How do I create Word Work centers?

Word Work is by far my students' favorite time of the day! They just love writing in unconventional ways and creating silly words. In Kindergarten we start Word Work with simple letter recognition, sound practice, and writing the alphabet. As the year progresses, the difficulty increases in our word work centers. Our year looks something like this:

alphabet practice
names of classmates
site words
CVC words
sneaky E words
Vowel teams/ diphthongs/ digraphs
building sentences

For each step they have many tools to use:

• Alphabet practice- they tote their name tags around the room so they have their own personal alphabet at their disposal. 
• Names- I make a key ring of laminated names for each table consisting of each students' name. 
• Site words- we use the word wall, but I also add their site words onto that key ring. 
• Spelling Patterns- we make an anchor chart on each pattern and I post it on our bathroom door. All the student has to do is refer to the chart and recreate the pattern. 
• Building sentences- they combine ALL tools for this and any other print in our classroom. 

(pictures below)

I've already mentioned how I like to use items in my centers that are commonly found around the home, this way the student can recreate the center easily at home. Same goes for Word Work. If you are looking to create Word Work Centers here are some supplies you might want to keep around:

spoons
cups
chopsticks
letter stickers
letter stamps
fun colorful paper
markers
colored pencils
pencils
regular stickers
play-doh
yarn
old keyboard
poster paint/ bingo paint dotters
water colors
magnets
dry erase boards and markers
newspapers/ magazines

This list could really go on and on, and I encourage you to use Pinterest for innovative ideas!

Shown Above: They are kind of beaten up, however this is a popular center! The bottom cup has a word ending written on it and the top cup has single letters on it (I put about 4 on each top cup). The student spins the top cup around and sounds out the CVC words. 

Shown Above: This is a printed keyboard, I also have old real keyboards which kids just love. Anytime you can give them an artifact not only does it help them put the skill into a practical sense but it makes the task more enjoyable. Anywho, the student selects a word and types it out. This has helped with student logins and with students pecking words out in the computer lab!

Shown Above: This is pretty self explanatory. At home you could do this with magnets on the refrigerator and words written on a sticky note!

Shown Above: YES this is word work! No it doesn't involve words, but does involve fine motor skills or working out those small muscles in our hands. The stronger those muscles are the better handwriting will be. It also is a big brain workout, like a puzzle. See my fine motor skills blog for more fine motor practice. Chopsticks are my kids' favorites for fine motor practice, along with lacing cards.

Shown Above: Newspaper/ Magazine + paint dotter. Students locate and dot their site words. They love this. Another similar one is water color painting site words WITH a paint brush not fingers. This helps for practicing holding a pencil. They really enjoy water color writing!