Centers By Kimberly

I had 5 groups this year. My groups that met with me were not the same groups that worked together at workstations. If I did that, I would have all my low kids working together and they couldn't help each other at workstations. My workstations groups were mixed. I just made sure that I had 3-4 in a group and that when I called a reading group, that still left 2-3 people to work together at stations. Reading with me was not a station on the list. I just called a group when I was ready for them. I saw my lowest 2 groups every day Mon.-Thur. I saw my high group on Mon. to get them started on a chapter book for the week. I gave the high group an assignment to bring back to me on a designated date. Sometimes it was just write the characters, setting, problem, and solution. I met with a group for 20 minutes, so I saw 3 groups a day. On the days I didn't meet with a group, they knew to read the book I gave them to their workstation partner during buddy reading workstation.

Three hours a day will most likely be difficult for the kids to independently stay on task. I also think you will have a hard time finding enough activities for them for that length of time. For 2nd grade, one hour seems to be their limit. You maybe can stretch it a little further, but not much...so 3rd grade might go a little longer depending on your group.

Tell your kids up front what you expect and that if you see problems with workstations and them not working, you will take away the privelege and give them seat work. I had to give my group their work at their seat for one week and BOY did they improve their behavior! They love workstations! ENJOY!