There are normally at least four stations spread throughout the class depending on student numbers and physical class size.
What are they?
Activity centers provide the context for teaching transformative and holistic learning where students social, emotional, physical AND academics are grown. If planned thoughtfully, activity stations are a means for promoting fairness, harmony, inclusion and academic excellence.
ENCOURAGES ACTIVE PARTICIPATION: conversations, activities, reading, writing
HELPS STUDENTS: relax, take risks, use energy, discover, express individuality
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: greater content covered, and more engagement possibilities
ASSIST STUDENTS as they practice a particular skill that they need help with
STUDENTS LEARN BEST THROUGH PLAY
CAN ASSIST STRUGGLING STUDENTS OR ADVANCED
DEVELOPS GROUP SKILLS:
GROUPINGS: pairs, similar learning levels, varied abilities, groups of 4,5, 6?
TIME: how long? Will student rotate through ALL stations?
CONTENT: Will all students explore the same learning? How much space do you need/have?
ANSWERS: How will students display learning? e.g. sheet, poster, build, draw
TECHNOLOGY to include or not?
TRANSITIONS: prepare students, try to make seamless, avoid too many choices
TEACHER: What is your role? e.g. observe, take-notes, trouble-shoot, ask Q's, introduce vocab.
SUBJECTS: Can focus on one subject or incorporate a theme across a few subjects
Set-up in advance, trial stations, explain thoroughly
Give students opportunities to discuss with each other and teacher, during and after station learning
Determine what students already know or don't and thoughtfully plan discovery opportunities
almost any rich learning opportunity can be translated into a learning station
as students are exposed more and more to stations they will gain more
as a teacher reflect on stations and what needs to be changed or altered - they can be repeated
refer to any good journal or research article
copies found in Australian Journal of Teacher Education:
Embedding Play-Based Learning into Junior Primary (Year 1 and 2) Curriculum in WA
Stations will support students learning, it is not meant to be an
entire educational system, but rather to be integrated with other learning opportunities
Play nourishes every aspect of children's development - it forms the foundation of intellectual, social, physical and emotional skills necessary for success in school and life. Play 'paves the way for learning'.