Pony Writing

 In the Writing Center I am learning...

 to use fine motor skills. 
 to use a variety of writing utensils. 
 to draw and write in a journal. 
 to write my name and other important words. 
 to use a variety of materials to draw on. 
 cooperation skills. 
 to make choices and decisions. 


             Writing Development Checklist

Stage 1
•	Child scribbles
Stage 2
•	Writes with curvy lines
•	Writes cursive m’s
•	Writes small circles
•	Writes vertical lines
Stage 3
•	Arranges letters in different ways to indicate different 
letters
Stage 4
•	Traces and copies letters and words
•	Uses mock letters and symbols
Stage 5
•	Uses random lettering
•	Labels pictures
•	Makes lists of words
•	Uses temporary spelling
•	Child writes one letter for each syllable heard
Stage 6
•	Uses more alphabet letters
•	Vowels appear
•	Temporary spelling becomes closer to standard spelling
Stage 7
•	Uses conventional spelling for the most part

Writing: Our writing time focuses both on the Writer's Workshop and 
handwriting.  It is very important to help your child write their thoughts 
down on paper in sequence while stopping to sound out each word.  
Handwriting practice can now move forward from letters in isolation to 
practicing "shadow writing" (copying correctly written text) new sight words 
and decodable sentences.