Charley's school work...

When I was volunteering the other day I heard the teacher giving out the instructions for their assignment. They had read a book about soup and each child had to draw 3 things that they would put in their soup and then stretch their words to try and label what they drew. Here is Charley's completed work:

I LOVE this stage of writing.  Since the beginning of the year I have seen Charley become more and more interested in writing.  He picks up a pencil and draws and writes more often.  He is getting really good at stretching his sounds to do his best to spell his word.  He often times asks me if he wrote it correctly.  I am always very excited and exclaim, "Your kindergarten spelling is so smart."  At this stage in the game it isn't about having it spelled correctly - it is about getting them to give it a try, the pride they feel when they have tried their best, and seeing them pick up the pencil to attempt to write something without it being assigned.  The teacher in me loves seeing Charley picking up a pencil to write lists, label his drawings, and even write a letter or story etc...on his own.