Assessment-driven Classroom Management Using PALS Results Managing Your Literacy Block Organizing Literacy Centers

Organizing Literacy Centers “While I’m leading a reading group, what are my other kids doing?”

All literacy centers should be purposeful and reinforce the literacy concepts and skills taught during directed instruction.

How do I set-up and run my literacy centers?  Select a manageable number of literacy centers.  Support the 5 components of reading  Phonological Awareness  Phonics  Fluency  Comprehension  Vocabulary Provide a work board, or visual display, for assigning students to centers. Use a checklist to insure students complete centers. Keep it simple. Centers should be easy to maintain and update.

Teaching Students to Use Centers Gradually introduce your literacy centers –Establish clear expectations for behavior –Introduce 1 new center each day. Begin with simplest centers and gradually add more complex –Practice using a center before adding others. –Provide oral and written directions (use icons or pictures for emergent & beginning readers) Initially, offer guided feedback & support ALWAYS review basic procedures and expectations for centers

Teaching Students to Use Centers (cont.) Model routines for using centers: –how to read the workboard –how to use the center materials –how to share & talk with classmates –how to clean up Anticipate potential problems at centers –have small groups roleplay problems, e.g., arguing over a book, missing materials, etc. –let children help to create peaceful solutions

What does a workboard look like? A workboard includes: –names of the centers –children in each group Post it in a central location that is eye-level for students Use words, icons, pictures, and photos to help students understand the board Teach students to use the workboard independently.

Sample Work Board

How do students move from center to center? At 1st, model and practice transitions in small groups. Move by groups at the beginning of center time. Limit the # of people at a center. Designate 1 center to handle back-ups. ALWAYS review the transition process daily with students. Let the class help to brainstorm and to evaluate transitions. Provide positive feedback for smooth transitions.

How much time is spent at centers? Timed Centers give a pre-determined time for each center Use a timer Build in 1-2 minutes for clean-up Use a checklist to hold students accountable Untimed Centers students move at their own pace as they complete work keep a checklist for clean-up at the center prioritize particular centers to be completed

Organizing Literacy Centers Small Group Activity: Samples of Literacy Centers

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