Any and All Ideas, Books, and Materials for Learning Centers

[stone2603]

I did my first day of centers today. Not having done them before and the children swtiching into a new mode in the class, it went like this:

"I'm bored." "Can I leave?" "When do I get to paint?" "I don't want to go to that center." "I don't get it."

So, I'm hoping to gather as much info as possible on:

-Books to buy focusing on centers for PreK.

-Advice on transistions between centers.

-How to prep a center for the day.

-What materials should be used in a center (free for all, only what the teacher laid out, theme for the week things?)

-How to keep the kids at the center and doing the project.

-What centers to use in limited space and with limited supplies, and how to rotate them.

Any other advice/tips/tricks would be wonderful!

Thanks in advance!!

[minimiracles]

I use centers in my 4-5 year old classroom. We use a necklace system for keeping track of who is where. Each area has a differnt colored necklace, they are hung in a central location under a picture of the center. If a child wants to use a center they have to have that color necklace on. If there are no more necklaces they have to go somewhere else. For the popular centers (easel, block, computer) I have a list that they can put there name on and when someone leaves if there is a name on the list they let that child know. We also have a 5 minute rule. You have to be in an area at least 5 minutes. If I have a "difficult" child who happens to be playing really well in an area and I know he/she will be distrupted if more children enter I hide the necklaces to prevent the disruption.
Once you get the hang of it it can make the day go by so much smother.
Good luck

[Boxcar]

Try not to get discouraged. The first day of any change in the classroom is almost always hard on both teacher and students.

The ideas above are good. Not only are you managing problems with the centers, you are teaching your kids to count the necklaces and to write thier names.

If you are setting out projects at the centers, try a couple variations on a theme. Not all children learn the same way, so some find certain things "boring". If you want the children to learn to write the letter B today, put out crayons and paper, sandpaper letters feel, a B sewing shape, and a tray of shaving cream to trace fingers in. The children can choose the one that is most appealing to them. You will probably want to start with only one or two options, but you get the idea.

[Zookeeper]

I have found the book Literacy Work Stations by Debbie Diller very informative - it is primary but also ideas for pre and K. Take your time introducing each center - model it for the students and have the students model it.

[teach1027]

Centers should be structured with a game or some sort of manipulatives for the students to "do" centers should not be a new concept that you just introduced. They should reinforce what has already been taught (this cuts down on interruptions) I get most of my center ideas from The Mailbox. You can suscribe to the magazine (they will send you a free issue to see if you like it). They also publish a Superbook for each grade level that has everything in it you can buy these books at any teacher supply store. These stores will also have books that just have literacy centers, or Math centers etc. Just ask where these books are located. I am not sure if you have a Lakeshore store in your area, but you can oreder from their website as well. Also you can do a search online for The Flordia Center and acess their database of really good activities, all it will cost you is the ink to print it. I have also gotten great ideas from inservices and workshops that I have attended. Talk to your co-workers and your principal about scheduling some staff-development on it.

[Stacy B]

Learning centers are actually my expertise - I have actually authored several books on the subject.

Remember, it takes a while for the children to get comfortable with centers, but once they do, it is amazing.

The key components for your centers are the following:

Having all of the essential centers available (art, literacy, block, manipulative, math, writing, sensory, dramatic play, science).

Having the room properly arranged using shelves and tables to provide boundaries and break up the space.

Using a center management system (such as name tags and center signs) so the children can freely move throughout the centers in a responsible, appropriate manner.

Have appropriate, purposeful activities for each center. I like using shelves for the centers and having a variety of activities for each center. This gives the children choices within the center.

Rotate the materials in the centers to keep them fresh and interesting.

Hope that helps.

[DMB Academics]

Here are some ideas:


Introduce a center during a group time to model using the items or behavior.
Have a Classroom Tour with the children to introduce the centers, the items, and behavior expectations.
Create a board using pictures and the name of each center, under each center have a library card/book pocket (write the number of children allowed in each center on it). Use popsicle sticks with the children's names. Children have to place their stick in the center they are going to work in and return to the board when they want to move to a new center.
Implement Plan, Do, Review from High-Scope
If you have an aide, you can create 3 groups. One group does an activity with you, one with your aide, and one can work in centers. This way you can open one center, and have the groups switch after a set time. Additional centers can be opened over time. Eventually all centers can be opened and you can still have one group work with you each day.

[DMB Academics]

Here are some ideas:


Introduce a center during a group time to model using the items or behavior.
Have a Classroom Tour with the children to introduce the centers, the items, and behavior expectations.
Create a board using pictures and the name of each center, under each center have a library card/book pocket (write the number of children allowed in each center on it). Use popsicle sticks with the children's names. Children have to place their stick in the center they are going to work in and return to the board when they want to move to a new center.
Implement Plan, Do, Review from High-Scope
If you have an aide, you can create 3 groups. One group does an activity with you, one with your aide, and one can work in centers. This way you can open one center, and have the groups switch after a set time. Additional centers can be opened over time. Eventually all centers can be opened and you can still have one group work with you each day.
A center can be closed due to misbehavior. Make sure the children know why and if it will be closed all day or part of the day.