Write the Room in Kindergarten

Writing is a foundational skill so many of us teachers take for granted. Write the Room is a casual writing activity that helps students learn vocabulary, practice their handwriting, and get up and moving! 

I use Write the Room as an independent station during my reading groups. In my classroom, I have 5 groups. (4 independent and 1 teacher directed — I meet with each group every day for about 15 minutes!)

Getting Set Up with Write the Room: 

I typically laminate and cut out all of my Write the Room cards for the month. Once laminated, I tape the cards up around different parts of my classroom, trying to keep them eye level for my students. I also try to make sure I don’t put the cards anywhere that the kids shouldn’t be, like behind my desk or in our classroom library. This helps them to not bother you while you’re with another group or interrupt another independent group. 

Next, print and copy the recording sheets. There are 2 versions, blank and traceable. (I always copy my recording sheets for the week, so about 50 of each, but that totally depends on your class size and your copy limit!) 

The different recording sheets are a great way to differentiate this station so every student can participate in this group and feel successful. The traceable version is perfect for those students who need more help with their handwriting or students who may have trouble focusing. However, I always have both versions out and available. I always let them choose which recording sheet they will feel most successful with. I never want my students to think that I don’t think they’re capable of doing something. (With the traceable version, they will try to find a word around the classroom and trace it. Make sure your students aren’t just sitting there tracing the entire paper.)

Setting Expectations for Write the Room:

Now, before you throw them out to wander around the classroom, show them what you expect when they participate in this group. I had all of my students sit at their desk and watch me go through the station. Modeling for my class, I picked up a clipboard, chose a recording sheet, grabbed a pencil, and walked to the words in the classroom. I wrote it neatly on the space and showed them my clipboard while I was walking around. (emphasize the “walking” part!) 

When I first introduce a new station, I take myself out of the rotation to make sure my students are fully understanding. This station is meant to be independent, so you really want to make sure they grasp this!

Finishing Up:

I use a timer to let my students know a station is ending, so when they hear the “beep” they know to clean up and move to the next station. I typically have my students put their Write the Room recording sheets in the Turn In Bin if they are finished. If they didn’t get to finish, they put it in their Unfinished Word Folder and save it for the next day. When students finish before the timer goes off, they are allowed to go to the Early Finisher Bucket and choose an activity from there. 

If you want to check out the exact Write the Room cards I use, click here!