Kindergarten Writing Journals

Today I made my beginning kindergarten writing journals. It was kind of a no-brainer--I just stapled some blank typing paper together (although I did print a cute cover). I start the whole class out with blank paper until I can assess their writing and fine motor skills.

After a week or so, we move on to this paper that has a specific box for the picture.

Eventually, as their writing skills improve, we move on to paper that has wide lines. Some kids will get this paper earlier than others.

When we first start learning about organization and that stories have a beginning, middle and end, I give them paper that has a divided box to help them organize their thinking. I do not do this forever. Our writing can be organized in many different ways, and I do not want them to think that this is their only option.

And finally, I give them paper with a dotted middle line, to help get them ready for our Primary Journals. These are composition books that have a blank space at the top for pictures and dotted-middle-lines at the bottom.

Some kids are ready to move into these notebooks by November or December. My goal is to have the majority of kids in them by the start of the 2nd semester. I'm not going to lie--these notebooks are not perfect. I still think the lines are too small for most kindergartners. And we use the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum to teach handwriting, and their lines are completely different! But by mid-year, my kindergartners are very prolific--they can write pages and pages! My copies are very limited and it takes time to staple all those journals. These notebooks are practical.

I do stress with my kids, throughout the year, that it doesn't matter what kind of paper we write on. I model and give them opportunities to write on all kinds of paper. It's the words--not the paper--that matter!

I made a cute label for the writing journals if you want it. I'm going to steal an idea from one of my teamates and have kids and their families decorate the outside of the journals with pictures, so that the kids will have instant story ideas.

Download Writing Journal Labels

And here is the paper if you want it:

Download Writing Paper

Happy Writing!

 

Comments

[Susan]

I like your beg/middle/end paper for journals! We use handwriting without tears, too. This year, we are going to have an extra hour added to our day and I plan on using it for daily writing and "publishing" journals (unless I am told I have to do something else). In TX, we had to do daily "Draft Books", but we didn't have time to do this at my current school. Now, we will!

[Susan]

If anyone is printing these, they need to print in LANDSCAPE.

[Tharon]

What did you use to cover the fonts of the journals. They are pretty ugly. Wish they hadn't put all that stuff on them.

[Erica]

I love these journals=) Do you mind sharing about how many sheets of blank paper you put in the journal. I would love to make some of these but am not sure how much of each sheet to attach. Do you just add more as they need it? Thanks so mucH!

[Tonya Cordero]

Have you tried starfall.com journals? They have a place for pictures at the top and lines on the bottom. If you order more than 20 you can get them for less than $1 each.

[Alex]

Tonya beat me to it with the comment about Starfall journals! They have worked so well in my classroom--with the exception of a few students who really struggle with fine motor skills, the lines are a great size for kindergarteners.

[Daviskm]

I too love the paper for writing. I was curious about making the books as well because I don't know how many pages to add. You said that some kids are ready to move on to more advanced paper before some. How do you add it? I also noticed that you don't have a place on the pages for the kids to put their name and date. Is that not important?

[Kathryn]

Daviskm-- This year I made my beginning journals with 10 blank papers and 10 papers with just the box. That will get me through the first month. Then I'm going to re-evaluate. Most kids will be more than ready to move on to the wide-lined paper. I usually do 20 pages in a journal. If they are ready to move on before they're done with those pages, I just let them take them home to write.

I do think the date is important. But I use a date stamp the first 9 weeks. Around October, I teach them how to write the "code date" and what each number represents. I don't usually make a box, because they won't have one when they move to the primary composition books, or in their other journals. I just teach them to write it at the top of the page. I don't make them write their names in their journals--it's on front. I make them practice their name for homework!

Hope that helps!

[Kathryn]

Tonya and Alex--
I have the Starfall writing journals but had never seen the blank ones. They are great! I wonder if my principal will give me some more money...

[Heidi]

I am teaching 1/2 day K and time is so limited. We really only have time for journal once a week! I am lucky to get a sentence out of my kids in their journals at this point. They are hesitant writers as much as I try to encourage them and reassure them. Any suggestions???

Постои очигледно многу да знаат за ова. Мислам дека направивме некои добри поени во карактеристики, исто така. Продолжете да работите, голема работа!

[Suzanne]

Thanks this is great!!

[Sharon]

Love your site. You have some great ideas and resources. Thanks for sharing. I will be sure to pass the details of your site on.

[Yolonda Wade]

Thanks for all the wonderful downloads and super ideas. I am so excited to try these out in my class this year.

[lyn wooten]

when are you going to add set 3 for the sight word pages?

[lacey]

I have LOVED reading through your blog and am so pumped to try your strategies in my classroom this year. I have already enjoyed success with your measurement unit last year, my first year teaching Kindergarten!! Thanks so much, and keep blogging! ;)