Set Up SkillPop Stations

The name – SkillPop Stations – may sound familiar.

SkillPop classes are trending in many cities, covering subjects from apple pie prep to zookeeping.

The very name – SkillPop – is an instant attention grabber…and an invitation to all who participate to

SkillPop classes offer first hand, on- the-spot learning, but Internet tutorials are an option to add to SkillPop stations.

learn something new and special.

SkillPop classes offer first-hand, on-the-spot learning, but Internet tutorials are an option to add to SkillPop stations if you can access the Net and specialty instructors are in short supply in your setting.

Check out these creative options for setting up SkillPop Stations:

Dive into Marine Biology – A Cool SkillPop – First choice for this SkillPop Station…invite a local science museum docent to visit your group on SkillPop Station Day.

Ask the guest to bring materials related to Marine Biology (or another science subject in which she/he is skilled). Post the guest at a desk with a sign atop that reads, SkillPop Station – Marine Biology.

Invite kids to stop by this station for a quick science lesson during SkillPop Time.

Line up your guest(s) ahead of time, but keep SkillPop as a surprise for the kids until the morning you have it scheduled.

Encourage students to make friends with classmates or camp mates who choose the same SkillPop Stations.

SkillPop is getting great reviews!

Listen for feedback and you’ll likely hear comments like, “This is a cool way to learn! It’s fun to make new friends who like the same SkillPop stations that I do.”

Take kids on a SkillPop vacation…

SkillPop in a reading center doesn’t require the presence of an adult, but a library specialist can enrich readers’ island.

Set Up a Sunny SkillPop – Beach Readers’ Island – Bring in a beach umbrella and some beach towels.

Hang a cardboard cut-out sun above the umbrella and make a sign that reads, Beach Readers’ Island.

Post it in your Reading Center or on a table in one corner of the classroom.

When you announce that it’s SkillPop Time, invite students to choose a book and towel and find a spot to read for a while.

You may need to set a time limit on Beach Readers’ Island and have kids take turns there.

If there is a big demand for this SkillPop Station, manage this imaginative activity with humor. Tell the class, “We’ll have to set time limits in Beach Readers’ Island because it’s not good to be in the sun too long.”

Give this activity some extra science curriculum punch by selecting beach-related books to leave in the center.

For example, fifth graders may study beach erosion while they stretch out on Beach Readers’ Island.

Line up a SkillPop Featuring a Foreign Language Luau – Hawaii here we come. Post a sign near the Luau that reads, Welina! (Hawaiian for Welcome!)

First Choice for this SkillPop Station…invite someone local who teachers and/or speaks a foreign language to visit your group on SkillPop Station Day.

Ask the guest to bring bi-lingual materials in your language and the second language that the guest speaks. Request bi-lingual vocabulary cards.

Find a decorative box to set out for the guest to use to hold the vocabulary cards.

To create a luau setting, access a party store that stocks multi-colored leis; they are usually inexpensive to buy.

(Leis can also be made by hand using colored tissue paper, weaving pieces together.)

Place an open gift box full of leis on a table next to the box of vocabulary cards.

Suggest to the guest that he/she challenge students to pick a card in one language and find the corresponding word or phrase card in the second language, rewarding kids with a lei for a prize when they get five correct matches.

Set Up SkillPop Stations to Suit You! – As SkillPop continues trending, design other SkillPop Stations that center kids’ attention and feature different subjects that suit your instructional plan in school, at camp, or elsewhere.

Remember, you don’t need to be a magician to work magic in any instructional setting!

Talk with you again soon,

Barbara ♥ The Lovable Poet