Writing Stations That Increase Achievement
The purpose of a station or center is to give students independent practice on skills, strategies, or processes in order to become proficient. Stations are a "second stop” for practicing once students have conceptual understanding, but need time and new situations to apply in order to deepen their understanding and become more fluent.
So given what you’ve already taught so far this year (or last year), what do students need to review or practice when it comes to writing?
Areas for Practice
Composing
Practice using the writing process to plan, organize and compose a first draft. Students choose the form of writing (letters, stories, poems, expository pieces).
Revising
Practice revising a composition by adding, changing, or deleting words to make the piece more meaningful.
Sentence Construction
Using mentor sentences from texts read aloud to imitate and construct meaningful sentences. Also, have students write three to six simple sentences on a topic. Then have then practice combining the sentences into compound and complex sentences. Does it sound better as a simple or compound/complex sentence?
Editing
Using an editing checklist, students practice editing one convention at a time. Always practice in a complete composition, not in isolated sentences. The conventions should help the author communicate the message. For an editing checklist example, click here. The editing checklist should be made with students as skills are taught.
Need a ready-to-print writing center option? Click here to download!
Click here for a choice board template.