Learning stations, also called activity centers or learning centers, consist of a number of locations around a classroom where students can work individually or in small groups to complete an activity or task. Learning stations can be used for language arts, math, science, art or any other subject, and can be tailored to work for kids in elementary school through high school. By setting up learning centers that each focus on a different mode of learning, such as visual/spatial, interpersonal and kinesthetic, teachers can cater to students with many different natural learning styles and strengths.
Choice boards are visual displays that offer students a range of teacher-selected activities to choose from. There are many ways to set up choice boards, and teachers can choose a method that best fits the needs of their curriculum and their students. One option is to list activities under three columns. Column A includes activities that focus on basic understanding of course material. Column B activities allow students to apply material learned, while Column C focuses on analysis of material. The teacher can instruct individual students to choose activities from a particular column, depending on how well they already understand the material.
The tic-tac-toe method starts with a three-by-three grid of squares, each square containing an activity choice. Students can choose any of the activities on the grid, but they must complete three activities in a line to achieve a "tic-tac-toe" by the end of the class period. Gifted Consultant Laurie Westphal recommends that teachers reserve the center square for a "free choice" activity that the student proposes and has approved ahead of time.
A 2-5-8 list menu contains three categories of activities. Knowledge- and comprehension-based activities are valued at two points each, application and analysis activities are five points each, and evaluation and synthesis activities are eight points each. Students choose two activities from any of the columns on the list, but the activities must total at least 10 points. This method has the advantage of engaging students of varying ability levels, and including basic as well as higher-level thinking tasks.