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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 7 2007, 6:47 PM EDT (current) | stephaniebartell | |
| Apr 7 2007, 6:46 PM EDT | stephaniebartell | 2 words added, 2 words deleted |
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There are many different ways to manage literacy centers. The important thing to remember is that you should not be interrupted when you are working with your small groups. The key to running successful centers is choosing a management system that works for you. Here are some examples of management systems:
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Rotating: I have two timers in my room which I set for 17 and 20 minutes. When the first timer goes off, that is the signal for students to start cleaning up. When they are finished cleaning they STAY at their centers until they hear the second bell. This encourages students to really clean up the centers and be responsible for materials. When the second timer goes off students move to their next center. During this time I am finishing up with a guided reading group, or preparing for the next one. I will call over the students I want to meet with, but I do not give any direction to the students working in centers. If students need a reminder of where to go next, they look at the work board.
When planning your classroom rotations consider:
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 This teacher uses center buddies. Students work with a partner at one center a day. |
 This teacher also uses small groups or buddies. Students go to two centers a day. |
 This teacher is using the same system as above, but she uses students' pictures. Using pictures with young students allows for easier identification of center groups--- especially when students are looking at the board from across the room. |
 This is a picture of the workboard in my classroom. I have five groups of fours students each. My groups are heterogeneous, so one student from each of my guided reading groups makes up my center groups. Students go through three center rotations and a guided reading group every day. That means students will skip one center a day (while they are meeting in a guided reading group.) The groups shift to the right every day so students never miss the same center two days in a row. |
Rotating: I have two timers in my room which I set for 17 and 20 minutes. When the first timer goes off, that is the signal for students to start cleaning up. When they are finished cleaning they STAY at their centers until they hear the second bell. This encourages students to really clean up the centers and be responsible for materials. When the second timer goes off students move to their next center. During this time I am finishing up with a guided reading group, or preparing for the next one. I will call over the students I want to meet with, but I do not give any direction to the students working in centers. If students need a reminder of where to go next, they look at the work board.
When planning your classroom rotations consider:
–How will students move from center to center?
–How will you ensure students are completing the key centers?
–How long should students spend in centers?
–Are there limits to how many students can be in a center?
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- use your physical space to reduce management problems before they occur
- seperate noisy areas from quiet areas
- think about your line of sight from the guided reading area
- materials should be clearly labeled and sorted neatly
- students should be explicitly taught how to handle/clean up materials
- be sure students understand what to do with finished/unfinished work
