![]() I like to introduce word hunts (or phonogram/spelling pattern hunts) as a station because it can easily be made multi-level once kids know how the routine goes. Do the same thing you did on Day 1 only with a different activity that you can get a lot of use out of. You’ve introduced your first word study station!Īfter several successful days in a row with just one station going, you’ll be ready to introduce another station. Model the kinds of things they might say and do, and reinforce kids when they are doing great work.Īfter just a few minutes of successful time at their stations, use a signal to get their attention, and then model step-by-step exactly how to put all the items back in the containers, and how to put the lid back on, and where to put the container at the end of station time. Encourage kids to talk about the objects they are sorting, and to sort in different ways. Once students are at their stations, you’ll need to circulate and coach. Doing this slowly and consistently from Day 1 will establish nice smooth transitions from the rug to their stations. Then, step-by-step, show the whole class how to take turns sorting objects with a partner or small group.Īfter you’ve demonstrated the activity to the whole class, you’re not done! You still need to teach them explicitly how to walk calmly and quietly from the rug to their station and get right straight to work, without stopping in between. ![]() ![]() (A baking tray is useful for defining the space being used for any activity - a placemat, or big piece of paper works too). Then demonstrate and talk about how to pour the items out carefully onto a tray. Start with kids at the meeting area and demonstrate exactly how to take the lid off the container of little objects. The goal of Day 1 of stations is to teach the routines, very explicitly. There are supply companies that sell little sets of these objects, but you could also ask your students and colleagues to donate things to sort – bottle caps, bread tags, tiles, buttons, little plastic animals or cars, erasers, leftover party favors… anything will do! I like to start with sorting little plastic objects – they can be sorted by shape, color, category, or initial or ending sounds, number of syllables, you name it. Start with one really simple activity that will stay the same at all the stations. Step 1: REALLY Teach the routines of stations. If you’ve been teaching phonics or words study in whole class lessons each day, perhaps you’d be willing to try word study stations.įor a breakdown of what I mean by word study, and for lots of ideas for stations, you might want to pause, go read this post, and then come back to read about launching stations if they are new to your classroom.įOUR STEPS TO LAUNCHING WORD STUDY STATIONS With a smooth running classroom, spring is a great time to try something new with your students. All that beginning of the year stuff is finally clicking. You know who will make great partners, and who might need a little extra time. They know where the materials are, where to sit, how to transition from one activity to another–and you know THEM so much better. Your students are at the stage where they know you and your classroom and how things work inside and out. But I would like to submit that now is actually a GREAT time to try something new. Imagine our surprise when it only took a few stern looks and gestures for Indie to learn not to go on the new couch! We put one of his dog beds right next to the couch, and now he looks longingly at the couch, but settles for his bed.īy now, in mid-April, students have become so accustomed to the routines and expectations in your classroom that it may seem impossible that you could teach them any more “new tricks.” Many students (and teachers) are starting to think in terms of endings and wrapping up–certainly not trying out an entirely new routine. He’s always been allowed everywhere – beds, couches, laps… but we didn’t want his toenails to scratch up our nice new couch. ![]() So when we recently got a new couch, we were doubtful that we could teach our old dog not to jump up on it. He needs his food softened before he can chew it with his few remaining teeth. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, right? My dog, Indie, is fourteen years old.
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