Do you have students work at centers or stations?
Do you trouble with students mixing up their papers or materials?
Do you spend valuable teaching time trying to organize the station over and over again?
I have an easy way to help manage centers or stations in your classroom
that I have used for years and years… it works like a charm.
How?
I make copies of work on colored card stock.
(Here is a great pack of assorted cardstock to show you what I like to purchase.)
(Here is a great pack of assorted cardstock to show you what I like to purchase.)
Nothing big, bad, or even hard… but it works.
Look at this center station from this past week.
I copied the activity onto four different colored pieces of card stock.
When the students come to that station, they pick a color and get to work.
There is no confusion or organization problems.
You can differentiate easily this way too.
You can make one color harder and another color easier… as well as change out the skill used.
When Jill does to complete this station, instruct her to do the red sheets.
Bobby can do the red activity.
My cross off sheet is face down in the basket because of student names,
but you easily color code their names with the colored paper you want them to do.
Sadly, I ask for and receive colored card stock for Christmas since I use it THAT much…
but it is worth it!
I've been using colored paper for student work for awhile. It helps me to stay organized and I get tired of looking at all white papers, too. But how do you keep some students from complaining that they don't get the color they want? I always have to remind that "they get what they get and don't throw a fit". Even when I switch colors, some still have to say something each time.
Great question! Sometimes, I have a classroom that makes everything a fight… including color paper. We usually say the same little saying. I also reward those students who give up a color to make someone else happy or just go with the flow. The reward can be positive praise, a mini marshmallow, star towards star student, etc. If I reward for the behaviors that I want, I usually see more of them. AND I tell the students who INSIST on a particular color and they can't have it right then… I INSIST they wait until the other student finishes… wasting their time… After one time, it usually doesn't happen again.
Smart idea!
Jennifer
First Grade Blue Skies
You are always so sweet Jen.
I love this idea and can't wait to use it this week. A question for you – back in December you recorded a book for student gifts (the cold lady who swallowed some snow)-where did you get the cute stick-ons for the cd? I loved this idea. Thanks for always sharing.
Maryann
brennemm@carlisleschools.org
I love this idea and can't wait to use it this week. A question for you – back in December you recorded a book for student gifts (the cold lady who swallowed some snow)-where did you get the cute stick-ons for the cd? I loved this idea. Thanks for always sharing.
Maryann
brennemm@carlisleschools.org
They are from Avery. I get them in the labels section.
Love! I too am a huge consumer of colored cardstock. I never thought about using the colors to differentiate the centers. Thanks for sharing! I am loving your blog and am your newest follower:)
Tara
The Math Maniac
I like to use different colors of cardstock, too. We put it on our class supply list, so every fall my cardstock supply is replenished!
Linda
KinderDoodles
PS I'm a follower!