The Secret to Teaching Writing in Kindergarten: How Sentence Building Worksheets Boost Early Writing Skills

Teaching writing in kindergarten isn’t easy. If you’re here, you probably already know that. You’ve seen it firsthand—the blank stares, the letter reversals, the “I don’t know what to write” moments. It’s all part of the process.

But what if we had a way to ease students into writing without the frustration?
A way to build skills step-by-step, while giving young learners the structure and support they need?

That’s exactly what I set out to create with my Pick it! Write it! Decodable Sentence Building Worksheets, a printable resource designed to support developing early writing skills in a small group setting. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, or homeschool educator, this post will show you how to use them to make teaching writing in kindergarten just a little less intimidating—and a lot more effective.

Why Is Teaching Writing in Kindergarten So Challenging?

When we ask five- and six-year-olds to write, we’re asking them to juggle a lot:

• Forming letters
• Spacing words
• Applying phonics knowledge
• Remembering what they want to say
• And sometimes even… holding a pencil properly

That’s a big ask for developing minds and muscles.

So, how do we support them without overwhelming them?

That’s where structured kindergarten writing activities come in—especially those that align with what students are already learning in reading and phonics.

What Makes These Sentence Building Worksheets So Effective?

Each printable page is broken into three simple, decodable parts:

• Who? – Characters (e.g., the cat, a kid, my dog)
• Did What? – Actions (e.g., jumps, sits, runs)
• Where? – Settings (e.g., in the tub, on the rug, at the park)

Students choose one from each section, combine them into a complete sentence, then write and illustrate their sentence.

It’s the perfect blend of structure and creativity.

These worksheets are phonics-aligned and designed to support developing early writing skills without overwhelming new writers. Best of all? They work beautifully in a small group setting, where targeted support can really shine.

Using Pick it! Write it! Sentence Writing Worksheets in Small Groups

Here’s how teachers typically use this resource during guided writing or literacy centers:

1. Start with Phonics Warm-Up

A quick review of letter sounds or a mini blending activity can help activate students’ phonics brains. Many educators use Elkonin boxes or whiteboard blending to get started.

This step helps connect writing to phonics—an essential part of early literacy.

2. Read and Discuss Word Choices

Next, students read through the “Who,” “Did What,” and “Where” sections with teacher support. Together, they decode each word or phrase and talk about what they mean.

Example:
“Pam likes to gab in a cab.”
“What would that look like?”
“Have you ever seen a cab?”

Making meaning of the sentence helps build comprehension and vocabulary.

3. Oral Rehearsal

Before writing, students are encouraged to say their sentence out loud.
This is especially helpful for students who struggle to hold their ideas in their heads. Oral rehearsal also reinforces sentence structure and syntax.

Example prompt:
“Say your sentence three times. Use your fingers to count the words.”

4. Sentence Writing Time

Now, students stretch sounds, use phonics patterns, and begin to write. Some may need supports like:

• Alphabet charts
• Sound walls
• Spacemen or finger-spacing tools
• Word walls with high-frequency words
• Student Helper Page is Included in this resource!

This is where phonics knowledge meets real writing practice.

5. Draw and Share

Students draw a picture to match their sentence, which reinforces understanding and gives them a creative outlet.

Many teachers end the session by having students read their sentence aloud. This builds confidence and reinforces that writing has meaning and value.

Why Small Group Writing Instruction Works So Well

Small group writing gives educators the chance to:

• Offer immediate feedback
• Differentiate support
• Scaffold writing tasks
• Target specific phonics or sight word instruction
• Create a safe space for students to take writing risks

With kindergarten writing activities like sentence building worksheets, small groups become a powerful space for growth.

Built for the Science of Reading

Because these worksheets focus on decodable sentences, they are perfect for classrooms aligned with the Science of Reading. Students aren’t guessing at words—they’re decoding them using sound-symbol knowledge.

This makes the resource especially helpful for:

• Struggling readers
• Emerging English language learners
• Students who benefit from repeated structure and support

And since the sentences are customizable (hello, blank version!), you can easily align the vocabulary with your current phonics scope and sequence.

How Teachers Are Using This Resource

Educators have shared so many great ideas for using this resource beyond small group:

✅ Literacy centers
✅ Morning work
✅ Early finisher bins
✅ Writing folders
✅ Intervention groups
✅ Substitute plans

The structure stays the same, but the content can evolve with your students.

Tips for Getting Started

• Model first. Choose a sentence together and write it with the group.
• Use a highlighter. Mark tricky words to help students focus on decoding.
• Celebrate effort over perfection. We’re building writers, not editors.
• Keep everything low-stress. Let students choose silly combinations if it keeps them engaged.

Teaching Writing in Kindergarten Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming

Whether you’re teaching in a traditional classroom, a homeschool environment, or supporting teachers as a literacy coach, one thing remains the same: early writing instruction should be accessible, joyful, and connected to what students already know.

By using structured, phonics-based sentence writing activities in a small group setting, we help students feel successful—sometimes for the very first time as writers.

If that isn’t a win, I don’t know what is.

TL;DR

Looking for effective kindergarten writing activities that support developing early writing skills? These Sentence Writing Building Worksheets are perfect for small groups. With decodable vocabulary and simple structure, they help students write complete sentences with confidence and joy. Bonus: They align beautifully with phonics instruction and the Science of Reading.

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Thanks for reading! Happy Teaching,