting
- natural
- exciting
- intentional
My hope is that parents can see the value of this approach. It’s an effective way to teach writing, because it teaches writing skills while also nurturing a love of writing.
Although you may feel inadequate as a teacher of writing, through practice you can learn to successfully use writers’ workshop with your child. I’m excited for any parent who chooses to embark on the writers’ workshop journey. And I’m here to help you on your way.
