Literacy Work Stations http://bisdelementaryliteracypartners.yolasite.com/

Learning Objectives for Today Establish a clear vision about literacy workstations and their purpose. Clarify processes and protocols that will facilitate implementation of the literacy workstations. Develop ways to incorporate technology into workstations that will provide meaningful and purposeful authentic student tasks and products.

What is a Literacy Work Station? A literacy workstation is an area within the classroom where students work alone or interact with one another, using instructional materials to explore and expand literacy. ( Diller, 2003)

Literacy Work Stations verses Traditional Learning Centers Literacy Work Stations Traditional Learning Centers -Materials are taught and use for instruction first. Then they are placed in the work station for independent use. -New materials were often placed in the center with out being used in teaching. The teacher may have shown how to use the materials once but they were often introduced with all the other new center materials at once. -Stations remain set up all year long. Materials are changed to reflect children’s reading levels, strategies, being taught, and topics being studied. -Centers were often changed weekly with units of study. -Stations are used for students’ meaningful independent work and are an integral part of each child’s instruction. All students go to work stations daily. -Centers were often used by students when they finished their work. Centers were used for fun and motivation or something extra -All students did the same activities at centers. There was not usually much differentiation. -Materials are differentiated for students with different needs and reading level. -If the teacher met with small groups, each group often did the same task. -The teacher meets with small flexible groups for guided reading or skills instruction during literacy workstations.

Grow your Work Stations from your Whole group Instruction

Digital Learning Platform

Mini Lessons - Short and Focused (5 to10 minutes) Explicit Types of Mini Lessons Beginning of the year how tos Introducing a work station After adding something new Structure of Genres Reviewing work station activities Anchor charts

Gradual Release of Responsibility Modeling – through the use of read alouds, modeled writing, shared reading, guided writing and mini-lessons Guided – Students practice with teacher in guided reading, writing groups or mini-lessons Independence – Students work independently at work stations with materials and strategies previously taught.

“Anchor Charts” What is an “Anchor Chart”? An anchor chart outlines or describes procedures, processes, and strategies pertaining to the skill or thinking that you want the students to place in their minds as “anchors” when working independently. They are great transitions from mini lesson to workstation.

Principles for Teaching with Literacy Work Stations Focus on practice and purpose, not the stuff Link to your teaching Slow down to speed up Balance process and product Less is more. Don’t put out too much at once Use Novelty Simplify

Literacy Workstations in Action While teachers are working with small guided reading and skills groups, students work independently at workstations that provide meaningful literacy activities.

Literacy Work Stations The Focus of Literacy Work Stations

I used to think…Now I think… Thinking… I used to think…Now I think… http://padlet.com/teresa_lawson/uopz9ecio4pr The basic idea of Padlet is simple, yet powerful – it gives you a blank ‘wall’ where you can assemble all kinds of visual media. It’s a great way to create visual arguments, presentations, timelines or more. It’s also a great tool for collaborating because you can share a wall amongst various users. 

Responding to Reading

Reading Comprehension

Listening to Reading http://schools.birdville.k12.tx.us/domain/4938

Vocabulary Work Station

Writing Work Station

Writing Work Station Assessing and Keeping Kids Accountable •Check the blog posting and have other students reply to posts. Have students share writing pieces during Reflection time during Reading Workshop. •Collect student writing products

How to Document Progress at Literacy Work Station Anecdotal notes Student work samples Take photos of students working at stations ( twice a year) Use work station sharing time to collect information

Work Station Activities Evaluating Work Station Activities •Does the activity provide meaningful literacy practice for your students and support what your are teaching (standards)? •Is there anything that could be changed or added to this the activity to make it a more meaningful literacy activity for your students?

Learning Objectives for Today How did we do? Establish a clear vision about literacy workstations and their purpose. Clarify processes and protocols that will facilitate implementation of the literacy workstations. Develop ways to incorporate technology into workstations that will provide meaningful and purposeful authentic student tasks and products.

Other Work Stations Computer Pocket Chart Listening Creation Buddy Reading Math Puzzles & Games Handwriting Science/ Social Studies Overhead

Survey for today!!! http://schools.birdvilleschools.net/Page/16345 Contact Me! Teresa.lawson@birdvilleschools.net Survey for today!!! http://schools.birdvilleschools.net/Page/16345