Blended Learning Problem Solving: Large Class Size = Mirrored Station Rotation

When you have over 30 students in 6 class periods the idea of station rotation can seem daunting. How can I group them so there are not too many students per group? How many separate stations will I need to make? 6? How do I even do that?! How long will this take? With 6 stations, that would be 3-4 days! We are BYOD, I don't have enough devices for that....

But I love the idea of personalized learning, students having some control, and me getting to actually talk to students small group and directly connect with every child. You know, what blended learning is all about! Enter mirror stations. In mirror stations there are 3 stations that get duplicated. So on half of your room looks like the other half.

Here is how I organize it:

1. Independent station on computers and devices

2. Teacher station

3. Small group practice

Notice how I put the teacher station in the center? That way I can more easily monitor. I can also break out the small groups,  spreading them out further with beanbags in corners. 

Here is where the differentiation comes along:

• Ability group based on recent data relating to the skills. In other words, if this is about writing, I need to use writing data. If it is about reading skills, I need to use data from reading assessments.
• To help you keep it straight, keep intervention groups on one side of the room. This may be 1 group in second period and 3 groups in first period. Keep enrichment on the other. This is typically 1 group a class period.
• For independent station, I may be use district approved reading software that tailors to a student's individual need. Or, I might have created an Office Mix about a reading strategy or concept. For writing, students may be accessing revision strategies and selecting the one they feel their writing needs the most. This online learning is part of what makes this meet the definition of blended learning.
• For teacher station, create an instructional piece that can be adapted for one level, intervention, and enrichment. For example, I love a good card sort. Groups don't have to know that the intervention groups are getting a different set than the rest of the class and no one knows the enrichment groups are getting to an extension activity. When my interventions students are with me, enrichment students are also at the teacher station. They will be able to complete their task and begin extension without me having to do much direction. I'll spend the majority of my time facilitating with the intervention group and keeping an ear our for the enrichment group. For the on level groups, I'll be splitting my time more evenly between then. If an intervention group finishes, hand them the on level. If an on level finishes early, let them do the enrichment!
• For small group practice, students may be working as partners to apply a strategy or concept. As writers, they may be conferencing on their writing with a partner. Since we are BYOD, I can also include a device agnostic task in here. Perhaps a reading check quiz with the partner or participating in an online discussion board. 

Definition from Clifford Maxwell

Blended Learning Vocabulary Practice 4 Ways!

Vocabulary: every content area has it and students need to practice it. What kind of options can you give as a way of showing understanding? Use the below 4 as options in an iPad center, warm-up, or closure activity. 

Option 1: Doodle Buddy (App)/Aww App (Web 2.0)
Create a visual representation of your vocabulary word. Using the text feature label the vocabulary
word and type the definition in your own words

Option 2: Chatterpix (App)/Blabberize (Web 2.0)
Make or take a picture associated with your vocabulary term and make it talk and tell the listener the vocabulary word and the definition in your own words

Option 3: Make Beliefs Comix (app or website)
Create a comic in which one of the character uses the vocabulary word correctly. Make sure the context clues reveal the meaning of the word.

Option 4: RWT Crosswords (App) or Crosswords Puzzle (Wed 2.0)
Create a crossword puzzle for your vocabulary words with synonym or synonym phrases as the clues.


When students are done they can submit to the LMS of your choice. If all words will be done of the course of several days, have students curate their word into a presentation tool like Google Slides, Sway, PowerPoint, or even iMovie.

Share additional ideas below!

Embed in Sway

One day, I dream Sway will support any embed code! Until that day, here is a quick tutorial featuring how to embed Office 365 documents as well as Padlet! Squee! The Padlet brings the interactivity component that I so love! 

Found other cool things you can embed that isn't on the official list? Share in comments!

Sway in ELA

Spring Break is here! I’m setting myself for a writing challenge: 9 posts in 9 days! First up, a tool for any mode of writing!

Digital Tool: Sway
Publisher: Microsoft Office 365
Device: Any! (Although the app is needed for video files)
Type: publish or present
Similar to: a webpage but can be used like PPT
Features I love: Students can collaborate on the same Sway and embed documents

Template:

Create a template in Sway and share it so anyone with the link can view. Then have students save the Sway in their own Office 365 account. They will be able to edit it once it is their own.

 Writing Modes:

Expository:

Have a research project for students that includes a lot of extras? Sway embeds pretty much anything! From Tweets to Excel to other Sways, Sway not only creates a visually stunning final product, but also one that is perfect for any sort of long range project. Group research? Have students collaborate on the same Sway!

Persuasive:

Argumentative writing and media literacy tend to go hand-in-hand. Students drawing ads, making a persuasive commercial, or creating their own infographics? They can embed media files with ease. If they draw by hand, have them take a picture with an iPad and upload into a Sway. Because it is device agnostic, students can switch back and forth between iPad, computer, their BYOD or home device.

Narrative:

Sway allows students to create a link or QR code, which allows for an amazing way to publish. Students can incorporate drawn pictures or photos for creative or personal narrative. Have them print out the QR code and shorten the link and post to classroom or lockers.

Poetry:

Create a poetry anthology! Create a classroom Sway for students to contribute to or for more prolific poetry units, each student creates his or her own portfolio.

Writing Process:

Conferencing: Students can create QR codes or post links to their draft typed in Sway. Others can fill out an online feedback sheet.

Publishing: This is the tool for you!

Accessibility:

Do you have students who need high contrast, no animation, and/or screen readers? With Accessibility check – something you can use to modify your Sway to be more accessible – and accessibility view – something anyone can enact when viewing a Sway.

Universal Theme Collage

After students come up with a theme (see video of strategy here), I like to hit home the universality
of what a theme should be. What better way to have students realize that theme is true across time and space than to apply the theme to the past and across the world. I have my students use online research  (DE Streaming) to find a historical example of the theme being true and then a current event example (using Gale) to find it true in another place. Using those and text evidence along with a pic collage app, students make a visually stunning study of the theme and learn a little bit more about the world they live in. The instructions for this is in my shop.