Abbreviation Stations

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling

• Tell the students that sometimes abbreviations are used on a letter or to consolidate or shorten a word.
• Tell the students that you are going to make a chart that represents some common abbreviations.
• Using several pieces of chart paper, write the following headings, one on each piece of chart paper: Days of the Week, Months of the Year, Streets and Roads, Titles, and Units of Measurement.
• Demonstrate the correct spelling and punctuation used for the abbreviations found in each category.
• If desired, distribute individual whiteboards and whiteboard markers and invite students to attempt common abbreviations as you prepare to write them on the chart.

Guided Practice

• Divide students into small groups so that there are five total groups and five stations.
• Assign each group to one of the abbreviation sets of cards.
• Place an individual whiteboard and whiteboard marker at each station.
• Challenge the students to work on matching each complete word to the corresponding abbreviation. Ask them to write how they could use that abbreviation on the individual whiteboard.
• Rotate around the room and assist small groups as needed.
• Time each group two minutes at each station, before asking students to rotate to the next station.

Independent working time

• Ask the students to complete the worksheet Abbreviation Situations.
• If students have difficulty finding specific words that can be abbreviated, assist in underlining clue words.