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Station Rotation Progression

​The Station Rotation Progression is a tool that identifies the necessary steps to take when implementing a Blended Station rotation model.
Blended Station Rotation Model
  • Students rotate through three stations: teacher, technology, and collaboration station on a fixed schedule or at teacher’s discretion between learning modalities.
  • Learning at each station is aligned and there is a common thread amongst the three.

Learn more about the Blended Station Rotation Model by visiting the Blended Learning Universe at www.blendedlearning.org. 
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A progression is a pathway a learner might take to reach the end goal or learning target. This tool is carefully sequenced across three phases of implementation:
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Download Foundation Phase
Inspiration Bank
 Identifies the sequence of teacher and student actions that must be mastered in order to establish the foundation and readiness for an effective station rotation. 
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Download Differentiated Phase
Inspiration Bank
Identifies the sequence of teacher and student actions that enables differentiation in an effective station rotation.
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download personalized phase
Inspiration Bank
Builds on the Foundation and Differentiated phases to identify the sequence of teacher and student actions that meet the need and interest of every learner. ​
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Below you'll find articles, research, practitioner training, and campus or classroom examples from Dallas ISD leaders to suggest the next move you (or for those you coach) might take.

Foundation Phase
​Identifies the sequence of teacher and student actions that must be mastered in order to establish the foundation and readiness for an effective station rotation. 

Planning Before Lesson

 
1. Teacher has planned two differentiated small group lessons.
Varied Learning Experiences [TEI Alignment 1.2, 1.4, 2.4], Differentiated Learning Objectives [TEI Alignment 1.5, 2.1, 2.2], +
Data Driven Instruction [TEI Alignment 1.2, 1.4, 2.4] ​​
Next Move: Review student data to identify two groups of students who need different small group lessons.
  • Organizing Small Groups: Do You Know All the Options? | Scholastic
  • ​​Station Rotation: Differentiating Instruction to Meet All Learners | Edutopia
  • Introduction to Differentiation with Classroom Examples | Dr. Carol Tomlinson
 
2. Teacher creates and shares an agenda for rotations that include student groups, expectations, and transitions.
Routines + Procedures [TEI Alignment 3.1, 3.2]  +  Collaborative Grouping [TEI Alignment 1.2, 2.2, 3.3] ​​
Next Move:  Post schedule for rotations and use a timer. Set and practice transition expectations.
  • Rotation Expectations | Blended Video | BetterLesson
  • Station Transition | Video by BetterLesson 
  • Planning guide to help create routines, procedures and expectations for a blended environment | Personalized Learning Department, Dallas ISD
 

Teacher Station 

3. Teacher holds students accountable for set expectations for rotations and transitions.
Routines + Procedures [TEI Alignment 3.1, 3.2] 
Next Move: Directly teach or reset expectations to ensure they are specific, concrete, sequential and observable.
  • Rotation Expectations | BetterLesson
  • How to integrate Station Rotation into Your Classroom | McGraw Hill
  • Station Rotation Direction Slides | Personalized Learning Department, Dallas ISD
 
4. Teacher uses small group time to complete one of the three: direct teach, reteach, or address misconceptions based on the trends in data identified in planning.
Data Driven Instruction + Differentiated Learning Objectives
Next Move: Plan two small group lessons that align to the learning objective at the collaboration, and technology station (one standard for all three stations).
  • 3 Secrets to Successful Station Rotation | Blended Learning Universe 
 
5. Teacher checks for understanding and sometimes gives general feedback.
Student Feedback + Rapport with Students
PBL: Critique & Revision
Next Move: Create a check for understanding to measure student mastery and give feedback to the group.
  • Formative Assessment Tool: Exit Tickets | The Learning Accelerator
  • 56 Examples of Formative Assessment | David Wees, also available as a blog from Edutopia
 

Collaboration Station

6. Students have clear, on-demand, sequential directions for task(s).
Routines + Procedures
Next Moves: 
  1. Create a task card with explicit directions (written, pictorial, or video) at the station.
  2. Establish routines and procedures for using the task card.
  • Rotation Expectations | Blended Video | BetterLesson
  • Station Rotation: Differentiating Instruction to Meet All Learners | Edutopia
  • Provide On-Demand Directions | Personalized Learning Department, Dallas ISD
  • ​​Record Video Directions and Maximize Your Minutes | Catlin Tucker
 
7. Students independently complete tasks aligned to daily class learning objective.
Varied Learning Experiences
Next Move: Plan one activity that aligns to the learning objective at the teacher and technology station (one standard for all three stations).
  • Collaborative Station Activities | Blended Video | BetterLesson
  • Independent Practice Strategies | The Teacher Toolkit
  • Blended Learning: The Station Rotation Model | Achieve the Core
 
8. Students access on-demand feedback on their own.
Student Feedback 
PBL: Critique & Revision
Next Move: Create a system for students to access an example or provide an answer key to check their work.
  • More time for feedback with improved planning and grading tools | Google
  • ​​How to Give Your Students Better Feedback With Technology | The Chronicle
  • How to Add Answer Feedback to Quizzes in Google Forms & How Students See It | YouTube
  • Using Videos to Give Students Personalized Feedback | Edutopia ​
 

Technology Station 
Software makes instructional decisions/Software dominant

9. Students exercise routines and procedures that minimize disruptions.
Routines + Procedures
Next Move: Explicitly teach, practice and post routines for accessing devices and software.
  • Rotation Expectations | Blended Video | BetterLesson
  • Planning guide to help create routines, procedures and expectations for a blended environment | Personalized Learning Department, Dallas ISD
  • ​Teaching Students Routines for Computer Use | Angela Watson Blog
 
10. Students troubleshoot and access the online task.
Routines + Procedures
Next Move: Create and post a procedure for students to follow when devices aren’t working.
  • Your Computer Isn't Broken: Quick Tech Fixes for Students | NEA
  • Launch | Blended Video | BetterLesson
  • 13 Activities for When Classroom Technology Fails | Moore English Blog 
 
11. Students track progress on software only using metrics of time or lessons completed.
Data Driven Instruction
Next Move: Create a student-facing document to track minutes completed or lessons completed on software.
  •  Best Practices in Blended Learning – Educational Technology | Section on The Online Adaptive Learning Program Station
  • ​5 Classroom Management Tips for Technology Integration | KQED
  • Helping Students Track Their Learning | Edutopia
 
Differentiated Phase​
Identifies the sequence of teacher and student actions that enables differentiation in an effective station rotation. 

Teacher Station

1. Teacher has at least three differentiated small group lessons (e.g., mastery, interest, etc.).
Data Driven Instruction + Differentiated Learning Objectives
Next Move: Review student data to identify three groups of students who need different small group lessons.
  • Use a Know, Understand, Do Chart to plan tiered lessons
  • Middle School Sample Lesson | Personalized Learning Department, Dallas ISD
  • Personalized Small Group Instruction Example | BetterLesson
  • Station Rotation:Differentiating Instruction to Meet All Learners | Edutopia
 
2. Teacher completes a check for understanding that is specific to the student group.
Personalized Learning Pathways
Next Move: Create a differentiated check for understanding to measure student mastery and give feedback specific to each group.
  • Formative Assessment Tool: Exit Tickets | The Learning Accelerator
  • Levels of Understanding: Learning That Fits All | Edutopia
  • System of Assessments to Demonstrate Mastery | BetterLesson
 
3. Teacher provides individual, specific feedback (i.e., feedback for learning or aggressive monitoring).
Student Feedback 
​PBL: ​Critique & Revision
Next Move: Provide students individual feedback on formative assessment and then use a class roster to record the feedback you provide to individual students.
  • Using Aggressive Active Monitoring to Maximize Student Learning | Model Teaching
  • The Importance of Student Self-Assessment | NWEA Blog
  • Ron Berger’s “Story of Austin’s Butterfly” video | EL Education
 

Collaboration Station

4. Students complete tasks that are differentiated [e.g., product, mastery, directions, etc.] and could be completed independently.
Differentiated Learning Objectives + Personalized Learning Pathways
Next Move: Use academic and/or non-academic data when planning to create a differentiated task.
  • Collaborative Station Activities | Blended Video | BetterLesson
  • 3 Ways to Plan for Diverse Learners: What Teachers Do | Edutopia
  • Examples of How to Differentiate Instruction in the Classroom | Resilient Educator
 
5. Students explain why they’re in a particular group and/or why they are working towards a specific learning objective. 
Differentiated Learning Objectives
Next Move: 
  1. Implement a routine for students to reflect on their data or learning goals. 
  2. Post learning objectives or learning goals for each task. Ask students to explain why they’re working on a task.
  • Choices for Children: Why and How to Let Students Decide | Alfie Kohn
  • Differentiated Agendas for Student Groups | Tyler Wilkerson, IDEA
  • Empowering Ownership of Learning through Monitoring Learning Progress and Goal | The Learning Accelerator
 
6. Students work in partners or groups but not necessarily to create or complete the task.
Varied Learning Experiences
Next Move: Teach and practice expectations for students to work together. (e.g., sentence starters, question prompts, or accountable talk).
  • Not Just Group Work -- Productive Group Work! | Edutopia 
  • Beyond Think-Pair-Share | We Are Teachers
 

Technology Station
Teacher makes instructional decisions/Teacher dominant

7. Students track progress on software or a task based on mastery.
Data Driven Instruction 
Next Move: Create a student-facing document to track progress towards mastery on software programs.
  • Simple Ways to Track Student Progress – and a Few Things to Do When They Aren’t Progressing | Really Good Stuff
  • 10 Data Tracking Apps You Can Use In Your Class Tomorrow | Georgia Public Broadcasting
 
8. Students work on a differentiated tech-based task assigned by the teacher.
Personalized Learning Pathways
Next Move: 
  1. If using an adaptive software program, review student data and assign lessons based on need. 
  2. If teacher created, create a digital data-driven set of tasks or activities completed at their own pace that is differentiated for each identified group of students.
  • Technology Progress Tracker | Cesar Reyes,  Zaragoza Elementary 
 
9. Students’ progress and misconceptions are monitored by the teacher in real time.
Data Driven Instruction
Next Move: 
  1. If using a software program, keep the teacher dashboard up to monitor progress from your table.
  2. If teacher created, embed virtual checks for understanding you can monitor [e.g., Google Forms] in real time.
  • Checking Student Progress in Realtime | EdPuzzle
  • 75 digital tools to support formative assessment | NWEA Blog
  • 7 Ways to Do Formative Assessments in Your Virtual Classroom | Edutopia
 
Personalized Phase​
Builds on the Foundation and Differentiated phases to identify the sequence of teacher and student actions that meet the need and interest of every learner. 

Teacher Station

1. Teacher creates and adjusts groups based on student learning needs, real-time adjustments are made as needed.
Data Driven Instruction + Collaborative Grouping
Next Move: 
  1. Plan three lessons that address three possible misconceptions.
  2. Start class with a check for understanding or use an exit ticket from the day before that provides data to group students, based on lessons you have pre-planned.
  • Small Group Sessions | BetterLesson
  • Differentiation: How do I use data to adjust instruction for groups and individual students? | The Learning Accelerator
  • Tiered Activities for Upper Elementary Students | BetterLesson
 
2. Teacher aligns small group instruction to common standard(s) with differentiated learning objectives for the individual student.
Personalized Learning Pathways
Next Move: Review individual student work and data to create a learning objective aligned to the student’s misconception of the standard.
  • Meaningful Connections: Objectives and Standards | Edutopia
  • Differentiated Instruction in Education | Learning A-Z
 
3. Teacher checks for understanding through a formative assessment that is varied, authentic, relevant, and rigorous.
Authentic Assessment
Next Move: Close out the teacher station by using differentiated formative assessments to measure student mastery.
  • How Data Drives Personalized Instruction in My Class | RocketShip Schools
  • System of Assessments to Demonstrate Mastery | BetterLesson
  • Spiraled Weekly Formative Assessment and Remediation | BetterLesson
 

Collaboration Station

4. Students have roles that promote accountability and encourage collaboration.
Peer Accountability
Next Move: Assign and support students in learning the different roles he or she might play in authentic group collaboration.
  • Using Roles in Group Work | Center for Teaching and Learning, Washington University at St. Louis 
  • 20 Collaborative Learning Tips And Strategies For Teachers | TeachThought
  • Student Roles: Democratizing Group Work | BetterLesson
 
5. Students co-create products that are authentic and meaningful.
Authentic Assessment 
PBL: Challenge Problem or Question, Authenticity, Public Product, Student Voice & Choice + Sustained Inquiry
Next Move: Create collaborative activities that simulate real-life situations and issues that connect to students’ communities.
  • 5 Strategies to Deepen Student Collaboration | Edutopia
  • 8 Exceptional Inquiry-Based Learning Activities Students Will Love | Wabisabi Learning
  • Top 12 Ways to Bring the Real World into Your Classroom | Teach Hub 
  • Design Projects with Students, Not for Them | PBL Works
 
6. Students reflect on their role in group collaboration.
Self-Direction + Collaborative Grouping ​
PBL: Reflection + Student Voice & Choice
Next Move: Provide a tool (i.e., rubric) for students to reflect on group performance, learning, and how their role and actions contributed to the success of the group.
  • Group Work Self-Reflection Template | Read Write Think
  • Group Work Self-Reflection Questions for Students | The Gifted Guru
  • Evaluating Group Work Using Three Cs | BetterLesson 
  • Power of Reflection | PBL Works
  • Listening to My Students Changed My Project Plans [for the Better] | PBL Works
 

Technology Station
Student makes instructional decisions/Student dominant

7. Students use individual data to determine tasks to complete.
Self-Direction + Opportunities for Input 
PBL: Student Voice & Choice
Next Move: Teach students how to review their own data and make purposeful decisions about what to practice or which task to complete.
  • How Do I support Students in Building Agency and Owning Their Data | The Learning Accelerator 
  • Student Ownership:How do I support student agency and owning their data? |  The Learning Accelerator
  • Building Self-Directed Habits with Work Plans (Google Slides) + Video I Personalized Learning Department, Dallas ISD
 
8. Students showcase learning through digital products.
Authentic Assessment 
PBL: Authenticity, Public Product, + Sustained Inquiry ​
Next Move: Assign task(s) that require students to show deep understanding through the creation of a final product that connects to the real world.
  • Best Tech-Creation Tools | The Learning Accelerator
  • Best Practices for Designing Effective Rubrics | Arizona State University
  • 8 Exceptional Inquiry-Based Learning Activities Students Will Love | Wabisabi Learning
 
9. Students interact digitally to provide feedback and make adjustments to products.
Data Driven Instruction + Self-Direction 
PBL: Critique & Revision, Authenticity, + Public Product
Next Move: Teach or model protocols for students to collaborate and provide feedback to peers when working online to create a joint product.
  • Tips and tricks for providing formative feedback in your digital classroom | Hapara
  • 10 tools for effective peer feedback in the classroom | Ditch that Textbook
  • Peer Feedback: Online Education | Canvas VU
Station Rotation Extended Progression (Updated June 2022)
File Size: 183 kb
File Type: pdf
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Station Rotation Progression | Foundation Phase
File Size: 178 kb
File Type: pdf
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Station Rotation Progression | Differentiated Phase
File Size: 171 kb
File Type: pdf
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Station Rotation Progression | Personalized Phase
File Size: 213 kb
File Type: pdf
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  • Home
  • About
    • Personalized Learning
    • Meet the Team
    • In the News
    • Impact Report
    • Sharing the Work
    • Blog
    • Flip the Switch
    • Resources for Families >
      • Personalized Learning for Families
      • Hybrid Learning for Families
  • The Rubric
    • Assessment and Data >
      • Data Driven Instruction
      • Student Feedback
      • Authentic Assessment
      • Choice in Assessment
    • Instructional Rigor >
      • Varied Learning Experiences
      • Differentiated Learning Objectives
      • Personalized Learning Pathways
      • Mastery Based Progression
    • Student Agency >
      • Rapport with Students
      • Self- Direction
      • Opportunities for Input
      • Advocacy Beyond Self
    • Classroom Culture >
      • Routines and Procedures
      • Peer Accountability
      • Growth Mindset
      • Sense of Purpose
    • Equity >
      • Self- Awareness
      • Diversity in Design
      • Collaborative Grouping
      • Access to Materials
    • Phases of PL
  • Readiness Continuum
    • 1 The PL Classroom
    • 2 Curriculum + Assessment
    • 3 Data Driven Instruction
    • 4 Social Emotional Learning
    • 5 The PL Graduate
    • 6 Principal/Leader
    • 7 Collaborative Design
    • 8 PL Campus Team
    • 9 Vision + Priorities
    • 10 Personalized PD + Supports
    • 11 Culture of Innovation
    • 12 Sustainability + Access
  • Progressions
    • Lab Rotation
    • Station Rotation
    • Individual Rotation
    • Flex Model
    • Flipped Classroom
    • Enriched Virtual
    • Distance Learning >
      • DLP | Establish a Learning Management System (LMS)
      • DLP | Engagement in Guided Learning
      • DLP | Engagement in Independent Learning
      • DLP | Feedback for Learning
    • Glossary
  • Fellowships
    • Innovation Showcase
    • Innovation in Teaching Fellowship
    • School Retool
    • iDesign Central
  • At-Home Learning Webinars
  • Opportunities
    • Educator Tours
    • Winter Design Excursion Exhibition
    • Self-Paced Google Certification Courses
    • Google Certification
    • University Partnerships- Texas Tech
    • Edcamp
    • PL Homecoming 2022
  • The Lighthouse