Early in the year, the first 16 pink “heart words” allow kindergartners to write heart-connecting sentences such as “I love you.” This is their first circle of writing mastery.

Daily “quick writes” of heart word sentences is the highest impact literacy strategy I can give teachers: It is how we increase “word power per minute” and build writing fluency and stamina.

Writing-to-read “heart words” include color-coordinated sets of 16 words each that give students writing mastery with the sentences: I love you. I see the… I like my… I can… I have a… Students move at their own rate. They challenge themselves to quickly learn each new set of words.

Writing and learning “heart word” sentences supports phonics work! Once the brain has learned to write a sentence starter with good handwriting, it has more memory space for vital phonics word work—to fearlessly encode sounds to print when writing new words! Writing sounds to make words is powerful phonics practice.

Learning “heart words” is one of the ways we build engaged, motivated writers. This strategy has proven successful in diverse Northwest classrooms. It allows us to integrate ABC Phonics Immersion, good handwriting, and sight word work, building stamina and confidence for writing workshop.

See the results of our kindergarten action-research in this FREE 58-page eBook.