This
week I was fortunate enough to work with a fourth grade classroom. The teacher in this classroom wanted to look
for ways to differentiate her reading centers. We decided to take small bites
& start with one center at a time. She needs all of her students to
complete work in the Vocabulary Center every Monday, because students use this vocabulary
foldable in a reading notebook throughout the week. So we decided to start there! When students go
to the Vocabulary Centers on Monday, they see a set of cards on a ring. Depending
on their reading group (based on reading levels), students complete a different
color of card. The approaching reading group completes the red card, her
on-level groups complete the green card, and her beyond group completes the
blue card. Students know which color card to complete because each reading
group has its own color theme. I’ve also included a blank yellow card for the
teacher to customize. Visit my TPT store to download this FREEBIE!
Students love
going to centers/workstations (or whatever you choose to call them).
However, teachers don’t always love them! Our
students need something to work on independently while we meet with small
groups, and we want students engaged with meaningful activities. But, the
planning and organization of workstations can be overwhelming for many teachers.
So what’s an effective solution?
Meet Debbie Diller! This educator has
published books with time-saving solutions for work station management. She
suggests consistent stations that stay up in your classroom all year. No
more frantically creating (or finding) centers each week! Some of the stations
she describes in her books are classroom library, buddy reading, big book,
poetry, newspaper, writing, etc. She suggests different stations depending on
the level of your students (primary or intermediate). She also explains
the teaching and behavior management thoroughly. I would recommend her products
to anyone who has felt the frustration that running centers can cause.
I have created a
set of posters that correlate with Diller’s workstations. This
center set includes 24 signs with various elementary literacy skills. Most
stations have 4 signs that can rotate daily. (Bonus signs are included if you
need an extra fifth day activity.) All signs can be reused weekly. I put a
clear sheet protector in my centers and switched which poster I put in the
sleeve daily.
Stations included in this packet are: Classroom Library, Writing, Buddy
Reading, Poetry, Word Work, Article, Game, & Computer. You can find the
intermediate posters in my TPT store at: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Literacy-Work-Station-Signs
You can get posters for
the primary level (these are differentiated) at:
While you’re here, grab
my FREEBIE! I’ve created center rotation cards to go with my posters. Get them here!
