What is a Work on Writing Literacy Center? How can they fit into my classroom? Do they meet all my student’s needs? How can I make it fit into my writing instruction? What do I do to engage students while still managing small group and individual instruction?
If you have been asking yourself any of these questions, keep reading! Work on Writing Literacy Centers will help students with their writing skills and fluency. Let’s look at some Work on Writing Literacy Center ideas.
1. Explanation of Work on Writing Centers
The Work on Writing Center is another rotation where students have extended time to explore different writing topics. It can be used to continue the writing curriculum or process that is being taught separately from your reading and writing centers.
However, this does not always have to be the case. The focus of the Work on Writing center is the form a student chooses. Students should be encouraged to create their own writing ideas and use writing strategies to keep their writing process fluent.
2. Strategies for Writing Success
For many learners, especially those who struggle writing is not their favorite pastime. We need to encourage students to become independent writers just as we have for reading.
Therefore, we need to teach them some strategies to aid them in this process and become excited about writing. Here are just a few strategies that may help with this process.
- Model how to write.
- Make writing a part of the daily routine.
- Use different writing materials.
- Write letters to others.
- Encourage journaling.
- Connect to student interests.
- Create story prompts.
- Use technology.
- Share writing with others.
3. Setting Expectations for Work on Writing Centers
It is so important to set the expectations and guidelines for students to know how to use this center. Here are some tips to help make your Work on Writing Center successful.
- Set Purpose: To become better writers; Care about writing and the people who read it; Choices of what to write about; It is fun!
- Material Setup: Model writing for students; Show what to do during writing; Location and use of materials being use.
- Student Behavior: Discuss and brainstorm Work on Writing behaviors. These could include: Write the whole time; When you can’t spell word, underline, and move on; Write quietly; Get started right away.
- Material Clean-Up: Model for students where and how writing materials are put away.
Take a look at this Work on Writing Launching Chart, it may help you in implementing this center into your classroom.
4. Quality Writing Materials
It is essential for students to have quality writing materials for the center Work on Writing to work. Learners need to find writing materials that are the right fit for them. Writing materials can be rotating monthly or weekly to peak student’s interest. Here are some suggestions that may help in your classroom:
- Word Walls
- Dictionary Charts or Sheets
- Monthly Themed Word Charts
- Classroom Journals
- Student Journals
- Graphic Organizers
- Prompt Cards
- Topic Response Sheets
- List Writing
- Student Checklists
- Letter Writing
- Cards
- Different shapes and colors of paper
- Different writing implements
Try this Writing Dictionary & Topics List with your students.
In summary, a Work on Writing Literacy Center will help students in their writing by focusing on many writing skills needed for them to succeed. It is important to model for students how to write and provide them with a variety writing materials.
It is also important that you stick with it! Show students how they can build up their writing stamina. Get students involved in their writing goal setting for each day. Stress creativity and your students will begin to love the Work on Writing Literacy Center!
Find some more reading activities and assessments in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more topics check out my blog, “Seven Effective First Grade Assessment Tools”
