Technology in Math Stations

Contrary to popular belief, stations are not just for primary grades! Math stations can be incredibly powerful with any age group in order to differentiate, pull small groups for instruction, and incorporate blended learning to individualize instruction.

Gloria McGriff's students work at a collaborative tech station.

Last week I had the pleasure of working in James Peng and Gloria McGriff's rooms at CMS and supporting stations in action. In James's eighth grade math class at CMS, he begins with a quick math warm-up, then gives a brief overview of the stations/grouping. He uses formative assessment tools (such as Kahoot) to group his students based on identified math needs.

Stations should vary based on the objective of the lesson. There is no one right way to arrange stations, as long as all stations are focused on specific learning targets and the method of delivery supports students in reaching these targets. In a traditional three station model, one station can include small group instruction with the teacher, another station independent practice of a skill, and another station based on collaboration or team application of concepts.

Aside from your teacher station, some station ideas that incorporate blended learning include:

• Using Blendspace to create self-guided lessons with embedded instruction and practice. Click here to view a 7th grade Blendspace lesson on subtracting positive and negative integers using a number line. 
• iReady lessons are automatically assigned based on the diagnostic and progress monitoring assessments, but you can also assign iReady lessons that are aligned to the current standards you are teaching as a content launch or as an additional support in reinforcing a concept. Click here for the iReady Math Correlations by grade level (a breakdown of iReady lessons you can assign based the standards you are currently teaching).
• Use Google Slides in conjunction with Google Forms to do pretty much anything! Build in instruction through embedded screencasts, assess understanding through Google Forms, assign practice problems through a linked Google Doc. Click here to view a sample 8th grade lesson on Law 1 of Exponents with Google Slides.

James Peng's 8th grade class working in a small group teacher station and a note taking station through Blendspace.

When you first implement stations, make sure someone is available to float the room to support the students in expectations with station rotations. This can either be another adult in the room to support the process, or you (allow yourself to skip pulling a group the first time or two). Setting high expectations for student productivity during station work sessions is crucial in successful implementation and well worth the front-end investment! Please continue to let me know how I can support you!