I have had many questions about how I run literacy centers in my classroom. I thought it was about time I did a post on them.
Let me start by saying that I love creating literacy centers and my students love going to them! The following is taken from a packet I created for a course I taught on Literacy Centers. I revamped the packet and if you would like to check it out, click here. I have created links to my previous related posts and products within this post, just click on the blue words.
What
are Literacy Learning Centers?
are Literacy Learning Centers?
Literacy centers are independent
literacy based activities designed for students working in small groups. These activities should take the students
about 20-30 minutes to complete. The activities
include centers such as Book Nook, Listening Center, Story Unscramble, SpellingCenter, and many more. The students
complete a rotation of centers in one week.
The centers are designed for the practice and reinforcement of a
specific theme and/or phonic element of the week.
literacy based activities designed for students working in small groups. These activities should take the students
about 20-30 minutes to complete. The activities
include centers such as Book Nook, Listening Center, Story Unscramble, SpellingCenter, and many more. The students
complete a rotation of centers in one week.
The centers are designed for the practice and reinforcement of a
specific theme and/or phonic element of the week.
Why Use
Literacy Centers?
Literacy Centers?
Literacy
based centers enable the classroom teacher to focus on his/her guided reading
group, while the rest of the class is actively engaged in meaningful literacy
activities. Center based learning
fosters team-work, confidence, and a love of learning. Literacy Learning Centers are designed to
take the place of workbooks and “busy work.”
Do you remember when you were a student and the teacher left an
overwhelming list of workbook pages on the board for you to complete while
he/she met with his/her reading groups?
Well, centers are a fun and efficient alternative to workbook
pages. The same skills can be addressed
in centers as workbooks.
based centers enable the classroom teacher to focus on his/her guided reading
group, while the rest of the class is actively engaged in meaningful literacy
activities. Center based learning
fosters team-work, confidence, and a love of learning. Literacy Learning Centers are designed to
take the place of workbooks and “busy work.”
Do you remember when you were a student and the teacher left an
overwhelming list of workbook pages on the board for you to complete while
he/she met with his/her reading groups?
Well, centers are a fun and efficient alternative to workbook
pages. The same skills can be addressed
in centers as workbooks.
Creating
a Productive Learning Environment
a Productive Learning Environment
Before your even think about beginning centers, you must have
your rules and routines in place. A
great book on setting up routines is Harry Wong’s The First Days of School. Classroom routines help students become
better citizens, learners, and friends.
Students need to be taught the following:
your rules and routines in place. A
great book on setting up routines is Harry Wong’s The First Days of School. Classroom routines help students become
better citizens, learners, and friends.
Students need to be taught the following:
1.
How to leave and enter
the room
How to leave and enter
the room
2.
Where to locate
classroom materials
Where to locate
classroom materials
3.
Where to store and
organize belongings
Where to store and
organize belongings
4.
How to respond to an
emergency signal
How to respond to an
emergency signal
5.
How to sharpen a pencil
How to sharpen a pencil
6.
How to use the bathroom
facilities
How to use the bathroom
facilities
7.
How to respond to your
cues (i.e. lights out means quiet)
How to respond to your
cues (i.e. lights out means quiet)
8.
How to ask the teacher a
question
How to ask the teacher a
question
There are
many more routines that need to be discussed, modeled, and practiced on the
first few days of school. With time and positive reinforcement, your
classroom will become a smooth running, productive, learning environment.
many more routines that need to be discussed, modeled, and practiced on the
first few days of school. With time and positive reinforcement, your
classroom will become a smooth running, productive, learning environment.
Assigning
classroom jobs to students will help to ameliorate student interruptions during
guided reading. Below, I have listed the
jobs that help keep center time running smoothly.
classroom jobs to students will help to ameliorate student interruptions during
guided reading. Below, I have listed the
jobs that help keep center time running smoothly.
Center Helper: The classroom center
helper takes out the center baskets before centers starts and places them on
the appropriate table.
helper takes out the center baskets before centers starts and places them on
the appropriate table.
Classroom Greeter: The classroom
greeter greets all visitors who come knocking at your classroom door. If the visitors have come to share birthday
treats, the greeter knows where to get them birthday stickers and you can stay
at your guided reading group. The
greeter can be trained by you to handle a number of different situations.
greeter greets all visitors who come knocking at your classroom door. If the visitors have come to share birthday
treats, the greeter knows where to get them birthday stickers and you can stay
at your guided reading group. The
greeter can be trained by you to handle a number of different situations.
Pencil Technician: Sharpens the pencils
at the beginning or the end of the day so that there are always sharpened
pencils on hand for centers.
at the beginning or the end of the day so that there are always sharpened
pencils on hand for centers.
Rules and Consequences
There must be a reward
and consequence system in your classroom.
Unfortunately, students are not innately willing to follow the
rules. The discipline plan that I follow
in my classroom is from Lee Canter’s Assertive Discipline. You can read more about my classroom behavior system here.
and consequence system in your classroom.
Unfortunately, students are not innately willing to follow the
rules. The discipline plan that I follow
in my classroom is from Lee Canter’s Assertive Discipline. You can read more about my classroom behavior system here.
When your
rules and routines are in place, then you are ready to begin centers. I start by modeling one center with the whole
class, such as spelling center. As a
class we will rotate through the centers until 4 or 5 centers have been
modeled. This may take one or more days
to do. Once, I feel the class is ready
for independent centers, I set up the centers for them to rotate through
independently. Instead of pulling a
guided reading group, I walk around to monitor and assist the students at the
centers. This is a good time to take
mental notes of which students work well together and who should be
separated. You may need to observe the
students for one day’s rotation or the whole week. I prefer to observe for an entire week. I make sure to applaud exemplarily center
work and use much positive reinforcement during this time. The goal of modeling and teaching centers is
to get the students to work independently, responsibly, and productively. After, the rules and routines are established
for both your classroom and centers, adding new centers will become easier.
rules and routines are in place, then you are ready to begin centers. I start by modeling one center with the whole
class, such as spelling center. As a
class we will rotate through the centers until 4 or 5 centers have been
modeled. This may take one or more days
to do. Once, I feel the class is ready
for independent centers, I set up the centers for them to rotate through
independently. Instead of pulling a
guided reading group, I walk around to monitor and assist the students at the
centers. This is a good time to take
mental notes of which students work well together and who should be
separated. You may need to observe the
students for one day’s rotation or the whole week. I prefer to observe for an entire week. I make sure to applaud exemplarily center
work and use much positive reinforcement during this time. The goal of modeling and teaching centers is
to get the students to work independently, responsibly, and productively. After, the rules and routines are established
for both your classroom and centers, adding new centers will become easier.
Center
Set-Up
Set-Up
Where to set up and
house your centers:
house your centers:
Centers may be housed at designated center tables or the
centers may be mobile and housed in baskets.
I do a combination of both. Book Nook and Computer Center would obviously need to stay stationary. I also keep the Spelling, Listening, and Art Centers
at the same tables, while the other centers are taken to the students’
desks. The students’ desks are arranged
in clusters of 6-7 desks to create a table.
The supplies for these centers are always stored in a basket.
centers may be mobile and housed in baskets.
I do a combination of both. Book Nook and Computer Center would obviously need to stay stationary. I also keep the Spelling, Listening, and Art Centers
at the same tables, while the other centers are taken to the students’
desks. The students’ desks are arranged
in clusters of 6-7 desks to create a table.
The supplies for these centers are always stored in a basket.
You may also want to keep a small garbage pail at each
center for easy clean up. The center
group will be responsible for emptying the garbage pail when they clean up the
center. I like everything to be away when center time
is over. Clearly label the center
baskets and supplies. Make sure the students
know where to get the center baskets and where to return them. This is an important routine you should go
over before you begin centers. Wherever
you set up your centers, make sure you can see all of the centers from your
guided reading table.
center for easy clean up. The center
group will be responsible for emptying the garbage pail when they clean up the
center. I like everything to be away when center time
is over. Clearly label the center
baskets and supplies. Make sure the students
know where to get the center baskets and where to return them. This is an important routine you should go
over before you begin centers. Wherever
you set up your centers, make sure you can see all of the centers from your
guided reading table.
Center
Rotation and Grouping
Rotation and Grouping
I have a bulletin board set up as a center rotation board toshow the students what center they are at.
This is also called a “Center Management Board.” See my photo for an example. I velcro the students’ photos to different
colored squares to represent groups. For
literacy centers, I have 4-5 heterogeneously grouped children in a center group
and usually have 6 groups. I try to place only one child from each
guided reading group in a center. That
way, when a guided reading group is called, there are still other students left
in the center group. This is important
for centers like BINGO, Buddy Reading, and Memory. Above the group
photos are the center cards. I rotate
these cards to the right when we rotate centers. The center cards are just clipped on for easy
movement. Velcro also works well for
rotating the cards. Under each center group is a center reward
chart, where the students can earn “Center Stars.” Center rotation may also be set up using a
pocket chart with students’ names on index cards. Or you may use library pockets with popsicle
sticks to represent the students.
Manage
Center Behavior and Productivity:
Center Behavior and Productivity:
Introduce centers slowly. Teaching procedures for material use and
housekeeping will lead to successful independent center time. You can introduce the centers in a whole
class setting and brainstorm with your students what the center should look
like and sound like.
- Keep your students accountable for their independent center
work by periodically walking around while centers are going on. I like to have my centers run for 30 minutes
and have my guided reading group for only 20-25 minutes. This gives me enough time to observe the
students in their center groups. - Announce when there is only five minutes left until
clean-up. - Reward center groups that have worked well together. I staple a rewards chart under each center
group on the center board. After every
rotation, I decided if the group earned a “Center Star.” This is simply a star sticker on the reward
chart. To earn a center star, a group
must work well together, clean up nicely, and work productively. When a group earns five center stars, the
group is allowed to pick a prize from the prize box. - Reward individual students for trying their best. At the end of center rotations, I have the
students sit down at their desks with all of their center work they have done that
day. Students may stand up to share their
work with the class. The other students
are encouraged to give positive comments on the center work. Not all students have to share. I walk around during the sharing and look at
the students center work. I give
students one ticket if they have used their center time productively. The students store their tickets in snack
size zip-lock bags and can earn them throughout the day for other positive
behaviors. At the end of the day, the
students can cash in their tickets. Five tickets equal one prize from the prize
box. If I feel a student has done an
exemplary job on his/her center work, it gets hung up on the“Exemplary Center
Work” clothes line. Students strive to
get their work on this line.
The cute border above is by The Bubbly Blond! My adorable font is by Cara Carroll!
- Minimize interruptions by designating “Center Captains.” Select a student to be the “Center Captain for the other students. You can even make a cute little “Center Captain” necklace or place a star next to/on his/her photo. Make a stop sign to hold up to students who come up to you during guided reading. (Interruptions are allowed for emergency situations.)
I have a poster hanging in my room to remind students of the
things they can do when they finish their centers early. It is an easy reminder for the students and I
can just point to the poster if they come up to me. A great thing to have in students’ “Stay in
School Folder” is a “Bonus Packet.” These
are coloring sheets, word searches, and other fun activities that relate to the
month. Basically, it is all the extra worksheets
from my monthly files that I don’t do with the students but are easy enough for
them to do independently. *I have had a few requests to create “Bonus Packets” to sell. That is one of the projects on my “To Do List” for this summer.
things they can do when they finish their centers early. It is an easy reminder for the students and I
can just point to the poster if they come up to me. A great thing to have in students’ “Stay in
School Folder” is a “Bonus Packet.” These
are coloring sheets, word searches, and other fun activities that relate to the
month. Basically, it is all the extra worksheets
from my monthly files that I don’t do with the students but are easy enough for
them to do independently. *I have had a few requests to create “Bonus Packets” to sell. That is one of the projects on my “To Do List” for this summer.
Center
Focus
Focus
For literacy centers, I focus on the phonic element and story
theme of the week. So if the phonic
element is short e and the story is
about fish, I will have the students read and write the room for short e words. The Writing
Center will focus on fish and fish books will be on display in the book
nook. The Listening Center will either have a book that follows the phonic
element or the theme. The same holds
true for my choice of guided reading books.
If there is no reading story for the week, I will focus on the holiday
for the month or a thematic unit.
theme of the week. So if the phonic
element is short e and the story is
about fish, I will have the students read and write the room for short e words. The Writing
Center will focus on fish and fish books will be on display in the book
nook. The Listening Center will either have a book that follows the phonic
element or the theme. The same holds
true for my choice of guided reading books.
If there is no reading story for the week, I will focus on the holiday
for the month or a thematic unit.
Time
Limit
Limit
You may choose your own center rotation time limit. I prefer center rotations to last for half an
hour each. This gives the students ample
time to settle into their centers before I pull a guided reading group.
hour each. This gives the students ample
time to settle into their centers before I pull a guided reading group.
Unfinished
Center Work
Center Work
Students who are pulled from their group for guided reading are
not responsible for their center work. I
find that most of my students finish at least part of their work when they are
pulled for guided reading. If students
do not finish their work and have been working productively they are not
penalized. If this happens to students
all the time in a certain center you may want to revaluate the center
task. If students choose not to do any
center work, I send it home with a form (see form) and it has to be returned to
school the next day.
not responsible for their center work. I
find that most of my students finish at least part of their work when they are
pulled for guided reading. If students
do not finish their work and have been working productively they are not
penalized. If this happens to students
all the time in a certain center you may want to revaluate the center
task. If students choose not to do any
center work, I send it home with a form (see form) and it has to be returned to
school the next day.
I hope this post helped you. I created a Literacy Center Packet from this post. The images shared in this post can be found in the packet. Click here to check it out on TpT. I plan on adding more to the packet. Right now the packet is only $2.50. As I add more, I will raise the price. So, if you want to purchase now and download again when the updates come, you will be saving yourself some money. I am also open to suggestions for what you would like added to the packet.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for the shout out! I love the way you setup the pictures and the rotation of active and inactive centers! I may need to adapt mine! Ohhh and smart thinking with the star and clean-up!
You are welcome for the shout out! I love the borders. I am glad you liked the post, too.
Love all the detail! I'll be back to reread this bost this weekend.
Okay post not bost. I'm a little tired tonight.
Thanks Cecilia! I hear you…
These centers look like they have taken many trial and errors to get here. I am sure that through the different trails you have found what works well for the class. Thanks for putting this post together. They are so packed and organized nicely. I am going to share it what some of my co-workers that say they can't do it!
Thanks for the interesting post.
Iteachkidsabc@gmail.com
:o) V.
Special Teacher for Special Kids
Thanks V. I like to switch it up. I get bored myself. The students love the variety and I think it helps them stay focused. I introduced a Fluency Center by DeeDee Wills last month and they went nuts over it. I love that they think learning is fun.
Oh I just love this. I do my centers similar to this but I love the behavior management tip! I am going to implement that next week. I always have trouble getting them to work well together, to stay on task and clean up their station nicely! Thanks!!
Jessica
Fluttering In First
Jessica, this year my students are still struggling with cleaning up! Even with the stars. As for working together, they are getting better. Sometimes, I just randomly call out a center that looks like they are working quietly and tell them to go get a prize. All the other center groups get real quiet after that!
This is such an excellent post about centers!! I just sent it to my student teacher from last year since I would have loved reading something like this when I was just getting started. The star stickers is also a great idea. I may need to work that into our routine.
❤ -Stephanie
Falling Into First
Thank you Stephanie!
Erica- This was so incredibly helpful! I think that I was one of your followers who had emailed you about centers and guided reading. I have been struggling to make them work this year(my first year in first) and I look forward to using these great ideas to help me set up my centers for next year. I tried the daily 5 but it did not work for my kiddos. They love centers! The pictures are sooo helpful. I just purchased your spelling center book from Scholastic and am looking forward to adding it this year! You rock! The amount of thought and time you put into this post is much appreciated. Your firsties are so lucky to have such an amazing teacher!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Emma
Ms. Emma's Edventure
You are welcome Emma! Centers take a bit to figure out what works for you. I personally think Daily 5 is boring but easier to set up. I am always rushing on Monday morning setting up my centers, but once they are set up, everything runs smoothly. Good luck with blogging. Thank you for the kind words!
Love these ideas, especially for accountability. The page you send home to parents is very helpful…I have kids work outside at recess on their work if they don't finish, but think it would be really great for parents to know and see when their children aren't being as productive as they should be, and also to see what work they're doing during centers. Thanks!
You are welcome! Thank you so much for commenting.
This is a great post Erica! I love seeing how others set up stations in their room. Thanks for sharing in detail how you do yours.
I hope you don't mind, but I pinned it and I'm sharing it on FB with my followers! Thanks again.
ღDeAnne
First Grade and Fabulous
I don't mind at all! Pin and share away. Thank you!!!!
I love your center set-up. I recently revamped mine and went from 2 centers per day, with 4 kids at each center to just one center a day with 2 kids at each. We were trying to rush through 2 centers in about 30 minutes, now they have a half hour at one center. It really made a huge difference. I have something like your bonus packet, I call it a challenge pack and it stays in their folder too. I always have about 10 options for them to do when they're finished with a center. We're finally at that sweet spot where everything is humming along and before you know it the year will be over! Pinning this to come back to over the summer when I'm planning for next year.Thanks for sharing all of your great ideas! Your kids are so lucky to have you 🙂
Denise
Sunny Days In Second Grade
Love this post! Great information and pictures about centers. My students rotate through centers for a week also. Instead of the stop sign to keep interruptions at a minimum, I use a little lantern that I got at the Dollar Tree. If it is on, students know not to disturb the group. Love all your ideas.
Teresa
2nd Grade Pig Pen
Great explanation of centers and set up. I always have so many questions from readers about this. Your detailed plan is an easy layout for readers to understand. Nicely done Erica.
Marsha
A Differentiated Kindergarten
Posts like this makes me miss being in the regular classroom. I am definitely going to share with our first grade teachers. I love your organizational ideas!
Jennie
Jd's Rockin' Readers
Wowzers, girl! This is YeT another inpirational post! You are SUCH a wonderful blogger! Thanks for all the tips!
Growing Firsties
Love the way you set up your center. The pictures are a great idea along with the colorful bins! I'm loving all your ideas that I may just have to steal. The greeter idea is just so adorable and I could totally use a center helper! Thanks for this awesome post. =)
justwildaboutteaching.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for this post, Erica! I love how everything is so organized! I am returning from a year-long maternity leave and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. This post has really helped me get my ideas together 🙂
I have one question… What do you do with the kids' work when they are done? Do you put it all in one place, do you keep it, or do they just take it home?
Thanks for your help,
Valerie
I know we teach different grade levels Erica, but I feel I've learned so much from you. Thank you for sharing such detailed information on this…it's always so helpful to read how others manage these independent activities. 🙂
I loved reading about your set up! I'm already planning to use your group star charts. So easy and sensible! Thank you so much for sharing!
Laura
Peace, Love, and First Grade
I love your set up! I'm saving this post for when I get a full time position and can re-vamp my routine! Great ideas and techniques!
Ashley
The Teacher's Treasure Chest
I love your post! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Cheryl
Crayons and Curls
Wonderful post! I do my stations very similar to yours! I *love* that "unfinished work" note. SO many times I have students that do not finish work..sometimes it is their fault (for playing and such) and others it really is a lack of time. I try to, but we don't always have time to go back and catch up! I love that it holds them accountable, though!
Thanks Erica!!
Nicole
Rowdy in Room 300
This is so helpful, thank you. Some of it I was already doing, but many things were new to me. I LOVE all the ideas, and plan on using them to make my centers run more efficiently:)
Hi Erica, do you have a post that shows what is in your center bins? I'd love to see what exactly you're centers are. Thanks!
Thanks for always sharing your posts in such great detail! I love the accountability note! Often times because center work isn't graded, my students THINK they don't have to to put as much effort into it. I've been using a WOW work display to serve as motivation, but LOVE your note in terms of accountability! Thanks for the idea! =)
Tanya
A+ Firsties
Love the note home to parents to hold children accountable for finishing their work! I am always trying to scramble to find time for children to finish up their incomplete center work during some other part of the school day. Great post!
Kelly
Kindergarten Kel
This will be my first year teaching 1st grade and your post has been an EXCELLENT help as I prepare to organize what centers will look like in my room. Thank you!