Multiple Writing Surfaces
Overview
Using multiple writing surfaces promotes collaboration by allowing groups to share information easily as they work. Different surfaces such as easels, chalkboards, and tilted desks can also help stabilize posture for young writers, strengthening their Handwriting Skills. When a variety of writing surfaces are provided, learners 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 space 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.
Books of varying complexity and reading levels are necessary for all students to experience reading success.
With rhyming and creative word use, poetry is a genre that supports the development of early literacy skills in particular.
Students who have had little exposure to the school's language can benefit from having books in their Primary Language in their classroom.
Books with SEL topics, such as developing friendships and identifying emotions, 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 focus and Self-Regulation.
Spaces that are structured, organized, and clean provide increased room for collaboration and active learning.
