FAQs: Workstations
12:21 PMLet's dive in! You've thrived over the last two months and everything seems to be going well.
However, there are always questions that teachers get/have about their stations.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: WORKSTATIONS
- How do you keep all kids working at the same time? This comes in steps...
- Model! Model! Model!
- Even if you think there is even an "outside chance" of something going wrong, MODEL how to avoid it or fix it!
- Keep it engaging
- Worksheets CAN be in workstations, but try to mix it up!
- Throw in some technology
- Add games that are on concept
- Let the kids pick their stations!
- Where do YOU come up with the stations?
- Pinterest - Use it. Love it.
- Teachers Pay Teachers - If you haven't heard, it's a site where you can shop for teacher created materials. There are MILLIONS of items, many of which a free, that you can use in your classroom. It's all digital so you can just download, print, and go!
- Teachers you know! Y'all are the experts. Collaborate!
- Make your own. You know the skills! Make a set of cards. Add a Candy Land set ... BOOM! Get creative!
- How do you grade the workstations? I don't. Workstations are meant for PRACTICE. I don't grade practice. It's just a means to progress towards a goal. I assess when we are trying to meet goals. Each activity within the stations is meant to lead to reaching goals. That's it!
- What do you do when kids just WON'T participate in stations and disrupt? Okay, this is a legitimate question. I highly recommend having a SOLID discipline plan. Please remember that "discipline" is not a negative unless you make it one. It means to "train" just like someone who is working out.
- Have expectations set as a group.
- When they are not met, have a plan.
- Is the student having an 'off' day?
- Do they need a break from their group?
- What's motivating the issue?
- Would taking a break and reading a book solve the problem?
- Would it be beneficial to allow them to have a Hans' (Solo) day?
- Follow through with the plan.
- IF THE PLAN DOESN'T WORK, pick something else.
- What if one student is BEYOND the station level? CONGRATULATIONS! You have a tutor! Get that kid over to help teach! The best evidence of learning/understanding is the ability to teach the concept.
- Some days are just hard... for everyone. Know your children. Sometimes they need a break from learning ... give it to them.
- Send a message to another teacher that they will deliver
- Send them to the bathroom
- Send them to the water fountain
- Ask them to help organize something in your room
- Give them a drawing pass
- Let them take a nap
- This has happened in my room. One of my kids didn't sleep well due to parents fighting. Every day during stations, I would let him take a nap behind my desk. I brought in pillows and blankets that I hid under my desk. I made sure his guided reading rotation was at the end of the time so he could get as much sleep as possible. It was transformative!
- Let them play
- They are still only kids. Some days need to be more about that then academics.
Remember, workstations are supposed to help the students practice and help you have a free moment to grab a group for reading. Make them purposeful and practical. It's only for practice!
Until next time!
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