Stages of Writing Development
Stage 1
Drawing/Picture Writing
In the drawing and picture writing stage, children begin to express their thoughts and feelings, the pictures are usually unrecognizable.
Stage 2
Scribbling
At this stage, the child begins to draw somewhat recognizable shapes and may tell about the picture. The child may try to imitate writing, as well.
Stage 3
Random Letters
The child begins to print his or her own name and may put strings of letter with his/her picture. They may attempt to read the message, but it is probably still unrecognizable
Stage 4
Semi-phonetic(Early Spelling)
The child begins to use some letters to match sounds, often using a beginning letter to represent the whole word. They may begin to use left to right progression, but letter reversals are still common.
Stage 5
Phonetic
At this stage, children begin to write words with beginning and ending sounds. They also begin to spell some high frequency words correctly. Vowels may be inserted into words, but usually aren’t the right ones.
Stage 6
Transitional Spelling
At this stage, children are writing words the way they sound. They leave spaces between words and spell many high frequency words correctly. They use punctuation marks, sometimes correctly. They write four or more sentences.
* Students need to at least be writing at STAGE 6 by the end of Kindergarten.
Stage 7
Conventional Spelling
At this level children spell most words correctly, though phonetic based spelling still comes into play when they must spell longer words. They begin to use punctuation marks correctly and use capital and lower case letters in the correct places.
*** Please see the Power Point Presentation from "Curriculum Night" which includes more information about Reading & Writing. It is located under "Important Information."
Stage 1
Drawing/Picture Writing
In the drawing and picture writing stage, children begin to express their thoughts and feelings, the pictures are usually unrecognizable.
Stage 2
Scribbling
At this stage, the child begins to draw somewhat recognizable shapes and may tell about the picture. The child may try to imitate writing, as well.
Stage 3
Random Letters
The child begins to print his or her own name and may put strings of letter with his/her picture. They may attempt to read the message, but it is probably still unrecognizable
Stage 4
Semi-phonetic(Early Spelling)
The child begins to use some letters to match sounds, often using a beginning letter to represent the whole word. They may begin to use left to right progression, but letter reversals are still common.
Stage 5
Phonetic
At this stage, children begin to write words with beginning and ending sounds. They also begin to spell some high frequency words correctly. Vowels may be inserted into words, but usually aren’t the right ones.
Stage 6
Transitional Spelling
At this stage, children are writing words the way they sound. They leave spaces between words and spell many high frequency words correctly. They use punctuation marks, sometimes correctly. They write four or more sentences.
* Students need to at least be writing at STAGE 6 by the end of Kindergarten.
Stage 7
Conventional Spelling
At this level children spell most words correctly, though phonetic based spelling still comes into play when they must spell longer words. They begin to use punctuation marks correctly and use capital and lower case letters in the correct places.
*** Please see the Power Point Presentation from "Curriculum Night" which includes more information about Reading & Writing. It is located under "Important Information."