April Writing Goals

We are writing, writing, writing here in Mrs. Hoffart’s first grade.  Your first grader is becoming more independent and writing better than ever before.

         All of the first graders are now using their “Have-a-go.”  This is an organizer that enables students to try words that are unfamiliar to them then see what they really look like when I write the word correctly for them (or circle their word if it’s already correct . . . and sometimes it is!)  Not only are they feeling more confident in their writing, but they are using words that they’ve never used before.  They know they can just “have-a-go” at those tough words and use them in their writing. 

We are now busy preparing for second grade.  Here is some information that will be invaluable to you as we transition to a new grade and new skills: 

Lucy Calkins, in The Art of Teaching Writing helps us understand developing writers as they look ahead to second grade:  “In kindergarten and first grade, many children convey their meaning more easily through drawing than through print.  Drawing, therefore, can provide supportive scaffolding (support) for the writing.  Because more information is embedded in the pictures than in the print, drawing provides a horizon and leads the child deeper into the writing.  In a sense, our goal is to help children’s writing catch up to their drawings.”

          “By second grade, writing has often surpassed drawing.  Although these children may still find it easier to draw than to write, most find it easier to embed meaning into a written text than into a drawing.  When second graders draw before each new page of writing, the pictures often hold back the written text.”

         I continue to be impressed by the challenges that this class meets. We are truly A GROWING CLASS!  Thanks for your continued support.

*Credit for some content and format given to Bobbi Fisher, Thinking and Learning Together (1995)