Developing Blocked Centers Time in a K-2 ClassroomWendy MerrittKindergarten Teacher, Reading SpecialistSt. Patrick, Fayetteville

Classroom Learning Centers:A Nontraditional Approach Veers from the traditional “teach and

listen” approach into a more hands-on learning style

Actively engages learners Allows teachers the ability to work with

students one-on-one or in small groups to target specific skills

Promotes independence, responsibility, and allows opportunity for self-discovery

Classroom Learning Centers: What to Focus On Activities that allow students to figure things

out through hands-on activities with flexible outcomes

Set up the system so that it includes “must do” and “can do” eliminating the “I’m done, now what?” option for keeping the children busy

Activities that incorporate cognitive skills training (Thinking processes are tended to - not just subject material learning activities)

What Subject Matter Can Be Covered in a Center Reading Second Language Skills Mathematics Science Social Studies Religion Writing Handwriting/Motor

Development Technology (iPads,

laptops, desktops)

Types of Activities to Consider Flip books File folder games Work mats Math manipulative

sets Craft-type

creations Technology

Writing activities Dry erase boards Cut/paste sheets Student created

books Experiments Educational

toys/puzzles

Flip Books

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• Organization of data• “Fold-ables”

File Folder Games

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• Books that sell premade templates

• Maybe have more than one activity on topic/theme and children can pick their preferred

Math Manipulative Work

• Patterning• Calculations• Geometry: tangrams, 3D

objects• Place value work

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Manipulative Options

“Workjobs” Boxes

Craft-type Creations

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• Kinesthetic learners• Themed/holiday related• Following written directions

exercises

Example Crafts – directly related to subject matter

Writing Activities

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• Daily sentence writing• Labeling Book• Handwriting practice

Weekly Themed Sentences

Dry (or wet) Erase boards and mats

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• Dry erase boards (making lists, etc.)

• Make any worksheet at reusable mat by laminating

Cut/Paste Activities and Other Worksheets

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• Math fact sheets (with manipulative sets to assist – Remember the “workjob” boxes?)

Student Created Books

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• Considered breaking down the work of a book over the course of several days

Science Experiments

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• Magnets• Floating/sinking• On-going data recording

opportunities

Accountability

Self-Check/Assess

Students determine accuracy through some set standard about the completion of their task(s)

Teacher Assessed

Teacher is able to see results and give instant feedback on accuracy, effort, and creativity of the work

Self-Check/Assess Options Allow students to have access to

“answer key” Post rubric/checklist for students to

confirm completion, if there are no “exact” answers

Students need to some how show their own record of completion (Holds them accountable and confirms for them and you that the center is complete)

Self-Check/Assess

Advantages No need for teacher

to “sign-off” Students can move

through tasks without waiting for approval to go from task to task

Disadvantages Design of rubrics or

answer keys can be difficult

Students may not properly complete tasks

Students may misuse answer keys

Teacher/Adult Assessed Teachers ensures accurate use of skills Correcting and re-teaching is done

immediately, as needed Proof of completion is done by the

teacher

Consider parents or older grade student volunteers to support your assessing

Teacher/Adult Assessed

Advantages Individualized

attention and conversation makes for more meaningful experience

Immediate feedback Ensures accurate

skill usage

Disadvantages Students must wait

for teacher/others to “check” their work

Visual Accountability

Student can see their progress/status and note completions

Communication to Parent from teacher

Parent can engage child “What did you do today?”

Annotation Options

Annotation Options

Setting Up Your Classroom Environment Know your availabilities and limitations

Space, furniture, available personnel Schedules, curriculum, available materials Management plans for students

They will finish their tasks at different times

Make it something that works for you! The likelihood of you doing this depends

on how “on-board” you are

How to Organize

Pods, Tables, Rows

Children know what they are doing based on placement of activities

Trays or Baskets Children stay at

own seat and move to retrieve materials from organized location

Pods, Tables, Rows Materials are available at the

designated area Activities planned for each designated

area Consider setting up a longer activity

among two tables Movement transitions can benefit some

learning styles but be difficult for others – watch for this!

Pods, Tables, Rows

Advantages Area designated for

specific type of work Student movement

allows for good transitions

Students sitting next to different students at each activity

Disadvantages If using desks set in

pods or rows: Supply management Ensure personal spaces

are respected Enough seating for

students coming to designated area (consider “over-flow” area)

Trays and Baskets Materials are kept on trays or in baskets

Determine whether students will take whole tray/basket to their seats or they must remove only the necessary materials to take with them to their seat

Trays/baskets must be kept in a “staging” area and be easily accessed by multiple students at one time Consider your traffic flow

Trays and Baskets

Advantages Students have to

return to their seat Good for rooms

without tables/pod seating

All materials are prepared kept in one place

Disadvantages Students have to

return to their seat Staging area must

be large enough to contain items and allow for continuous movement in/out of the area

Sample Classroom Layout