Centers
I have a center
time each day. My centers are a combination of Developmental Centers
and Literacy Centers.
I began slowly with
only 4 "play" centers and through guided discovery my
kinders are introduced to "bossy" centers. I assign
them a group and a center. We learn how to clean up and how to
rotate to different centers. I also introduce a simple center
menu sheet for them to record their choices.
We then move to
"choice" centers, (after about 6 weeks of school) but
the number of centers is still small. I do switch the centers
that are open so that they experience all of them. Now - 10 weeks
into the school year - they are ready for the "Big Center
Chart."
This chart holds
20 center choices and I have 5 groups of children - 3 to 4 kids
per group. Each center group has 4 choices for the day and they
move freely between them, cleaning up as they go. I do not have
worksheets that they have to complete or things to sign off because
I simply can't manage it. Someone always needs me somewhere else.
I do my "kidwatching" during center time with my clipboard
and I do make sure that my centers all have a learning component.
We also have snack sometime during centers - the kids choose when.
At the end of center time, each group is responsible for cleaning
up their 4 centers together. We then record our choices on our
center menu. It is a miniature version of the "Big Center
Chart." I then have a reference of what they did or did not
do. Their parents can also see what they chose. The whole rotation
takes 2 weeks. Then I replace some activities and switch center
groups so the children have a chance to work with other children.
Each month my kinders
take home a Family Activity Calendar. If they return it at the
end of the month they receive a "Free Center Pass."
They may use this to go to any center, with any friend, during
one center time.
The picture cards
for center organization came from the following resources:
Guided Reading:
Making it Work
Guided Reading:
Good First Teacher for All Children
Center Photos
The "Big Center
Chart"
This is a calendar
pocket chart with 3" squares.
The ABC Center
-ABC cookie cutters
Big Book Center
Don't tell my kinders
that it says POEMS - they are coming!
The Block Center
Right now it is
small wooden blocks.
Book Basket Center
These baskets are
portable and hold regular books plus class made books.
Buddy Reading Center
The kinders can
sit here with a buddy or two to read together.
Computer Center
This center is using
KidPix right now and CD-Roms will be introduced as the kids are
ready.
The Game Center
A wide assortment
of classics and learning games.
The House Center
This center changes
with our themes - it will become a post office and a pizza parlor
plus others.
Independent Reading
Center
Books that have
been read aloud or thematic books are on this shelf.
The Listening Center
I have headsets
with a tape and book.
The Magnetic Center
An assortment of
magnets - letters, picture cards, story sequence cards.
The Math Center
This center changes
often - here there is a sorting box with trays and two magnetic
sorting boards.
The Overhead Center
The kinders use
this for math or language - I have a variety of teaching tools
for the overhead from my first grade days.
The Art Center
Painting, markers
and imagination!
The Pocket Chart
Center
My kinders love
to play memory in my hundreds pocket chart.
The Puppet Center
An assortment of
books and puppets that go with the story.
The "Read the
Room" Center
The kinders take
a pointer and glasses and head out around the room looking for
letters, words, numbers and other print they can read.
The Sand Table
I change the contents
about every six weeks. Here you see sunflower seeds with measuring
cups and containers.
The Science Center
Right now the science
center has bird stuff - nests, eggs, feathers and books. There
are magnifying glasses for a good look and pencils and papers
to write about birds.
The Writing Center
An assortment of
tools, paper and books.
To find lots of thematic
manipulatives visit
To find lots of Professional
Resources Books relating to Learning Centers visit
HOME
This page went online
November, 2001.
All non-credited text
and materials © Patsi Kugler, 2001.
