⭐️ Let’s talk about how to FOSTER STUDENT INDEPENDENCE with reading stations and independent station schedules.
READING STATIONS
⭐️ When it comes to getting students to navigate their own to-do list during reading stations or during any other time of the day as well as getting them to stay on task when you’re not available to redirect them to do so, that can be a REAL challenge. I want to share with you how I’ve been able to create successful and productive student independence in my classroom using a STATIONS SCHEDULE for independent work time.
WHAT ARE STATIONS?
⭐️ This is essentially the framework that I use for my kiddos to have an independent work block each week while I meet with small groups, intervention groups, etc. I wanted a simple structure full of flexibility! This is it!
⭐️ Each week, my kiddos go to 4 different stations TWICE in the span of 3 days. Those 4 stations include: Read to Self, Word Work, Work on Writing, and Technology. We do these stations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and we do 3 stations each day. During this time, I want my students to learn to read, write, & work independently!
HOW DO THEY WORK?
⭐️ I have the kiddos split into 4 different station groups. I group them alphabetically, but you can modify that in a way that best fits your kids. My 1s might start at Read to Self, 2s might start at Work on Writing, etc. They spend 15 minutes at each station, a timer goes off, and they rotate to the next.
⭐️ I am not one of the stations. I am free during this time so I can pull any student(s) I need to & work with them on whatever is needed.
WHAT ARE THE KIDS WORKING ON DURING STATIONS?
⭐️ During Read to Self, students are reading and responding to a text. If they finish that – they read! During Work on Writing, students are writing! Sometimes to a prompt, sometimes finishing writing from the week, & sometimes just free writing in a writing journal. During Word Work, they’re working on their spelling words, sight words, vocabulary words, etc! As long as they’re practicing words, that’s okay with me! And during Technology, my students are working on lesson goals using district-required technology resources. We use Lexia & iReady – both of which are differentiated.
A FEW OTHER NOTES
⭐️ Essentially, each week, the kids are going to 9 different stations – usually over 3 days, 3 each day – but again, modify to make it work for you! Eight of those stations are the 4 stations twice and then I build in a “Work on Reading” which is essentially a catch-up station. The kids get to work on whatever they need to finish for the week.
⭐️You can CLICK HERE to snag the station schedules and station helpers in my shop.
⭐️ Please be sure to follow me on IG – I have a story highlight saved full of questions and answers to what these stations look like in my room!
I hope this framework helps your kiddos soar to independence, too!
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