Do your students struggle to keep writing beyond a few sentences, losing focus or energy too quickly? This easy-to-set-up station encourages students to gradually increase their writing time in a fun, engaging way, without overwhelming them. In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of a writing stamina station and offer practical tips on setting it up in your classroom. Get ready for your students to surprise you with their writing growth! -or- Get ready to watch your students' confidence and writing endurance grow with each session!
What is a Stamina Station, and Why are K-2 Teachers Moving Toward This Strategy?
A writing stamina station is an area in your classroom filled with writing tools, templates and prompts. Students use these resources to practice their independent writing skills, hopefully with increasing stamina.
K-2 teachers are steering towards writing stamina stations to support early writing skill and confidence, creativity and development by offering low-pressure, consistent opportunities to write freely. A stamina stations differs from a traditional writing station by using the same, consistent templates each month.With this approach, the, “How do I do this?” confusion is gone, and independent writing time focused on actual writing!
When and How Often to Use a Stamina Station?
The stamina station can be used in a few different ways:
- As the independent writing station during your ELA block.
- Independent writing practice for the rest of the class while you confer with individual students or small groups.
- An early finishers option
- Morning work-set out different templates/prompts each morning as seat work. What a nice, calm way to start the day!
However you decide to use a writing stamina station in your classroom, the main goal is to up the amount of time students spend writing. At the start of the year, the expectation could be students work with materials from the stamina station for 5 minutes. Then, increase to 10 minutes, etc.
Students do not need to turn in their writing completed at the stamina station. The main goal is to build up their writing confidence, stamina and skills. However, they may want to bring this writing home and share what they've accomplished!
What to Include in Your Stamina Station
We've discussed what a writing stamina station is, and how to implement it in your classroom, now let's dive into what materials to include.
Writing Tools
Students love writing with fun utensils, but they need to earn them. Let me explain. At the beginning of the year, they use their own pencils/coloring materials while working in the writing station. Then, as the year goes on and students demonstrate positive behavior and increased writing stamina, I add some fun pens, markers, etc to the writing tools bucket.
Besides fun utensils, your stamina station can include:
- Blank paper
- Lined paper
- Monthly/seasonal writing prompts
- Anchor charts/visual aids
- Handwriting practice (in the beginning of the year)
Monthly Prompts
Changing out your stamina station prompts with each month and season keeps your students engaged and excited to write about new things. The perk of using the Lucky to Learn Writing stamina station templates is although the prompts change for each season and month, the template structure remains the same. Model them in the beginning of the year, and students are set for the rest of the school year!
The prompts I use at my stamina station include:
- Lists
- All About…
- Tell Me About…
- Acrostic Poems
- Are, Can, Have
- Song lyrics
- Letter wrting
- Note stationary
- Reviews
- Monthly word list
- This or that?
- What's happening here?
- How to prompts
Incorporate Technology
Incorporating tech tools into your writing station can be beneficial. Try using apps that will help struggling writers get their thoughts on paper (or screen). Some apps to consider are Write Reader, Book Creator or Google Docs Voice Typing (for students with ideas that struggle with the motor skills of writing.)
Educator note: While using technology is a hit with students, be on the lookout for students relying too heavily on these tools during writing time.
Another, simpler use of technology is to have a kid friendly timer app. This will allow them to set writing time goals. Check out this free visual timer in the app store.
Story Starters
Add some flair to your writing station with additional story starters and resources to spark ideas.
Magazine Picture File
In college, a professor introduced me to the idea of a picture file. This is a simple file full of interesting and colorful magazine pictures. Students are allowed to reach into the file only twice (otherwise they will be pulling out pictures the entire station time). Once they have selected a photo, they can glue or tape it into their writing notebook and either write a story about it, write how they connect to the photo or write a five senses description of the photo (it sounds like, it looks like, etc…).
Anchor Charts & Writing Checklists
Adding anchor charts and writing checklists helps students stick to the skills they need to work on. And, hopefully, can lessen the amount of questions interrupting your student writing conference time. Instead of wandering over to ask you, the anchor chart or checklist (when properly modeled) can provide the answers students need.
Organizing Your Stamina Station
With so many ideas for materials and tools, how can teachers best organize their writing stamina station? Let's look at some creative ideas, many that won't break the budget!
Creative & Themed Ideas
If you are a teacher who loves all things decor, try adding small items to your writing station that you change monthly or seasonally. This could be a bulletin border, paper decor (snowflakes, little pumpkins, etc) or items from the Dollar Store. If allowed, add some twinkle lights or a small lamp for ambience.
Personalize this station for your class by adding a student work display.
Budget-Friendly Ideas
It is so easy to let classroom spending go past budget. In order to stick to a lower price tag, and if you feel the need to purchase some items for your stamina station, here are our top affordable picks.
Bins, baskets or stackable trays
You will need containers to house all of the monthly writing templates! At your local dollar store, you will find several options! If you wish to order these items, here are some teacher loved choices:
5 Tier Organizer
Cute (comes in a few colors) and functional and doesn't take up a lot of space.
Set of 5 Baskets
A classroom staple!
Flat Storage Trays
Stack these together and carry them down to the copy room for easy center stuffing!
Labels for Everything
Keep the stamina station organized by labeling each supply drawer and monthly writing template. Using labels with kid-friendly font allows ease of use!
Where and How to Set Up a Stamina Station in Different-Sized Classrooms
No two classrooms are shaped or setup just alike! Finding a space for a writing station in your classroom can be challenging. Here are some possible solutions.
Lots of Space
If you are blessed with lots of classroom space, try using a nook or corner of the classroom that you can adorn with your anchor charts, visuals, checklists, decor and a student work display area. If available, add a bookshelf to house all of the writing materials. Soft pillows, cushions, small chairs or a coffee table can add to the comfortable feel of the space.
Limited Space
Most teachers find themselves cramped for space, so the thought of adding yet another center is overwhelming. However, there are a couple options for creating a small (and somewhat portable) writing stamina station.
Rolling Cart
This cart can be easily tucked against the classroom wall, taking up minimal space.
Set of 6 Lap Desks
Using lap desks allows students to independently write around the room comfortably.
1 Hour Workshop to Watch on Your Schedule!
From Sentences to Stories: Building Writing Stamina & Skill
Designed for primary teachers who want practical, actionable strategies you can immediately use in your classroom.
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