Tips on Good Classroom Centers
- Learning centers provide self-contained areas where students can pursue independent learning.learning basics image by Sergey Mostovoy from Fotolia.com
Classroom centers can help students and teachers maximize learner success by offering ways that the student can pursue independent learning. Teachers who create quality classroom centers utilize quality materials, clear directions, and interactive and interesting activities. Teachers need to interact with the students only as much as is required by the student. Learning centers, while more typical in pre-k through early elementary grades, can offer learning opportunities to any age student who is willing to engage in some independent learning. - Determine what you want students to get out of the learning center. You may achieve more success if you limit the learning center to a central theme or to a specific type of activity.
For example, you could create a learning center focused on the seasons of the year. The activities might include writing, art, reading, science and social studies, but the central thread is autumn. The activities allow the student to explore autumn holidays and discover why leaves change color in the autumn.
Alternately, you might have a math learning center that includes counters, clocks, activity sheets and math games, but the activities all revolve around math. The objectives for this center include teaching students to tell time, to work number problems, to solve word problems or to learn geometric properties. - Include activities a student can do herself or with another student, but don't require your direct involvement. You want activities that actively engage the student in the work and create a desire to learn. This type of learning center allows you to maximize your time and ability to work one-on-one or in small groups with students and still keep the other students actively engaged in learning.
Post clear directions for the activities and ensure that all necessary items are located in the center. Delete any activities that students don't use and find similar activities to those that are popular. Rotate the activities so students don't get bored and so that the activities work cooperatively with group instruction. - Provide activities that appeal to the various learning styles of students. Include visual, auditory and hands-on activities for each concept in the center. Allow each student to choose the kind of activities that appeal to him. Include some activities that require students to work together as a way to build social and interpersonal skills.
- The students in your class may have a variety of abilities and learn at different levels. Include activities that challenge your advanced students, activities that work within the skills of your lower level students, and activities for those who fall in between the two. Encourage students with different skills levels and abilities to work together so that each student learns and benefits from the interaction with another.
