Centers Facilitate Growth

Have you wanted to try centers in your classroom, but weren’t sure where to start? Did you trycenters and were not successful? If you answered yes to either of these questions, read on and I will try and answer some basic questions teachers often have about centers.

What does a center-based classroom look like? A well-run center-based classroom will have small groups of children working independently at all of the centers, the teacher leading a small group at the guided reading center and perhaps a parent facilitating another center. Furthermore, children will be engaged in the activities, well trained about the procedures, and involved in their own learning.

Learning centers facilitate growth and learning

• first centers provide an opportunity for small-group reading instruction.

• besides enhancing student learning centers teach students responsibility.

• and centers allow you to teach to a variety of learning styles.

• furthermore centers offer a wide variety of activities for students to learn from.

• in addition centers allow students to work at their own level while reviewing and practicing skills.

• equally important centers promote cooperative learning

Questions and Answers!

Q: What is a center?

Firstly, a center is a physical area in a classroom set aside for a specific learning purpose. Secondly make sure the center has appropriate materials and supplies so students can work individually or in cooperative groups.

Q: How many students should I put in each group?

We recommend three to four students in each group so you can maximize learning.

Q: How long do students spend at each center?

Twenty to thirty minutes at each center is an adequate amount of time for students to complete most center activities.

Q: How do students know where to go when it is time to

rotate centers?

By teaching and practicing the routines and procedures followed at center time, your students will know what you want them to do. In addition, we suggest you follow a clockwise rotation pattern to rotate students through centers.

Q: How do I group my students for centers?

To teach to the varied levels in all classrooms, we suggest you group your students by reading abilities. By grouping students this way, you can meet the instructional needs of all your students in language arts. Learning centers will allow you to teach to your low, medium, and high ability groups and move everyone forward.

Finally, if you need more in depth information on running centers in an elementary classroom Click Here!

Check in next week for more questions and answers to running centers in your classroom!