Selecting Student Groups

  • Keep group sizes small (generally 5-7 students maximum)
  • Reduce the group size to 3-4 for students in need of intensive support
  • Base small groups on instructional need with specific instructional strategies in mind
  • Consider behaviors, attitudes, and work ethics of each student
  • Monitor the progress of high risk students more frequently to make instructional changes or small group changes.

Selecting Activities

  • First, choose a model of how you will structure your stations: Skill Stations, Daily Five, Blended Learning, something else? It will help to be consistent so that students can practice established routines.
  • Choose activities based on your current topic of study and students' needs.
  • Keep in mind: The process of learning is more important than creating a product at each center.  Students need to be accountable for work completed, but there does not always have to be a product.
  • Consider tiering activities to better meet the needs of students at different proficiency levels. Click here for more info about tiering.

Organization of Procedures

Determine procedures for...
  • Managing behavior
  • Moving around the room
  • Getting/returning materials
  • Students asking for help
  • Quiet signal
Students need to know what to do when...
  • Something does not work
  • They do not understand the activity at a center
  • They are finished with the activity
  • They need help
  • It is time to clean up​

Teacher-Led Centers

  • Decide if you would like to have a teacher-led center. See below for more information.
  • Your students should be comfortable and independent with the routines before you begin using a teacher-led center.