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September 9, 2015 Classroom Management

No More Lectures - Try Back To School Stations Instead

  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts

About Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, at http://jenniferwolfe.net, and grab a free copy of "8 Tips For A Successful School Year" while you're there.
  • Teacher Self-Care: Great Tips PLUS A Hyperdoc To Share! - January 14, 2018
  • 3 Steps to Helping Students Develop College-Ready Writing Skills - November 26, 2017
  • A How To List For Flexible Classroom Seating - September 10, 2017
  • Back To School Hacks: Digitize Your Syllabus and Lesson Plans! - August 20, 2017
  • Want to Be Ready for Middle School? Start With These 4 Skills - August 14, 2017
  • Making STEM Matter in Schools - July 17, 2017
  • The STEM Revolution in Higher Education - June 26, 2017
  • The State of STEM in U.S. Schools - May 30, 2017
  • Teaching Writing With Hyperdocs - May 22, 2017
  • Budget Cuts? Don't Take It Out On The Teachers - Or The Students - March 20, 2017

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Author's Back to School Passports

Author's Back to School Passports

I’m not a direct instruction kind of teacher. I’ve learned after 25 years of teaching junior high that kids need to be moving, thinking, collaborating and switching activities frequently during a 50 minute class period - especially on the first day of school.

When I think of the years I spent the first day talking at the students, not to them, I cringe. What a boring introduction to my class - and my class is definitely not one for passive learning.

The last several years I’ve experimented with group activities on the first day of school. I’ve done everything from partner work to dividing the class into four medium sized groups for rotations. I’ve used poster paper, post its and handouts with varying degrees of success. This year, however, was the best yet - with a little help from some teacher friend websites, I created my Back To School Stations - and they were a huge hit!

I have really large classes - between 33 and 36 - so I created between 8 and 9 stations. I like having kids work in quads; it’s a good number for dialogue without having too much distraction, and it’s easy to put my desks together into four.Jennifer2

Next, I collected lots of Back to School ideas from websites, Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers. I found a variety of lessons, including reading, writing, speaking and art focused ideas.

I tried to divide them up so every station would switch up the learning modality. I decided the theme would be ‘Back To School passports” after finding this lesson on TPT.

Kids started at the station where they were seated. I typed up cheerful, motivating and clear directions for each station, and put them inside sheet protectors to keep them from accidentally getting scooped up or wrinkled. The order they traveled didn’t really matter; I asked kids to keep their papers with them as they moved.

I found that between 7-9 minutes per station worked well. I wasn’t worried about them completely finishing each station; I told them if they finished early they could pull out a station they hadn’t completed, and when we got to the end of the rotation, they would have time for ‘finishing touches’. It worked great - when kids were done, they were able to talk about what they were writing/drawing/reading, or just chat about their summer. In 7-9 minutes there wasn’t much time to goof off, but it created a nice, busy hum in the classroom.

Jennifer3While the kids were working it allowed me to wander around the room, observing the personalities, watching their work habits and stop and comment on what they were doing. With these stations I felt as if I really had a better sense of who they were as people than I ever have before - the lessons created easy openings for dialogue about their interests, their families, their experiences and their hopes for 8th grade.

All together the stations took about three days - we had a few other mini-lessons each day, but the main portion of class time involved the rotations. At the end, I walked them through how to assemble the passport page by page. They stapled them together and turned them in - giving me only one assignment to record for that week, and some super cool decorations for Back To School Night!

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Reviewing the syllabus

Reviewing the syllabus

I created a Pinterest Back to School Board here. The passport idea came from Presto Plans, and I modified my stations to reflect

my syllabus and classroom goals. If you’d like a copy of my station directions, just let me know in the comments or send me an email and I’ll share the Google Docs.

Stations work well with many different kinds of lessons - they get kids moving, interacting, and engaged. Try stations the next time you feel like you’ve got a lot to cover and want to make it more fun - your students will love you for it!

 [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

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Related posts:

Back To School Hacks: Digitize Your Syllabus and Lesson Plans! Gamify your Class without Electricity 6 Tips on Teaching Social Studies in a Politically-Charged Era The Importance of Communication For IEP Students and Parents
« For The Love Of Latin: Promising Apps for Latin Teachers In and Out of the Classroom
Classroom Thief: How to Find Peace When Things Go Missing »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sylvia Spruill says

    July 19, 2016 at 11:45 pm

    Just found your post from the #2ndaryela chat! Would love the station directions and info!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 21, 2016 at 11:07 pm

      Hi Sylvia,
      Here's a link to the resources: http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources Thanks you!

      Reply
  2. Andrea says

    July 21, 2016 at 9:48 am

    I'd love the stations directions and info. I also teach middle school and this sounds great for the first week!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 21, 2016 at 11:08 pm

      Andrea, here's the link - let me know how it goes! http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources

      Reply
      • Katie says

        June 28, 2017 at 12:16 pm

        I cannot access the resources. Is there any way you could send them directly?

        Reply
        • Jennifer Wolfe says

          July 03, 2017 at 2:01 pm

          Hi Katie,
          You can access the resources on my website: http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources , along with other teaching/parenting ideas. If you'd like more, just leave your email on the mailing list. Thanks!

          Reply
  3. Jessica Winters says

    July 21, 2016 at 6:49 pm

    This sounds fun...but I am wondering how to adapt to high school. If I knew your stations, it might help.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 21, 2016 at 11:09 pm

      Jessica, I used the stations lesson from Presto Plans on TPT - you could adapt for your subject/age group. Here's a link to my directions: http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources. Let me know how you modify it!

      Reply
  4. Sherry Adams says

    July 21, 2016 at 6:56 pm

    I would also love to have your station directions. Thanks for sharing the station idea.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 21, 2016 at 11:10 pm

      Sherry, here you go - let me know if you try it! http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources

      Reply
  5. Kim Evans says

    July 21, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    I would love a copy of your documents. I was thinking of doing something similar with my 7/8 graders. I'm having a student teacher this year so it will be neat for her too.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 21, 2016 at 11:10 pm

      Kim, that's great! Here's the link: http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources - let me know how it works out!

      Reply
  6. Jerri martin says

    July 21, 2016 at 7:00 pm

    Please send me your station directions and info. Love this!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 21, 2016 at 11:11 pm

      Jerri, I'm so glad you loved the idea - here's the link: http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources. Please be in touch!

      Reply
  7. Eileen says

    July 21, 2016 at 7:02 pm

    Stations please! Always looking for ideas.

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 21, 2016 at 11:11 pm

      Here you go, Eileen - hope it helps! http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources

      Reply
  8. Gretchen Morgan says

    July 21, 2016 at 7:29 pm

    I would love a copy of your stations directions. Great ideas! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 21, 2016 at 11:12 pm

      Gretchen, here you go - glad you like the ideas! http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources Let me know how it works out for you!

      Reply
  9. Lisa Walker says

    July 21, 2016 at 7:30 pm

    Hi Jennifer! I am always looking for more ways to engage my students and this sounds like something I would love the station directions and info.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 21, 2016 at 11:13 pm

      Lisa, stations will definitely engage them for the first several days - here you go http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources. Let me know if it works for you!

      Reply
  10. Sue Warren says

    July 21, 2016 at 7:39 pm

    I love this idea. Please send details about the stations.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 21, 2016 at 11:13 pm

      Sue, I hope your kids love it as much as mine did - I'd love to hear back from you! http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources

      Reply
  11. Catherine Cable says

    July 21, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    Please send me your stations. I would love any advice for stations to teach Social Studies in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. I teach Special Ed mild to moderate.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 21, 2016 at 11:16 pm

      Hi Catherine, Thanks for reaching out. I would think about what do you want to establish in your first few days - rules, expectations, curriculum...and what do you want to know about your kids? I would think of some way to tie in their real life to what they're studying (if not direct to curriculum, I'd think of overall themes/essential questions). The trick is to keep them short and 'do-able' so they can feel like they finish. For SPED I would cut the number of rotations and give them more time at each station for sure. Here's my directions: http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources Keep me updated!

      Reply
  12. Lisa Turzai says

    July 21, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    Would love the directions to the stations you set up! Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 22, 2016 at 11:33 am

      Hi Lisa,
      Here's the link - let me know how it works for you! http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources

      Reply
  13. Trisha Clark says

    July 21, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    I would love to have your station directions. Thanks so much for sharing the station idea.

    Reply
  14. Bonnie Garrert says

    July 21, 2016 at 9:32 pm

    Hello! This is a great idea! Thank you so much for being willing to share it with us! I pray please I previously thought middle school and made the leap to 4th grade. I think this idea would still be great because we rotate between teachers and I definitely think this would be more enjoyable to show them around my room, explain procedures, and keep them from sitting still for so long. I tried clicking on the link in your post, but my phone is being wonky and wouldn't connect, but I would still greatly appreciate a copy of your directions! 🙂

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 22, 2016 at 11:34 am

      Welcome to middle school, Bonnie! It's my favorite place to teach. Here's the link - I know it will be fun for your students. Let me know how it works for you http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources.

      Reply
  15. Karen says

    July 21, 2016 at 9:45 pm

    I would love to know the stations you use! I'm trying to find fun ways to switch things up this year!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 22, 2016 at 11:35 am

      Karen, stations will definitely be fun - here's the link. Check back in and let me know how it went! http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources

      Reply
  16. Kim says

    July 21, 2016 at 9:48 pm

    Please send me the station directions.
    Kmisaac305@gmail.com

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 22, 2016 at 11:35 am

      Kim, here's the link - let me know how you manage. http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources

      Reply
  17. Tammy Stierle says

    July 21, 2016 at 9:57 pm

    Hi. This sounds like a great idea. Please send me a copy of your stations.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 22, 2016 at 11:36 am

      Tammy, I hope you have a great start to the school year! http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources

      Reply
  18. Jennifer Wolfe says

    July 21, 2016 at 11:16 pm

    Lisa, here they are! I'd love to hear how you use them! http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources

    Reply
  19. Mary says

    July 21, 2016 at 11:44 pm

    I love the idea of stations and would so appreciate any information you could send me. Thank you so much.

    Reply
  20. Jennifer Wolfe says

    July 22, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    Hi Mary, So happy you like the idea - here's the link. Please let me know how they work for you! http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources

    Reply
  21. Ann says

    July 23, 2016 at 11:44 pm

    Love the idea and would like to give it a try! Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 25, 2016 at 3:52 pm

      Hi Ann,
      You're very welcome - here's the link - http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources - I'd love for you to leave your email on my blog so you can get all my school posts sent right to you!

      Reply
  22. Bonnie (Presto Plans) says

    July 30, 2016 at 6:11 am

    Hi Jennifer!

    I just stumbled across your site, and I was so happy to read about how you used my passport activity in your classroom! There is nothing better than seeing pictures of something I created in action. I'm so glad you/your students enjoyed it. Thanks so much for sharing the post 🙂

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      August 06, 2016 at 9:15 pm

      Bonnie, I'm so glad you connected with me- I love your product, and hope lots of new teachers come your way!

      Reply
  23. Maureen says

    August 04, 2016 at 10:19 pm

    Can you please send me your amazing stations?!!??!? Wvussteach@gmail.com

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      August 06, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      Maureen, here's the link for my station directions: http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources

      Reply
  24. Teri Smith says

    April 02, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    I would love a copy of your back to school stations. smitht@martin.k12.fl.us Thank you.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 03, 2017 at 2:05 pm

      Great- I sent you an email.

      Reply
  25. Christine Sulva says

    June 19, 2017 at 11:53 am

    I tried stations on the first day this past year; looking to switch one up for this upcoming September. The kids really liked the more active period! I'd appreciate if you could share.

    csulva@ebnet.org

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 03, 2017 at 2:07 pm

      Great- I sent you an email.

      Reply
  26. Christina says

    June 27, 2017 at 11:05 am

    I would love a copy of your stations. Do you have to pair them up to the state standards? I am new to teaching middle shool and would love a copy. my email address is cdfblair@yahoo.com

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      July 03, 2017 at 2:06 pm

      Great- I sent you an email.

      Reply
  27. Lea Ann Marks says

    July 11, 2017 at 1:56 pm

    I would LOVE to get a copy of your station instructions. Could you please send those to LeaAnnMarks@gmail.com

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      August 10, 2017 at 9:02 pm

      I’m so glad you loved the idea – here’s the link: http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources. Please be in touch - if you leave your email on my website I'll keep you updated as I post more free lessons. Happy back to school!
      -Jennifer

      Reply
  28. Ruth Carranza says

    July 11, 2017 at 11:07 pm

    Would love the station directions and info!!
    Awesome Idea!!!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      August 10, 2017 at 9:07 pm

      Hi Ruth – here’s the link: http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources. Please be in touch - if you leave your email on my website I'll keep you updated as I post more free lessons. Happy back to school!
      -Jennifer

      Reply
  29. Jamii vogt says

    July 12, 2017 at 8:03 am

    I would love to have your station ideas and directions. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      August 10, 2017 at 9:08 pm

      Jamii - I’m so glad you loved the idea – here’s the link: http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources. Please be in touch - if you leave your email on my website I'll keep you updated as I post more free lessons. Happy back to school!
      -Jennifer

      Reply
  30. Jenna says

    July 12, 2017 at 8:29 am

    Hi, Jennifer! What a wonderful idea! I would love the google docs, but the link above isn't connecting me to your email. My email address is jcantin@oconeeschools.org

    Thanks so much!!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      August 10, 2017 at 9:10 pm

      Hi Jenna - I emailed you the link 🙂

      Reply
  31. Leah says

    July 28, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    Hi, Jennifer! I'd love a copy of your stations - my email is leahrichmond07@gmail.com. This looks so fun! Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      August 10, 2017 at 9:11 pm

      Awesome, Leah. I sent you an email. 🙂

      Reply
  32. Jennifer says

    August 08, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    Hi Jennifer! I would love to have a copy of your stations! Thank you so much for Sharing!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe says

      August 10, 2017 at 9:12 pm

      I’m so glad you loved the idea – here’s the link: http://jenniferwolfe.net/teaching-resources. Please be in touch - if you leave your email on my website I'll keep you updated as I post more free lessons. Happy back to school!
      -Jennifer

      Reply
  33. Adrienne says

    July 18, 2018 at 4:44 pm

    What did you do to create the other four stations?

    Reply
  34. Kaitlyn Mason says

    August 02, 2018 at 9:07 pm

    I would love a copy of your station directions! This is my first year teaching sixth grade! 🙂

    Reply

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