Updated March 2024

Kindergarten Writing Workshop and Independent Writing Centers All Year Long

1. Build a consistent, dependable writing workshop routine that honors kid writers with choice of topic, differentiated learning, individual coaching, and carefully-crafted minilessons.

Proven Practices for Creating a Powerful Kindergarten Writing Workshop Model

2. Provide illustration study and guided drawing lessons early in the year. Teach students to outline in black and carefully fill in the drawing with color. (See What Makes a Quality Illustration)

3. Teach kindergartners—with Parents as Partners—to build fluency with two kinds of words: a growing collection of writing-to-read heart words they are expected to know “by heart” and words they learn to listen to, stretch through, and use phonics-based spelling for. Use “quick writes” (encode sounds to print) to build sequential sound segmentation skills.

4. Teach children to draw, write sentences, and make books. Create independent writing centers for authentic word work to build skills and stamina for writing workshop.

5. Understand the stages of early writing development and how to build appropriate assessment and carefully-crafted minilessons. Share writing development photos with parents and ask: “Where do you think your child is right now as a writer?” We see a four-year span of writing development for students entering kindergarten.

6. Give students choice and ownership of their writing pieces. Publish kindergartners’ writing in simple and delightful ways so children see themselves as young authors and illustrators all year long.

Writers don’t improve their craft unless they have a real purpose, a real audience, and a real investment in their writing. -Mem Fox

7. Simultaneously incorporate multisensory ABC Phonics Immersion, fingerspelling, and handwriting into a comprehensive writing program

7. Build the reading and writing brain. Simultaneously incorporate multisensory ABC Phonics Immersion, fingerspelling, handwriting, phonics and “heart word” sentences into a comprehensive writing program.

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Peruse our Writing tab Kindergarten Writing Sparks Joy!

Nellie Edge Kindergarten Writing Program:
Great for First Grade-Begin the Year!

Authentic writing resources that students, teachers, and parents love!

So Many Reasons to Love It!

“This bundle gave my kinders the scaffolding and confidence to truly become writers. The ideas are simple yet profound; this product should be required in every kinder classroom.”
–M.R. quote from TPT

“Just finished one of her workshops and it was amazing! Can’t wait to use this in my classroom and see the great works of writing my students will produce. Thank you for this amazing resource.”
–Nicola L. quote from TPT

“My first-grade students love learning how to draw and write about the animals. The grocery and friends list was a big hit with my class.”
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“I attended a Nellie Edge training with my building’s kindergarten team and loved the resources! I knew what the kinder team was teaching, and I am able to expand on that in first grade.”
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–Renee B. quote from TPT

“The kids loved this as an intervention supplement.”
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