Literacy Stations for ELLs
I simply love using stations in my classroom. The students are very engaged with the activity, and it is a great way to create independence in your classroom. The students, with the proper routines and procedures, are engaged and working efficiently. Here are some stations that I use in my classroom to promote independence and to encourage academic achievement.
The first station that I use is vocabulary station. At the vocabulary stations I usually have different activities the students can do. For example, I have a vocabulary activity called Scrabble Tiles. The students use scrabble tiles to spell out vocabulary words. Then they use those words in sentences. Another activity that I have at one of the stations station is Rainbow Write. With Rainbow Write the students write the vocabulary words in different colors, and use vocabulary words in in sentences and in stories.
The second station that I have in my classroom is a writing station. This is one of my favorite station to use with ELLs. At the writing station the students have various writing activities that they can choose. For example, one of the activities of the students can do is called Roll a Story. I give the students a setting, a problem, and ending and they write a story about it also one of the writing activities that they do is whole class journal.
The third station that I have in my classroom is a listening station. I usually check-out audiobooks from the library for the students. The students will then listen to the books and complete a reading response form about the book. There are also free options through your public library.
If you implement stations in your classroom remember to have procedures in place to ensure the success of literacy. Think about your expectations and implement them with fidelity.
4 Comments
Donna Augusta
What age and what level do you use these activities with? I teach high school students ages 15 to 19, newcomers. I find it difficult to manage stations because I can’t seem to get the timing right. Some groups/activities finish quickly and then they are waiting around for the others to finish before they can rotate. How do you get the timing right?
Millie
Hey Donna!
This is such a great question! I teach middle school and found this strategy to work the best.
I set a timer for 15-20 minutes at each station (I love the cheap ones from Ikea). They were not to move until the time is up. However, I had several activities they can complete at a station. So at the writing station they could write in the class journal, roll a story, or write a letter. I set the expectation that if they finish an activity at one station they need to completed a different activity at that same station. The goal is to work for the 15-20 minutes without breaking stamina. Then at the end of the 15-20 minutes the whole class rotates. Let me know if you need some ideas for some stations you can do with that age group. I can also take pictures of my station cart and post them.
Natalie Cabinda
I love your station idea and also teach high school ELLs. I pan to try the out and see what happens. I currently do most of the activities you listed but it might be more student-centered if I try stations. Thank you for sharing these ideas.
Millie
Hey Natalie! When you try it out let me know how it works out and you are so welcome:)