CREATE Stations: E stands for EXPLORE for Grades K - 1

Our explore library station in our CREATE acronym can encompass so many different tasks. Often times, the activities in the EXPLORE station can be interchangeable with ENGINEERING. 

The explore station is slightly different because we often use this station to focus on science, research, nonfiction texts, and fiction storylines. We change it up throughout the year depending on the grade level, what we are studying, and the standards we want to cover. 

In fact, our EXPLORE station for Kindergarten involves our magformers. Students create buildings, structures, animals, and towns using these magformer tiles. 

The students love being able to manipulate these, and they are very easy to clean up! If you are looking for the lesson plan and station signs that are aligned with the AASL standards as well as NGSS and VA SOLs, you can find them HERE on TPT for free. 

For first graders, the EXPLORE station requires some fine motor skills. We used connectagons, which are wooden interlocking blocks. Check them out here on Amazon: Connectagons Interlocking STEM toys. These are different from the brainflakes because these have patterns and themes that allow students to create models. 

Years ago we purchased these, and we were able to get three sets: geometric shapes, woodland creatures, and space connectagons. The space connectagons are really fun; students love to create a galaxy of stars with the moon and constellations. 

It is exciting to watch students build, design, and even discuss their creations in their small group setting. The other set of connectagons we have, the woodland habitat, have different characters and animals. Students get caught up in imaginary role playing, and I love to watch them interact and create stories while they are building and designing.

Feel free to download the station signs HERE. Per usual, it includes the standards of learning as well as the AASL standards. 

Below is another example of a table sign I use that has both the kindergarten and first grade station information and standards. This is a great visual to show teachers and admin who visit your library how this station fulfills and supports their standards through application and play. Click HERE to may a copy of the chart if you would like to use it and make any changes. To view the chart, click on the image below.