The school supply isles are stocked. The carpets on your campus have been cleaned. It's time to prep for Back to School!
I like to get as many routine items prepared before school starts as possible. Plus, if I'm going to actually make something from my crazy large stock-pile of school related Pinterest boards, now is the time. Once class is back in action, I'll be very happy that I prepared as much as possible in advance.
One thing I'm preparing in advance is my monthly writing centers. First, I made a list of the types of things I will routinely include:
- thematic picture dictionaries
- color paper (a different color each month)
- themed pencils and erasers
- crayons
- writing paper
- special writing utensils (varied from month-to-month)
- resources related to our current writing unit
Thematic Dictionaries
I created a selection of picture dictionaries with REAL-LIFE pictures like you might find in nonfiction texts. I also suggest the clip art picture dictionaries in the any of the writing centers created by Kerri B.
At the beginning of the school year I plan to display these picture dictionaries: Summer, Summer Olympics, Back to School, and Vacation. In September, I'll add Apples, Johnny Appleseed, Community Helpers, and Super Heroes. Here's a peek at some picture dictionaries with REAL pictures from my TpT store:
Color Paper
I plan on adding half sheets of colored paper each month. Kiddos are attracted to color! Use your campus copy machine to copy handwriting lines onto the paper.
August/September - Yellow
October - Orange
November - Brown
December - Red & Green
January - Blue
February - Pink and Red
March - Green
April - Pastel colors
May/June - Neon colors
Themed Pencils & Erasers
Two words. Dollar Tree.
Special Writing Utensils
I'll start out the year with standard #2 yellow pencils. But, let's face it, new is intriguing. Intrigue promotes engagement. Here are some writing utensils you can add to your writing center to make writing feel extra special:
- Colored pencils
- Pens
- Markers
- Glitter pens
- Book fair writing utensils
- Pens with color ink (other than blue//black)
- Pencils with themed toppers
TIP: Don't start the year off with these items. Add or trade out a type of writing instrument monthly. If the items are in the center all the time, they lose their "special."
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| Dollar Tree |
Writing Unit Resources
Don't forget to include anchor charts and student work samples from your writing units!
Other
Other items to consider adding to your writing center are:
- Blank mini-books
- Magazine cut-outs
- Holiday cards (at Christmas and Valentine's Day)
- Post cards
- Post-it Notes
- Interesting pictures for inspiration
- ABC chart
- Blends and digraphs chart
- Sentence stems
These ideas will help keep your writing center FRESH all year!
