Now that you've got your Rotation Framework figured out and planned (check out this post for more info!) it's time to look at preparing your Word Work Center.
Word Work is by far my favorite center. There are SO MANY ways to make this hands on for students, and it's an ideal place to offer CHOICE to students! No more staring at the ceiling waiting for the timer to end. Plus, it totally streamlines your prep - WIN!
I've mentioned previously how I am a total 'more is more' person. You may not want to offer this many choices in your rotations and that is totally fine. I introduce 2-3 word work activities a week at the beginning of the year. The skills changes but the center stays the same. Which means I teach it once, and we are good for the year. Mid year I might swap out ones that are often unused for some new ones, just to keep it fresh and keep students engaged.
Storage and Set Up
I store our Word Work centers in Iris Drawers. They are 6 drawer carts, but I removed one drawer so they would fit in my cabinet. I also use the 3 drawer Sterlite Drawers stacked on top of each other.
Each drawer is labeled with the Rotation (I also have AIR and Writing in the same area, so this helps students know where to go), and what the activity is.
Some common printable activities I use are:
Word searches by skill
HFW color by code
Rainbow Writing
I also rely on a selection of non prep activities. My students use their microphase word lists for each of these activities. These drawers have a picture of a word list on the label to remind students they need a word list for their work.
play-doh
wiki stix
glow tablets
magnets
stamps
sand tracing
Differentiation
The best thing about this system is it requires VERY minimal prep, and students LOVE it. The worksheet drawers are whole group skills or review whole group skills. The word list drawers are perfect for differentiation, because each student is using their microphase word list. Students grab their word list and complete the activity. Once the initial drawers are set up, this runs itself. No prep from week to week!
Students also get exposed to word work in their bins, but those activities are more focused. The games in their pouches align to their microphase or review skills their group needs. I use their red MUST DO folders for worksheets that are individualized. Red folder worksheets get turned in to me every Thursday.
These activities are NOT all introduced at once. They are introduced at the beginning of the year one at a time, usually 2 or 3 a week depending on the complexity of the work. Mid year I might switch out some activities that aren't getting as much love. Every group is different. Some years students LOVE magnets, and other years they don't get touched at all.
I hope some of the ideas here have helped you! Stay tuned for more information on rotations and set up!
