Using Stations in the Secondary Classroom

In secondary, stations are things you watch on television and centers are where you shop! Plain. And. Simple.  However, I was recently working with a teacher who said I want to do some stations in my class.  She wanted hands on activities that covered numerous topics.  I said "Let's do it."  We set about creating stations for test review (which is a perfect place to start).  Beware--it will take some time the first go around for prep.  However, once you have the routine it will be so easy in the future.
Here is how we go the ball rolling....
1. Brainstorm what concepts you want covered
2. Research hands on and out the box activities for those concepts.  There are already great resources just WAITING for you!!  Check out some ideas here.
3. Create a document that guides students and provides accountability.
4. Create a flow map and directions for each station.  Collaborate with a teaching partner to work out kinks.
5. Double check to make sure you are ready and prepare your students for the experience.
6. Go find success and reflect on changes for next time.

If you think about it, learning stations and centers are EXACTLY what we should we doing.  We are often encouraged to have students moving around, engaged in small group activities that provide hands on learning.  Sounds perfect, right?  Then why do secondary teachers shy away from doing center in class?   I think it is the idea that stations are "too elementary."  Isn't good teaching good teaching?

Until next month....