Why Use Stations in Secondary Classrooms?

Have you thought about using stations (math centers) in your classroom, but aren't sure if they are for you?

Do any of these questions describe you?

• How do I get started?
• What types of activities should I use?
• How many stations do I need?
• Don't stations require a lot of time to set up?
• What if I don't have a lot of space in my classroom?
• How should students rotate from station to station?
• Isn't it chaotic having students moving around the room working on different things?
• Do stations really benefit students or is this just a different teaching method?
• How am I going to grade all of that student work?

These are all great questions!

Getting Started

What types of activities should I use?

Start simple.  As you become more comfortable using stations, you can build and expand on them.  Personally, I like to incorporate variety into stations work.  Think: reading, writing, manipulatives, digital format, traditional format, puzzles, task cards, problem trails, partner and independent work, student creations, instructional videos ...  

Begin with a few activities you already have so you don't have to create everything.  This can be as simple as placing a favorite worksheet at station one, a cut and paste puzzle at station two, a set of task cards at station three, and a QR code linked to an instructional video at station four.  I've created three or four stations from one set of task cards simply by splitting them into separate topics or levels of difficulty.

How many stations do I need?

You can start with just two or three tasks if you want.  My preference is to use four to six stations.  This way, there are never more than a few students at any location at one time.  In my experience, more than six stations would take too much time for students to finish.  Of course this is largely dependent on the length of a class period, the ability level of your students, and the types of activities you decide to use.

Don't stations require a lot of time to set up?

Setting up stations should be easy.  Write the station number on a paper or card and post it where you put the materials.  Trays, file folders, tubs, any sort of containers, or a hanging file will work great to keep things organized.  Also, you can just set the materials on a counter or desk.  Sometimes, all you need is a single paper with instructions for students.  Perhaps, you want them to watch an instructional video or complete an assignment online, which saves paper and facilitates set-up.  Students can read the instructions, go to their device, and get busy.

What if I don't have a lot of space in my classroom?

In a small classroom, you do need to be creative when it comes to station set-up.  Here are some solutions that may work for you:

How should students rotate from station to station?

I know some teachers who have students remain seated and pass the materials around from group to group instead of having students move.  My preference is to place materials around the room.  Then, I assign each student to a starting location and they move along in a circular pattern.  Students move along when they are ready.  I don't time this.  Remember that more challenging stations will take more time than easier ones.  For this reason, you may require students to complete a few more questions at the easier station.

Isn't it chaotic having students moving around the room working on different things?

Most of the station work I do is independent work with an occasional partner activity included.  I've found that students focus better when working independently or with only one other person.  However, this is a personal decision each teacher makes that depends on the types of stations being used.

In my experience, station work is not at all chaotic.  (I was surprised, too!)  Kids tend to be super-focused on their own task when everyone is doing something slightly different. 😄 

Do stations really benefit students or is this just a different teaching method?

I have been won over by stations.  My students seem to accomplish more while maintaining better focus when they are doing station work.  They often solve far more problems and are more on task than when doing a traditional assignment.  Of course, we don't do this every day.  If we did, it might lose its effectiveness.  I try to incorporate stations work into each chapter in some way.  Stations can be used very effectively as review.  Adding in a "Meet with the Teacher" station will allow you to touch base with each student to provide additional support or enrichment.

How am I going to grade all of that student work?

I believe in creating stations that are mostly, if not entirely, self-checking.  This allows students to work, check, seek help as needed, and move along.  I was skeptical about how this would work when I began using stations, but it has worked very well for me.  If I grade the work, it is for completion only.

I've come to love "stations days" and I enjoy creating them.  Kids look forward to these days as well.  I hope you give this a try!  Please let me know if you have questions I can help you with by leaving a comment!