Writing Developmental Stages

Emergent Writer (Pre-K and Kindergarten)

• draws a picture to tell a story
• understands that writing is communication in written form
• uses scribble writing and symbol writing
•  uses left to right progression
• uses initial consonants  
• uses spaces between words
• selects writing topics
• tells a story or "reads" writing to others

Early Writer (First Grade)

• uses invented spelling
• uses initial and final consonants
• places vowels correctly in words
• uses many high-frequency words as he/she writes
• creates a title for his/her story has a beginning, middle, and end in his/her story
• begins using dialogue
• uses capitals and periods
• begins using editing and identifies misspelled words
• uses environment as a resource for spelling correctly and writing ideas

Fluent Writer (Second Grade)

• develops parts of the story
• understands knowledge about topics
• runs topics throughout entire story      
• adds details to the story
• writes paragraphs
• uses word endings
• uses punctuation such as question mark, comma, exclamation mark, and quotation marks.
• initiates the editing process