3.  Cognitive: Problem-solving at ignition centers improves students’ deductive reasoning skills and boosts their ability to organize, analyze, and synthesize new information. Relating objectives to real-world experience helps students retain new information.  Affective: Meaningful connections and greater understanding of information increases student confidence. Creative self-expression in a relaxed, supportive, yet challenging environment increases students’ sense of self-worth and well-being. Independent work develops students’ confidence, self- respect, and responsibility.  Cognitive: Problem-solving at ignition centers improves students’ deductive reasoning skills and boosts their ability to organize, analyze, and synthesize new information. Relating objectives to real-world experience helps students retain new information.  Affective: Meaningful connections and greater understanding of information increases student confidence. Creative self-expression in a relaxed, supportive, yet challenging environment increases students’ sense of self-worth and well-being. Independent work develops students’ confidence, self- respect, and responsibility.

4. Computers are a powerful draw and a valuable classroom tool. Students learn a variety of skills through diverse web-based mini- lessons. Manipulatives and websites make math 3-D and relate it to students’ everyday lives. Students are free to develop their creativity and express themselves through the appreciation, creation and study of various culturally diverse art forms. Students immerse themselves in the world of books in our cozy and comfortable reading corner. Literacy develops as they learn to read, read to learn, and begin to express their thoughts, hopes, and fears on paper. Students explore and discover the wonders of the natural world. Interest leads to investigation and learning with hands-on activities that enhance understanding and encourage learners to continually ask questions and actively search for answers. Science Ecology Center Reading Writing Center Technology Math Center Music Theatre Art Center

5.  Social: The students’ personal relationship with the objectives and information results in more meaningful participation in class work and discussions. Increased success and confidence improves their leadership and interpersonal skills. Collaborative work promotes cooperation and conflict resolution.  Physical: Participating in the hands-on activities, experiments, and theatre production, and simply traveling to and from learning centers allows students to release pent up energy and sharpens their gross and fine motor skills. The self- expression that takes place in the writing center enhances students’ emotional well being, which is physically beneficial to their health.

10. Leave-at- school work, recycling <<center Backpacks/ Lunches Library Reading Writing Idea box ! Science Ecology Tech. Math Music Theatre Art

13.  The students will play a role in creating the classroom aesthetics and will therefore feel a sense of pride in the classroom environment. This collaboration between the teacher and students will contribute a sense of community and mutual respect. The teacher will regularly check the “idea box” for students’ suggestions on how to improve the classroom.  The student’s artwork and projects, including plants and pictures of the natural world and its culturally diverse inhabitants, will fill the classroom.  Most importantly, the students will not be solely dependant upon prompts or the teacher to light their educational fire, but will follow their interests down an educational path that best suits their learning styles, pace, and abilities in order to become life-long learners.

14.  http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/sem/semart10.htm http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/sem/semart10.htm  http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sahouck/portfolio/lear ning_centers.html http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sahouck/portfolio/lear ning_centers.html  Faye Carlson-Mackenzie