Differentiating Narrative Writing in Kindergarten

Differentiating writing in kindergarten doesn’t have to be tricky! The key is meeting students where they are and giving them opportunities to succeed at their level.

It’s unrealistic to expect every kindergartner to write a full sentence on each page by November. Some students are still mastering letters and sounds, and asking them to write a complete beginning, middle, and end can lead to frustration or tears.

Here’s an easier approach:

Give each student a book that fits their level, but keep the overall structure the same.

For example, in a narrative unit:

• All students have a front cover and pages labeled beginning, middle, and end.

• Inside, the pages differ depending on ability:

  • Big drawing space only: Students focus on illustrating their story. When the teacher visits, they can label the picture with help based on their letter and sound knowledge.

  • Drawing space + one line: Students draw and label independently, using a sentence stem for support. They might need help with tricky sounds, but most of the work is theirs.

  • Smaller drawing space + multiple lines: Students are ready to write full sentences. They can copy rough drafts from their pictures, add labels, and begin writing independently. Teacher support is minimal, focusing mainly on sentence structure and adding details.

By differentiating this way, every student is successful and challenged at their own level. Some students may take a couple of days to finish one page, and that’s okay. Others are ready to write multiple sentences. This approach builds confidence, independence, and joy in writing, without unnecessary frustration.

The most important thing? Set realistic expectations and meet each student where they are academically. When you do, your classroom will have confident writers at every stage.

If you want even more support, my complete Kindergarten Writing Unit includes scripted lesson plans, anchor charts, and tons of differentiated writing papers to make differentiation simple and effective. Don't miss my mentor texts on my website!