Kindergarten Writing Developmental

Scale
Name: ___________________________________

Level 1: Emerging
_______ Makes uncontrolled or unidentifiable scribbling

Level 2: Pictorial
_______ Imitates Writing
_______ Draws somewhat recognizable pictures
_______ Tells about picture

Level 3: Pre-communicative
_______ Writes to convey a message: attempts to read it back
_______ Uses letter-like forms and/or random letter strings
_______ Prints own name or occasional known word

Level 4: Semi-phonetic
_______ Correct uses some letters to match sounds
_______ May use one beginning letter to write a word
_______ Usually writes left to right (may reverse some letters)

Level 5: Phonetic
_______ Repeats beginning and ending consonant sounds
_______ Spells some high-frequency words correctly in sentences
_______ Includes some vowels (often not correct ones)
_______ Writes one or more sentences

Once students have advanced beyond Level 5 (phonetic) they will be scored on the
Kindergarten Year Long Writing Scoring Guide
 Kindergarten Year Long Writing Scoring Guide
Name:____________________________________
Below Basic
Process and Habits: Records strings of letters
Trait: Conventions together with little or no
spaces
Doesnt reread
Audience & Purpose Draws a picture unrelated to
Trait: Ideas & Content the prompt
Language Use & Conventions No attempt to letter
Trait Conventions formation
Demonstrates limited
knowledge of hearing and
recording sounds in words by
recording strings of letters
Only uses I,, a correctly when
using high-frequency words
Specific Prompt Elements Does not draw or write about
Trait: Ideas & Content a prompt
Comments:
Basic
Writes words: may or may
not use spaces
Uses rereading strategy
without 1-to-1 correspondence
Writes to the prompt by
drawing a picture
Writes some letters using
correct formation, may include
capital letters (reversals
accepted)
Hears and records some
consonant letter sounds but
not necessarily in sequential
order
Writes less than 2 simple
high-frequency words
(excluding I, a)
Draws or writes about the
prompt
Date: __________________________________
Proficient
Uses spaces between words
most of the time
Uses rereading strategy with
1-to-1 correspondence
Writes a simple message (a
sentence) that communicates
the writers purpose
Writes most letters using
correct formation, may include
capital letters (reversals
accepted)
Hears and records some
consonant letter sounds in
sequential order and some
easy to hear vowels may
appear randomly
Writes 2-3 simple high-
frequency words (excluding I,
a)
Draws and writes about the
prompt
Advanced
Uses spaces between words
consistently
Uses rereading strategy and
shows signs of editing
Writes a simple message (two
or more sentences) that
communicates the writers
purpose
Writes all letters with correct
formation (excluding
reversals)
Hears and records some
consonant letter sounds in
sequential order and some
easy to hear vowels may
appear in sequential order
Writes 4 or more simple
high-frequency words
(excluding I, a)
Draws and writes about the
prompt. Writing is supported
by details