Stations

I've been meaning to try stations for a while now.  But here is what happens to me a lot.  I have these ideas for my classroom that never come to fruition because I either think there's too much work involved and I won't have enough time to do it, or, I believe the students won't like the activity, or, chaos.

Deep breath....here it goes....


In an effort to review for a test on Quadrilaterals, I created seven stations.  At each station the students took a piece of paper with the current set of problems on them and got to work.  Once they got to the next station, they found an answer key for the previous station along with new problems.  I found it useful to color code the stations and answer keys.

I had the students move from station to station at my say.  I didn't want students walking around the room (hence my issue with chaos).

It was impossible to keep the amount of work in each station the same so I had a secondary assignment for the students to complete.  Before we started the stations, I showed the students how to solve a logic problem.  We did this one together as a class.  Then I handed out this more complicated logic problem without the clues.  I picked this particular problem because it had 7 clues and I had 7 stations.  I put one clue at each station.

At each station:  1 answer key in a page protector, enough copies for each student of the current problem, and enough copies of the clue for that station.

As I walked around the room, I noticed that all my students were engaged.  But here's what happened....they really like the logic problem.  A LOT.  Can you guess what they did?  That's right.  When they got to the next station, they grabbed a clue and got to work on the logic puzzle, next they checked the answer key, and finally started the current set of problems.  Those stinkers!!  Here's what I'm going to do next time.  I will keep the clues in my possession.  When a student finished the current set of problems, I will then give them the next clue.

Overall...this was a great review.  The students did well on their tests and I felt it was a success.

Comments

  1. This is a great idea! I hope to use it this year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love it! Any idea where I can find more logic problems?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did a google search for "Logic Puzzles" and found a lot of options for them. Good luck!!

      Delete
  3. I have done Logic Puzzles in my classes for years and some kids LOVE them, some aren't as crazy. If you have time (I did this as an addition to a geometry unit a few years ago) have students create their own logic problems. They worked in small groups (2-3); had to create a situation, the matrix for the puzzles, and the clues to correctly complete the matrix. I was surprised at how into the students got - just a thought for future lessons.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment