Thoughtful Thursdays will be posts about what I’m thinking about (or things you’re thinking about!).

I’ve been staring at my Literacy Work Station organization charts and I think I need some new labels:

I like the labels I have because they are easy to read, but they are all different sizes and some are handmade and some aren’t! 🙂

How many of you have read Debbie Diller’s Literacy Work Station book?

My blogging friend Jennifer at Teaching with Grace is doing a summer book study about Debbie Diller’s book and I told her I would talk about my experiences with the management of the Work Stations.

This year, my kiddos rotated through one Work Station each day for about 20 minutes.  Next year, they will be rotating through 2 Work Stations for 15 minutes each.

I did like one Work Station per day because I could use my activities for about a month before switching them out.  That required a lot less work on my part, but I felt like the kids could have been doing more in that time.  I also felt like if they had a little less time and a little more work, they would be a little more on task. 🙂

This year, they will go through 2 15 minute rotations and although it will probably require a little bit more work on my part, I think my kiddos will get so much more out of Work Stations.

I will probably create something similar to this pocket chart (you can get it at Really Good Stuff), but mine will look a little different because I have some different work stations.

Generally though, my Work Stations will rotate very similar to the ones in this chart.  I usually keep the stations in the same place and rotate the children’s names through, and I think I can make that work with a chart like this.

I teach my children early on how to “read” the name of the Work Station and where to find the matching pictures in the classroom.  I make the cards in the chart about the size of a 3×5 index card and the pictures around the room that label the Work Stations are 8 1/2 x 11 so they are easy to see.

When we first begin Work Stations, my assistant and I circulate around the room to make sure everyone understands what they should be doing.  I start Work Stations when we have been in school for 3-4 weeks.  Until then, we are usually learning other procedures, taking restroom breaks, or working on our getting to know you items.

Pretty soon, when I tell the children it is time for Literacy Work Stations, they jump right up and check the chart (see top of this post) and get right to their Work Stations.

If you scroll down a bit on my blog under “Categories”, you will see a link for all my posts about Literacy Work Stations and activities I’ve put in them in the past 5 years.

Let me know if you have any questions about Literacy Work Stations or the management of them.

Kristen 🙂