Worksheets for Kinders....are they a good idea?
The idea of worksheets in Kindergarten is quite polarized to say the least! To use worksheets or not to use worksheets have sharply contrasting schools of thought. As a Kindergarten teacher, I definitely use worksheets, though certainly not as a cornerstone of my classroom. There I said it. I use worksheets! Please don't judge me until you hear what I have to say. Simply put, I use them for two purposes. I use worksheets as a way to quickly and easily assess student understanding as a "check-in" or "exit ticket," directly following a lesson or as a "whole group assessment" for quarterly reporting purposes. (*Hint: this also helps transitioning students to center work so they are not all rushing to the centers at once!) I especially enjoy using aesthetically pleasing and Montessori-style worksheets, including seasonal and themed worksheets! Check out my seasonal current worksheets here!
Secondly, I use simple original worksheets that invite students to imagine and create independently. For example, following a lesson about comparing and contrasting domestic and wild animals, I will give students a basic T-Chart Worksheet. Students are given the opportunity to "research" the animal books around the classroom. As they research, they can write the word and/or draw a picture of an animal, add collage materials, etc. - whatever they feel they want to do as their research! You should see how engaged the students are when they CHOOSE how to research, and how to complete the worksheet! Choice really is key! And, here's a little hint, I always print these kinds of worksheets on card-stock so they offer whatever sturdiness is necessary for the kids' work!
The important take-away here, is that whenever possible, offer students an opportunity to complete engaging work (or worksheets) as they choose in ways that enable them to use their skills and interests and to properly engage with the topic/lesson. This will also help to increase their independence, confidence, completion and organization skills, and creativity. And, of course, there should be no right or wrong way to do so! The idea of offering students worksheets as "busy work," goes against everything I've learned about developmental appropriateness. That being said, I am very purposeful about the worksheets I use.
Below are some ideas for providing "original" meaningful worksheets in your classroom. I will be adding basic templates for these types of worksheets in my TPT store soon!
T-Charts for Compare & Contrast wherein students can write, draw, add collage materials, etc.
Target Maps include a word/image centered on the worksheet wherein students can write, draw, add information, etc. For example, if the target is /Bb/, students can write Bb words, draw Bb pictures, write the letter Bb with different writing utensils or in different sizes, etc.
"All About" Brainstorming/ Graphic Organizers
Science Investigations: i.e. pumpkins
Can, Have, Are Charts: alongside art utensils, such as stamps, chalk, q-tip paint
First, Next, Last Charts: alongside art utensils, such as stamps, chalk, q-tip paint
"How-To" Sequence Boxes: alongside art utensils, such as stamps, chalk, q-tip paint
Fun Writing Prompts: i.e."If you could be an animal, who would you be?" Students can "answer" in words, pictures, etc.
Word Art: i.e. collages, writing or making a word go in different directions, using different writing or art utensils
Fun Seasonal: ties to any current theme/season in a fun and engaging manner, including crafts. Check out my current seasonal worksheets here!
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