Description:
Rationale:
First lets start with the area and arrangement. The writing center will be stationed at a large table for several reasons. A large table can accommodate several students at a time as well as providing a flat, sturdy space to write. The first picture above shows the table with neatly organized binders and materials. Each student will have their own personal binder to keep their center writing pieces in throughout the year. The purpose for this, is that writing is a process. Often, students will not complete a piece of writing in a day, or they may focus on the same piece of writing, but a different component/trait of that piece. They will need easy access to their writing at all times, and it should be organized in such a way that they can pick up where they left off without wasting too much time. The bins to the right, on the table pictured in the 1st photo, will include an abundance of writing materials. They will have everything they need to construct any piece of writing right in arms reach. This will prevent wasting time digging through desks to find pencils and paper.
The next component of the writing center is the method of choice. I believe that students do their best writing when they get to write about things they love. By providing choice, with a little guidance, the students are able to feel free to be creative, and include things that inspire them, in their writing. I do not intend to follow these prompts exactly, but I like the idea or rolling the dice, or playing tic tac toe, to determine what the students will write.
The last component for the writing center would be the poster showing the 6 traits. This is more for the purpose of differentiated instruction. For example, after assessing a student's piece of writing, I can give them feedback regarding only 1 trait at a time to prevent them from feeling overwhelmed during the revising process. They can easily go to the writing center and identify which trait they are working on, and maybe find some helpful hints as well. It is possible that I will leave a rubric a this station for each of the 6 traits to allow students to have an idea of what I'm looking for in their revised piece.
I am confident that the components I've chosen for my writing center will be a great benefit to my students. The only way to know though, is to try it out!