Learning Centers

Presented by… Kim Boswell- Grade 1 Erika Wills- Grade 4 Angela Gentilini- Grade 8 Bridget Deal- Curriculum Manager

Why do we use learning centers? Provide intervention or enrichment Differentiate Teach students to follow routines and directions Teach students to manage time and materials Teach students to work independently or with peers.

How to prepare centers: *Centers should be fun, engaging, and meaningful! 1.Identify the objectives, instructional needs and ability levels. 2.Identify your individual centers. 3.Create your materials. 4.Create centers where the procedures are always the same, but the materials are new. 5.Number or Name centers. 6.Post instructions with the center. 7.Have a system for assigning students to centers.

How can centers be organized? *How centers are organized, depends on how long your students have been doing centers, how much movement they need, the materials being used, etc: Center Stations around the room. Mobile Centers in bins or baskets to work around room. Desk Centers given to groups. Group can stay while centers rotate or vice versa.

How do you teach students to participate in centers? Be patient! 1.Start with one or two centers. 2.Begin by showing students the materials, the location, and procedures. Model for whole class and use student models. *Can show video examples. 3.Discuss rules and procedures for how to: move around centers, use materials, complete work, submit work, collaborate, manage time, etc. 4.Model, model. Practice, practice. Keep expectations high for appropriate participation.

Transitions are Key! Transitions help students move to centers, between centers, and to conclude centers with: Songs- sing or play CD Count down Choral response Clapping Timer Look for transition tricks in the upcoming videos.

Kim Boswell- 1 st Grade Reading How are centers explained? How are centers organized? What is the teacher’s role? How are students kept on task? How is learning assessed?

Erika Wills- 4 th Grade Geometry How are centers explained? How are centers organized? What is the teacher’s role? How are students kept on task? How is learning assessed?

Angela Gentilini-8 th Grade Research & Writing How are centers explained? How are centers organized? What is the teacher’s role? How are students kept on task? How is learning assessed?

How to monitor the effectiveness of centers: *Are students working and are they learning? Start centers by being the facilitator. Reinforce routines, support and challenge. While in teacher guided group, continue to prompt on-task behavior around room. Can leave guided group to “check in” periodically. Have a system for rewarding time on-task. Exit Card or Completed Work Folder. Check work for completeness and correctness.

Resources Literacy Centers K-3 Math Centers K-3 Math Stations Gr /Domain/338/mathstationsv8.pdf Literacy Stations Gr

How will centers work for you? 1. Pick a subject 2. Where will your centers be? (desks, shelves, stations, etc) 3. Think of 4 center activities that stay the same, while the content evolves. 4. Center activities must be doable and meaningful to keep students engaged.