I get lots and lots of questions about how centers work in my classroom. I primarily cram them into the morning work segment of my day, but I occasionally make room in class for them too. :) The kiddos start arriving at school around 9:05, and they slowly filter into the room. They always have morning work to do leading up to the announcements at 9:30. {This is when the kiddos chose from the Morning Work Menu.} We have a 25 minutes in between announcements and specials that's devoted to centers. {Yes, we have a totally weird schedule, but my partner and I have made it work for our little departmentalized world.} Any-who! :) The kiddos enjoy working their way through the centers each morning, and they are always asking when I will be done with my next set. They are totally my inspiration for getting them done on time each month! Here's a peek at how my current centers look:
If you're interested in taking a closer look, you can click on the photo to download a pdf version with live links. I included links to each resource including a few FREEBIES. :)
If you want a refresher on how I organize my centers, you can find that HERE! Have a good one!
We agree DeeDee is a superhero and does not sleep! Gotta love her. Cool job w/your centers. Do you change your set of centers monthly? Is this supposed to be an example of what one set looks like? How long do your centers last (minutes)? What do you and your partner do while kiddos are at centers? It sounds like you have lunch count, attendance and a special break? Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteXOXO The Goonie Gals
www.kindergartengoonies.blogspot.com
Hi! This is just an example of what I am doing this week. They did the same Let It Snow pack last week and this week. I change the poetry/writing and fluency centers weekly so that they match the skills we are working on. I also change the reader response sheet in our listening center to correspond with whatever we are working on that week. I do centers bi-weekly. I use my set for two weeks, and then I use sets from other teachers/bloggers. I typically use centers from Amy Lemons for the other two weeks. :) Mornings are really busy, so while I am taking attendance, assisting kids with AR/Study Island, the kiddos work through the centers. I walk around and check in with the kiddos at centers to help facilitate, but I try not to interrupt their thinking too much. (My centers are set up the same... even when the skills change... so they pretty much know the rules/expectations when the new centers are introduced. I like to keep things low-key!) I don't tell them a certain number to go to each day. They rotate through at their own pace. They have to finish all twelve over the course of the two weeks. I know some teachers do rotation charts, but I like to trust my kiddos, and they don't abuse the system. :) Of course, I do have third graders, so they can handle it better than kindlers probably could! I hope this is coherent. :) I have conferences this week, and I am trying to finish getting some things together. If you have more questions, let me know.
DeleteI love seeing other blogger's visual plans. It's like stepping into your classroom for a short moment. How many centers do the students complete per day?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
The REAL Teachers of Orange County
They don't have to rotate through a set number, but I would say they complete (on average 2-3 per day. I let them repeat the reading/computer centers to encourage reading more. Otherwise, they go to every center once.
DeleteThanks for the reply!
DeleteI have some similar questions to Kindergarten Goonies :) I was wondering if students went to all 12 centers each day (or if you have a rotation chart to tell them where to go) and how long this center schedule would last? I love the visual :)
ReplyDeleteBridget
Literacy Without Worksheets
Hi! This is just an example of what I am doing this week. They did the same Let It Snow pack last week and this week. I change the poetry/writing and fluency centers weekly so that they match the skills we are working on. I also change the reader response sheet in our listening center to correspond with whatever we are working on that week. I do centers bi-weekly. I use my set for two weeks, and then I use sets from other teachers/bloggers. I typically use centers from Amy Lemons for the other two weeks. :) Mornings are really busy, so while I am taking attendance, assisting kids with AR/Study Island, the kiddos work through the centers. I walk around and check in with the kiddos at centers to help facilitate, but I try not to interrupt their thinking too much. (My centers are set up the same... even when the skills change... so they pretty much know the rules/expectations when the new centers are introduced. I like to keep things low-key!) I don't tell them a certain number to go to each day. They rotate through at their own pace. They have to finish all twelve over the course of the two weeks. I know some teachers do rotation charts, but I like to trust my kiddos, and they don't abuse the system. :) Of course, I do have third graders, so they can handle it better than kindlers probably could! I hope this is coherent. :) I have conferences this week, and I am trying to finish getting some things together. If you have more questions, let me know.
DeleteThanks for explaining. That makes sense that your expectation is to complete all twelve in the two week period. That's a great way to set things up for 3rd grade :)
DeleteBridget
Literacy Without Worksheets
Totally Amazing. What else is there to say?
ReplyDeleteAmy Howbert
Little Miss Organized
amyhowbert1@gmail.com
Aww, thanks, Amy! :) I'm still learning, for sure, but this is working for me at the moment!
DeleteAmanda, your visual plans and units are always TOP NOTCH! Very appealing to us primary teachers! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Ms. Marciniak's First Grade Critter Cafe
Holy moly, this is amazing!! Nice job and thanks so much for sharing so many great resources :)
ReplyDelete~Stephanie
3rd Grade Thoughts