Work Station Wheel

This is my literacy work station wheel. I plan to create one like it for math stations this year. After a few weeks of using it, the kids don't even have to look where they go. The stations usually last about 12-15 minutes (usually when I am done with my small group). I ring my bell and have a 1 minute clean-up time, then I ring it again and they can go to their next station.We do 2-3 stations per day usually. The work station labels are velcro-ed on so that I can interchange some of my stations throughout the year. I change the partners out every 9 weeks.

Paper plate game

Student made game- Use 3 paper plates to have a double-sided game. (Use 2 paper plates if your just doing one-sided.) Have children fold the paper plate in half, then cut into 2 of the paper plates like an X to the inner circle. Glue the uncut paper plate in between the two cut plates on the edges only. Use coin clipart for children to cut out heads and tails of each coin, then glue on the flaps. I use one side for heads and one side for tails. Under each flap, have what the coin is and what it is worth. I have this already typed out for the kids to use. It's hard for some kids to write that small.

To play game: The students have to say what each coin is and what it is worth. Then they open the flap and look under it to self-check themselves.

Sorting and Graphing Coins

Sorting coins on a work mat


Graphing coins

Ten Little Ladybugs Class Book

10 Little Ladybugs class book- The children work in partners for this book. Have children come up with something that comes along on each page. It's more fun that way and it makes it their own. After they make their page, use red paint to do their fingerprints for the ladybugs. Use sharpie to finish the ladybugs after the paint dries.

Title Page- Ten Little Ladybugs, by (Your Class)
Page 1- 10 little ladybugs sitting on a sign, along came a ___ then there were...
Page 2- 9 little ladybugs standing tall and straight, along came a ____ then there were...
Page 3- 8 little ladybugs, one named Kevin, along came a ____ then there were...
Page 4- 7 little ladybugs doing funny tricks, along came a ____ then there were...
Page 5- 6 little ladybugs ready to take a dive, along came a ____ then there were...
Page 6- 5 little ladybugs scampering on the floor, along came a ____ then there were...
Page 7- 4 little ladybugs with their friend Miss Bee, along came a ____ then there were...
Page 8- 3 little ladybugs in the sky so blue, along came a ____ then there were...
Page 9- 2 little ladybugs having lots of fun, along came a ____ then there was...
Page 10- 1 little ladybug cried, "Poor me!" found her friends...
Page 11- Sitting in a tree!

Dr. Seuss's ABC Book

After reading Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book, we talk about beginning sounds. I assign each child a letter and they brainstorm words that begin with that letter. Then they think of some of those words that could go together to make a phrase or sentence. They can then draw a picture of their sentence. Allow children to get kind of silly; after all, it is Dr. Seuss!
Put the class book in the classroom library so children can read it anytime.

When I Grow Up...

During Community Helper unit, we make a class book, When I Grow Up... The children love reading it in our classroom library.

Playing with Water

Matching words- I put this activity at the word study work station towards the end of the year. (I don't think they could handle it without making a mess in the beginning of the year.) I got the little bath toy animals at Dollar Tree and wrote words on the bottom of them with Sharpie. I had cards with the same words. Use a tub and fill it slightly with water so the toys can float.

For the game- Kids draw 1 card and get a chance to pick 1 of the toys to see it has the matching word. If it does, they keep the match. If not, they put the card and toy back and it's their partners turn. Player at end with most matches, wins!