Creating Writing Stations In an ESOL Classroom
ALRI Dec.2001
Writing stations provide students with a variety of writing activities within one class period. The key to having this work smoothly is providing students with simple and clear directions in each station, including a good example of the writing task requested. The teacher should make sure that each that student fully understands the directions before they start moving through the stations. Ask at least one student to reiterate the directions before starting.
Directions to the teacher for a class of 15 students:
Create five writing stations within your classroom. At each station leave three sets of a clear and easy to follow directions for a writing assignment. Provide the student examples in each station of the kind of writing you would like the student to emulate. If you have 15 students, have three sets of writing directions in each station and three writing examples for the students to read. Set a time limit for students to work at each station. Ten minutes at each station for example. After 10 minutes students must rotate to the next station. If the students haven’t finished, assign the work for homework or have students revise the work in the next class.
Directions to the student
You will see five writing areas set up in your classroom. In each “station” read the directions and the example. Do not copy the assignment but use it to help you get a better idea of what to do. You can ask your teacher for help if you have any questions. Don’t write on the materials in the station so the teacher can use them again.
Some suggestions for activities in each writing Station:
1. Write a postcard to your legislators.
Look at the list of state representatives of the town where you live. Write a postcard about your opinion on the issue of concern. Mention where you live and your name, and explain what you want your legislator to do.
Look at the list of issues.
Write a letter to an editor of a newspaper. Explain your opinion on the issue.
Think about something in your work, home or in your neighborhood you would like to change. What is necessary for change to happen? Think of one idea for change and write the steps necessary for the change to become a reality. Your idea would make your work, your home or your neighborhood better.
Station Four
Read a letter written by a student named Renata. Write a response to her letter. Give her advice.
My name is Renata. I have two children and I work as a housekeeper. I don’t have a lot of money and I don’t have much time to study English. I never practice English at home and I hardly practice at work. I work so hard and I am always tired. How can I make more money and get a better job? I feel I can’t communicate with anyone outside my Brazilian community. Please help me.
You write to Renata and give her some ideas to help her with her problem.
Dear Renata,
Look at the Pictures: Decide which picture comes first second and third. Create a story about the characters using the pictures as a reference point. Write the story with a clear beginning, middle and end. Use your imagination.
(note to teacher) Choose three pictures that are not related at all, or three pictures that are clearly related. You can use pictures from the newspaper, from magazines or from your personal picture file.