AASD Tech Coach Newsletter
Integrating Technology into the Classroom
Station Rotation in the Classroom
The term station rotation describes an educational method in which students alternate between learning activities. Through this method, students can engage in structured learning tasks while engaging with different materials. Mathematics, science, social studies and literacy can all benefit from station rotation. Teachers use the station rotation model because it allows students to conduct a wide variety of activities within one class period. The following are some examples of station rotation in action:
In a math class- A great acronym to use for math stations is M.A.T.H. which stands for M-Meet with the teacher, A-At your desk, T-Technology, and H-Hands-On. Each letter is a math station. For example: M-Direct/ Guided practice with new content, A-Complete a worksheet from a previous concept to build in spiral review. T-Students use their Chromebooks to utilize Get More Math. H-Students work in pairs to complete a math activity that involves using mathematical concept in a real-life situation.
In a science class, students might rotate through stations where they conduct experiments, observe and record data, use technology to explore science concepts, and engage in hands-on activities. For example: The teacher-led station: students are presented with a bite-size chunk of new information and/or debriefed as a small group. Online station: Tell Me Why (Use Flipgrid: What is happening? Why is it happening? What questions do you have?). Field Work station: students interact with hands-on material. Flash card station: students create flash cards using index cards out of their vocab words.
In an ELA class, students might rotate through stations where they read independently, complete an open-ended prompt/ grammar based activities, complete an online assignment from an adaptive learning website (e.g. IXL), and participate in group discussions with the classroom teacher.
Each station rotation would be scheduled by the teacher, and instructions and materials would be provided. In order to follow this sequence, a number of stations will be established beforehand, each of which will have a set amount of time for students to spend at it. This approach allows for a more engaging and diverse learning experience and can be tailored to meet the needs of different students. To set the ground rules for the station rotation activity, it is important for the teacher to discuss the norms and expectations with the students.
Station Rotation Infographic
My class periods are too short! How can I implement station rotation?
Rotate your classroom with Station Rotation Model
1. The first thing you should do is review your week's independent activities. Is it possible to implement a station rotation with your independent activities?
2. Second, make sure one station is teacher-led. Direct/guided instruction can be implemented at this station.
3. Lastly, if it is the first time you are implementing station rotation, choose an anchor, skill or, topic that is familiar to the students. This will help students get acclimated to the process of station rotation.
Example Stations:
Teacher-Led Station - Offline Station - Online Station
Catlin Tucker. (2022). Q What are some tips for planning and preparing for stations? [Video].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-swi4-woPVw
Station Rotation Testimonial
Mr. Vlahakis, a high school social studies teacher, shares his experience using the model:
“While I mostly use Edpuzzle outside the classroom, sometimes when we do stations I set up an Edpuzzle station. One station may be direct instruction from a teacher, another station might have Chromebooks set up so that students can complete a 5-minute Edpuzzle video, and a couple other stations with independent book work.”
"Today in our taught pre-ap social studies class, @ktomiak413 and we did 3 map stations, 1 lecture/notes station, and 1 @edpuzzle station (8 min/station). #richinStations #movement pic.twitter.com/xptpDUnd9G."
With older students, you could even take out the teacher-led station and instead, walk around the room monitoring you students. As students work and move from one station to another, you can check in with groups or individual students, to see how they’re progressing.
Worried that the station rotation model would make classroom management more difficult? An Edpuzzle station can actually help to keep the classroom focused. As Mr. Vlahakis puts it:
“The Edpuzzle station not only accomplishes some direct instruction via video, it serves as a silencer in the room. When one station is plugged in, they are naturally not talking or interacting with other students, making all of the other interactions in the room easier to manage.”
— Mr. Vlahakis (@MrV_history) September 10, 2019
https://www.controlaltachieve.com/2023/01/creating-photo-words-with-google-slides.html
Tips to Manage Screen Time in the Classroom
Nick Caminit, Ed.D.
Email: ncaminiti@altoonasd.com
Website: https://bit.ly/aasdtechcoach1
Location: Altoona Area Junior High School, 7th Avenue, Altoona, PA, USA
Phone: 7105
Twitter: @N_Caminiti