Writing is important. We often forget that because reading is usually the main focus for any K-5 language arts teacher. The fact is, they go hand in hand. The teachers I work with are not afraid to admit that they’re uncomfortable teaching writing. Raise your hand if this is you. For many of us it’s not an easy thing to normalize in the classroom. It’s challenging because it’s very difficult to keep the motivation going.
One great way to hold yourself accountable for teaching writing (and encourage your students to write) is to set up a writing center. Before deciding to take the plunge, keep in mind that your students will have to be taught how to use each writing resource that’s provided to them. This takes time – and it’s OK! When your class’ writing center is up and running, it will become a focal point in your students’ day. At my school, I find that students gravitate to their writing center to participate in keeping it clean, pretty, and functional.
*DISCLAIMER*
Prepare yourself for the daily barrage of “May I write in the writing center today?” “Can I please use a mentor text?” “The sticky notes look a little low, can I add more?” These are great problems to have, it means that your students are becoming their own agents for sharpening their writing skills!
Keep in mind that a writing center is not a place for students to go and write. This is why you don’t see chairs in any of the writing centers I’ve shared here. It’s actually a place for them to gather any and all materials needed to start or continue the writing process.
A good writing center can include the following items:
- A variety of paper
- A variety of writing utensils
- Dictionaries and thesauruses
- Sticky notes
- Spider legs (for revising)
- A list of commonly misspelled words
- Writing anchor charts
- Mentor Texts
It’s always a good idea to provide your students with a wide range of options to make them feel empowered during writing time. There is a bit of novelty in having a lot of tools for them to use, but in the same way a library needs tons of books, a writing center needs tons of writing resources. Keep in mind that when you are creating your writing center, it needs to look just as engaging as your classroom library. When your students walk in on the first day of school, they need to know that reading and writing are equally important!
I hope this post has inspired you to create your own writing center. Your students will thank you!
Does anyone out there have a writing center? Do your students use it? What has been your biggest challenge thus far? Are you thinking of setting up a writing center? Comment below.
This is such a great idea! I’ve always wanted to find a fun way to encourage writing in my classroom. Thank you for this.