As teachers navigate online learning, hybrid schedules, or the demands of the concurrent classroom, I’ve recommended the station rotation model. I know this recommendation may seem odd given that most teachers are not in classrooms daily with students, or if they are, there are strict social distancing protocols in place. In our current situation, it is necessary to emphasize that a “station” does not need to be a physical location in a classroom, but rather it is a learning activity. Students do not need to rotate physically. Instead, they shift from one learning activity to the next.

The beauty of the station rotation model lies in the small group dynamic, opportunities to differentiate more consistently, and increased student control over the pace at which they move through individual tasks.

Teachers may find the template below a useful resource as they plan their station rotation lessons, especially if they teach online or in a concurrent classroom where the teacher-led stations are likely happening via video conferencing.

I know getting started can be the most challenging part! So, I’ve created the following idea documents brainstorming learning activities that teachers in math, English, and history may find helpful as they plan for their station rotation lessons.

Math: Station Rotation Ideas

Often, math teachers have the most challenging time designing a station rotation because the curriculum is so linear with each concept and process builds on the previous. However, as I work with math teachers exploring the station rotation model, I encourage them to think about the stations serving specific functions.

  • Teacher-led Station: Move linearly through the curriculum
  • Online Station: Support self-paced progress, collaborative small group challenges, and mathematical reasoning
  • Offline Station: Encourage students to revisit and review concepts or apply mathematical thinking to real-world situations individually or collaboratively.

English: Station Rotation Ideas

English teachers frustrated by the volume of work they take home can leverage the station rotation design to pull some of that work into the classroom (physical or virtual). The teacher-led station provides time for the teacher to provide differentiated instruction around concepts and skills, support students as they read or employ reading strategies, and provide focused feedback as they write.

The online and offline stations can then allow students the time and space to engage in conversations about texts, read and write, complete more artistic tasks, or conduct online research to build their background knowledge.

History: Station Rotation Ideas

When I work with history teachers, I adapt and use many of the strategies I employed in my English class. I think of history as a story told from different perspectives. As a result, students must think critically about who is telling the story of an event or moment and how that point of view impacts the way they tell the story. What is emphasized? What is neglected? Which perspectives are absent?

Students also need opportunities to connect their identities and their lives with past events. That is easier to do if they have time to explore, discuss, and reflect.

Science: Station Rotation Ideas

Science curriculum, like math, can be very linear. It also involves a lot of hands-on work (e.g., labs and experiments) that the teacher may want to monitor. These realities can make it challenging for science teachers to design a station rotation; however, stations provide students the time and space to explore and process complex concepts and phenomena.

You can access the virtual station rotation template and the idea documents below. I hope these resources support teachers in designing engaging, student-centered learning experiences for any learning landscape!

21 Responses

  1. Hello Catlin
    I hope all is well with you. I attended a professional development that you lead 2 weeks ago. My district is moving from online to hybrid learning in the next few weeks. I like the idea of station rotations but we have been told that students in the classroom should not use our video conferencing software. I have 30 students in my class 10-13 will be in my classroom with me. Students will be 6 feet apart so noise will be a problem. Some students might have headphone some will not. I teach AP Economics so the content is heavy and difficult for students to discuss on non speaking platforms. I can see a teacher lead station and a async station but not much else. Can you describe a multi station rotation setup that would work in my classroom. How can student work together without being distractions to others? Please be specific as you can.

    • Hi Nicholas,

      If students cannot be in video conferencing calls while attending school in person, I would divide the class in half with an online group and offline group and use a “flip-flop” or two station rotation approach to designing your lessons. That way, you can provide the in-class group instruction live and provide the online group with instruction via your video conferencing software. That way, you are planning a teacher-led and asynchronous station. A multi-station rotation isn’t something you necessarily need to begin with if it complicates your thinking about using this model. I would also suggest reading the blog below on the flip-flop as it may be useful.

      https://catlintucker.com/2020/11/flip-flop-design-for-concurrent-classroom/

      Catlin

  2. I like the approach to plan for all 3 learning opportunities- teacher led, online student paced and offline to differentiate within the same lesson

  3. My idea of beginning task for the first day or week of school for EC Resource class will be goal setting as it may relate to reading and/or math; writing; social skills (whatever the targeted area is on their IEP). This is more for the Flip Flop model

  4. Hi, when you are using this model, how much time do you allow for each station? I have my class for an hour so I’m wondering if I should expect them to complete all four or just one or two a day. Thank you!

  5. Hello Catlin,

    Can you please give me an example of station rotation in Senior High School – PE in Philippines setting with 50 students in a class? I am looking forward for your positive response. Thank you very much. God bless.

    • Hi Glendel,

      I was working with a PE teacher last month on organizing stations. The station rotation broke up his group of 48 students into six stations (though only three stations with two groups per station). At the teacher-led station, he demonstrated techniques for hitting the volleyball and guided the group in practice. The online station was a series of exercises where the students tracked their heart rates and documented their body’s reaction to different exercises in a spreadsheet. The offline station was partner practice with ball skills. Students spent 20 minutes at each station before rotating.

      I hope that helps!
      Catlin

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