Writing Rules!

     An important part of writing is revising work.  Teaching kindergarteners conventions in writing I believe should be consistently and explicitly taught.  In my classroom, we focus on four conventions: staying on topic, upper-case at the beginning, space between words, and punctuation at the end.  These revising conventions are aligned with the Common Core Standards.  Under 'Production and Distribution of Writing', kindergarteners are required to 'plan' revise' and edit'.  I feel the four conventions I use are the foundation for writing.  These rules are posted on the wall of classroom. I introduce one convention at a time.  I also have a hand signal for each rule that helps visually cue students to the convention.  The first one is 'Staying on Topic'.  My hand signal is point to my forehead to 'write about what you are thinking about'.  When writing, my expectation for the students staying on topic also includes adding details.  

      The second convention I teach is upper-case at the beginning of sentences and the beginning of names.  Using student names, writing them on surveys, lists, or in notes is a great way to show writing upper-case at the begninning of names.  All of the conventions should be explicitly taught prior to starting the bi-weekly writing process.  Students should have a solid understanding of what a sentence is and looks like.  The beginning of the school year is dedicated to letter writing, shape writing, and writing in informal ways in order to give the students the solid foundation they need to write sentences successfully.  The hand signal for this convention is the 'thumbs up' sign.
     The third convention is space between words.  There are alllllllll kinds of cute ''spaceman', 'worm' spacers, and 'space' sticks out there, but we just use a plain old popsicle stick.  I used to teach the two finger space, but having so many lefties over the years, I have found it easier to lay down a flat popsicle stick.  Also, they are cheap and can get broken, bent, or lost  and there is little to no cost to replace. ;-)  For a student who needs a larger space than the popsicle stick, you can use tongue depressors.  You can also get them all in colors for fun!  The hand signal for this is the two fingers in the air.
    The final convention I teach is punctuation at the end of the sentence.  I teach the children about the period, exclamation mark, and question mark.  The hand signal for this is my pinkie out and a 'pop' noise.  The hand signals, if you use your left hand, also go progressively from left to right in the order you use them in the sentence. (Wait a minute you say, that doesn't go left to right...It will go left to right to the students sitting in front of you!) Thumbs up (upper-case), two fingers (space), and pinkie pop (period).  
     You can begin to see why the formal bi-weekly process does not begin until the end of quarter two.  Students need a solid foundation in letters, letter formation, and sentences prior to creating formal writing.  Please do not get me wrong, my students are 'writing' from day one, using pictures, names, labels, and other beginning forms of writing.