Welcome back to our series on setting up a writing center in your classroom. We’ve covered where to place your writing station, which furniture to use, and how to organize your writing center supplies. Today, we will talk about what kind of writing supplies you can put out for your students. Not only that, we’re going to discuss some helpful tips to keep them organized. Here are the essential writing center supplies: must-haves for your students.
What Writing Center Supplies Do You Need?
Let’s start with the obvious. Pencils. There are pencils, and then there are Ticonderoga pencils. If you know, you know. These sweet babies are the best for an elementary classroom. They hold up well without breaking easily, and you’ll get a perfect sharpen every time. No shaved edges and hidden pencil lead with a Ticonderoga pencil.
Writing Center Pencil Tip #1
But here’s the writing center trick for pencils. No matter how many students are at your writing center at one time, you’ll want to add a crazy amount of pencils. I usually have four students maximum at my writing center. But I’ll have upwards of 20 pencils, especially at the beginning of the year. Your kiddos are going to break a LOT of pencils. You don’t want the constant interruption of getting new pencils, so put them ALL out there.
Writing Center Pencil Tip #2
Where do you get all these pencils? If your students bring in community supplies, pull the Ticonderoga pencils and set them aside. If you’re a Target gal or guy, look for sales. Or grab this set on Amazon. Do you HAVE to use Ticonderoga pencils? Of course not! But the one year that I figured this little trick out was a light-bulb moment, and I’ve never gone back.
By the way, Ticonderoga does not sponsor me. I just really like their pencils. Any link in any of our articles to Amazon is an affiliate link, so you can purchase items at no cost, and it’s an excellent way to support Teaching Firsties.
Crayons At Your Writing Center
As I write this, I realize I am a writing tool snob. When looking at crayons for your writing center, you’ll want durable crayons that won’t break. No generic crayons here. Again, I’m all for saving a buck, and I usually avoid buying name-brand anything if I can get a deal. But if you’re looking at spending all your time replacing broken waxy crayons, you’ll get it.
Writing Center Crayon Tip
If your students bring crayons for their own use, that’s different than the pencils. Their crayons are rarely community crayons. Pencils are a dime a dozen, but that crayon box to a kindergarten or first-grade student? It’s like gold, so you’ll want to keep them in their pencil boxes.
So, where do you get a ton of crayons for your writing center without spending a fortune? I used to splurge on the big class pack of Crayola crayons. You know, the ones with different compartments and 16 crayons of the same color? Then, I would meticulously make sure each of my literacy centers has four of the same color. Which doesn’t sound complicated, but it was time-consuming.
Instead, Amazon has this pack of 24 boxes of 24 crayons each. I just open four boxes and dump them into my writing center caddy. Done!
Fun Writing Center Supplies
Later in the school year, you can add the fun writing tools to your writing center. We’re talking markers, colored pencils, and gel pens—the fun things.
Just don’t make the mistake I made the first time. I decided it might be fun for my students to get creative with markers and pens.
Glue Sticks And Scissors At Your Writing Centers
Lastly, what about glue sticks and scissors at your writing centers? Sometimes, a cut-and-paste activity would work well at your writing center. If you have writing activities that require glue sticks and scissors, by all means, keep them there.
Notice I said glue STICKS. I am a liquid glue gal for most things in my classroom, but you’ll want something that will dry immediately at your writing center.
If you’re not going to use glue sticks and scissors on many of your writing center activities, then don’t offer them to your students. Instead, keep a caddy ready for the weeks you put out cut-and-paste activities.
When it comes to writing center supplies, ask yourself three questions.
1) Do my students need it to complete this writing activity?
2) Are they ready to use the writing tool correctly?
3) What possible disruptions might this cause?
The answers to these three questions will help you decide if your students are ready to use your writing center supplies. But don’t forget that handful of Ticonderoga pencils to start!
2 Responses