Centers In Your Classrooms Presented by Elizabeth Elias

Part I: Introduction 1.Survey 2.Theory-Vygotsky 3.Short History

What Do You Do in Your Classroom? (Survey) In small groups discuss the following questions. 1. What types of instruction do you mostly use for meeting the individual needs of your students? 2. How often do you use small group instruction? (If never, why not?) 3.How often do you assess and regroup students in small groups? 4.What do you see as the biggest challenge when (if) using small groups/centers?

Vygotsky’s Theory “Zone of Proximal Development” ZONE OF PROXIMAL DEVELOPMENT = “Distance between the actual development level as “Distance between the actual development level as determined by individual problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers” (Walker, 2000, p. 108) (Walker, 2000, p. 108)

How does Vygotsky’s “ZPD” affect classroom instruction? Students’ ZPD’s are where explicit teacher/peer guidance is necessary. Small group instruction and centers allow for teachers/peers of students to scaffold fellow students. Such communities of practice can be established to help meet the individual needs of students. Students’ ZPD’s are where explicit teacher/peer guidance is necessary. Small group instruction and centers allow for teachers/peers of students to scaffold fellow students. Such communities of practice can be established to help meet the individual needs of students.

Short History of Small Group Instruction oVarious groupings of students have been used throughout teaching. oTwo most commonly used groupings are heterogeneous and homogenous groups oHeterogeneous=different abilities in same small groups oHomogeneous=same abilities grouped together

Part II: Organization 1.Survey: What types of groups do you prefer? 2.Homogeneous Groups: Using Data to group 3.Heterogeneous Groups 4.Placing your students in both types of groups 5. Arranging your classroom

In small groups answer the following questions. 1.Do you every group your students in pairs, small groups of 3 to 4 students, or larger groups (e.g., half of your class) for small group instruction? 2.When you have students who read below or above grade level how do you meet their needs? (What techniques, groupings, etc… do you use, please explain…) 3.What concerns you the most about using centers/small group instruction? 4. What might be the benefits of using small groups/centers in your class? Survey II: What Types of Groups Do You Prefer?

Using information about your students 1.Using formal test scores, information from Individual Reading Inventories, Portfolios, Classroom Anecdotal Records, etc… that you brought with you today, begin to see common areas of concern in your students. 2.Try to combine groups 3 to 4 students who share similar needs (e.g., reading levels, fluency development, decoding skills, etc..) 3.Recognize the different dynamics 9personalities, interests, etc…) of the groups and make sure the groups you are creating are able to work together. 4. Be willing to change the groups frequently to meet the continuous needs of your students. 5.Write the names of your students in groups on the “Small Group Instruction Teams” provided in your notebook. Homogeneous Groups: Using Data to Group Your Students

Heterogeneous Groups can be assigned based on any of the following: 1.Specific skills needed 2.Same interest groups 3.Quality of work habits 4.Knowledge of content 5.Social reasons (leaders, followers, talkers, etc…) 6.Random selection (name out of a hat tactic) 7.Student choice Heterogeneous Groups

1.Using the “Organizing Teams-A Class for Practice” by Dr. Spencer Kagan begin the formal and informal assessments you brought with you. 2.Determine which assessment you are going to use to group and write each student’s score from that assessment on the “score” section of little white cards. 3.Decide how many groups you are going to have in your classroom. 4.Designate a “High”, “Medium High”, “Medium Low”, and “Low” to each group. 5.Write these groups on the “Flexible Teams” provided in this section of the notebook. Creating Heterogeneous Groups in Your Classroom

Ideas about how to arrange your room… 1.Use Groups of desks as an area for a center. 2.Create boxes, tubs, or baggies of activities and manipulatives that can be spread out on the floor. 3.Corners of your room can be used as an area. Just put bean bags, chairs, or carpet squares in an area that is readily available. 4.Set up a bulletin board to be used as a center. Place materials in folders, pockets, etc… so that they are accessible to students. 5.Place games, books, manipulatives in GIFT BAGS. 6.Use storage tubs, lunch boxes, or large coffee cans to keep manipulatives easy to store and move around your classroom. Arranging Your Room