Multiple Writing Surfaces
Overview
Multiple writing surfaces promote collaboration by allowing groups to share information easily as they work. When a variety of writing surfaces are provided, learners also have choice in which writing surface they use.
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
Watch how this elementary school uses smart wall paint to allow students to write on the walls and tables with dry erase markers. By painting multiple surfaces with whiteboard paint, students have easy access to a fun writing surface that can also be used collaboratively.
Design It into Your Product
Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.
Learn how products like Post-it Super Sticky Dry Erase Surface allow students and teachers to quickly transform any surface into a whiteboard. By having the flexibility and ease of sticking the dry erase surface on anything, students can creatively write anywhere.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Physical Space Strategies
Dim or natural lighting provides a calming environment.
Having spaces where students can go supports self-regulation and individual deliberate practice.
Multiple tables and chairs on wheels allow for setting up the classroom to support the desired learning outcomes of each classroom activity.
Multiple display spaces promote collaboration by allowing groups to share information easily as they work.
Decreasing extra audio input provides a focused learning environment.
Books for vision differences support reading development for learners with visual needs.
Reading materials of varying complexity and levels are necessary for all students to experience success.
Providing varied types of resources that align with interests of individual students supports overall literacy development.
With figurative language and creative sentence structure, poetry supports the development of a deeper understanding of the different ways language makes meaning.
Books on social and emotional learning (SEL) topics, such as developing empathy and productive persistence, help teach these skills.
Providing ways for students to adjust sound level supports individual auditory needs.
Providing ways for students to meet their individual temperature needs supports Attention and Inhibition & Self-Regulation.
Spaces that are structured, organized, and clean provide increased room for collaboration and active learning.
