Our Writing Station is the second station I introduce after Read to Self. (You can read about how I launch independent reading here.) During the first two weeks of school, my goal isn’t to have students writing long stories. Instead, I want them to learn the routines, build confidence, and become comfortable working independently. By keeping writing station simple at the beginning of the year, students can focus on learning expectations instead of feeling overwhelmed by what to write. I am a firm believer in “start slow to go fast”, especially in 1st grade!
✏️ Here are the four activities I use to introduce writing station during the first few weeks of school.
1. Make a List 📋
First, I introduce list writing. This is one of my favorite beginning-of-the-year writing activities because every student can be successful. My students have a journal, so they glue each list in their journal. That way, they can revisit a list the next time they revisit and finish the list, if needed.
I put out two list choices each week.
✏️ Students make lists such as:
- My favorite animals
- Things I like to do at recess
- Some of my friends
- Places I want to go
- Things found in the ocean
- Songs I love
List writing removes the pressure of writing complete sentences while still giving students meaningful writing practice. They learn that writers don’t always write stories…sometimes they make lists, too! Plus, my students can use these for free writing ideas in their journal later in the year.
✏️Looking for list writing activities? Check out my List Writing Bundle, with LOTS of list ideas!
2. Shared Writing Journals 📔
The next activity I introduce is our “Notes to the Teacher” shared journals. I put two in the station to start out, because this one is wildly popular! In this journal, students can tell me something or ask me questions. Each Friday, I take the journals and write back to students. Then, the next time they are in the writing station, they can see my response!
It’s such a fun way to get them excited about writing and using writing to communicate!
After a few weeks, I introduce some of our other journals….Friends, Recess, and Pets are usually my next ones.
I love these journals as a teacher. I have received sweet notes to me, funny questions about my pets or husband, and even some sad entries. Last year, we had a very sad situation where a little girl’s puppy passed away suddenly. She wrote about it all the time in the journal…it was a great place for her to get her feelings out. I would write back to her and we also chatted about it, so she knew I was there for her. 💔 And, when I lost my heart cat, they left me so many sweet and comforting notes about him.
📔 I have several shared class journals we use throughout the year. Check out my Shared Writing Journal Covers and start this meaningful activity in your classroom!
3. Writing Prompts ✍🏽
I introduce writing prompts, usually during week two or three. Each of my prompts has a student-friendly checklist at the bottom, so we go over the expectations before I put any prompts in the station. Students keep their prompts in their stations folder, so they can work on them over multiple writing station sessions.
My prompts that include engaging pictures and familiar topics so students have ideas right away. At this point in the year, I encourage students to do their best with letter sounds, spacing, and adding details rather than worrying about spelling every word correctly.
I usually make 2-3 prompts available at a time, so students have a choice of what they will be writing about.
✍🏽Check out my Writing Prompts for the Year and get what you need!
4. ABC Tracing 🔤
Not every student enters first grade with strong letter formation skills, so I always include alphabet tracing pages as a writing station option. Even students with fabulous handwriting love to use the whiteboard markers and practice their letters and numbers.
I put dotted alphabet pages inside of page protectors and students use whiteboard markers to practice. I use page protectors like these that I purchased many years ago at the Dollar Tree.
*** I also include Alphabet Linking Charts from A Pinch of Kinder. These provide an easy reference for letter formation and letter sounds during our writing station.
These activities are a great way for us to start our Writing Station and are what we use for about the first month. My students visit the writing station about once per week based on how our rotations work. Once our stations are flowing smoothly, I introduce other writing activities in our station.
If you’re looking for simple, low-prep writing activities to help students become independent writers, these four activities are a great place to start.
Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Teaching!
Jennifer ~ Practical Primary Teacher 🍎🍏
⭐ More Classroom Tips You May Enjoy…
How I Launch Independent Reading in 1st Grade
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