Learning Centres P/J Methods EDUC 4454

Learning Centres

Purpose Mainly to allow children to explore & use materials; expand interests & abilities Also allows students to practice & apply skills taught directly by teacher And provides opportunities fro taechers to work 1:1 or with small groups

Learning Centres Centres can be very simple in focus Centres can be permanent temporary, used for a specific purpose for a short period of time portable

Learning Centres Centres can have a single focus or a multidisciplinary focus.

Learning Centres A centre can be organized as a working/ interactive bulletin board.

Learning Centres A centre may be topic based like the Why Compost? centre.

Learning Centres A learning centre is as varied as your imagination & is dependent on the physical space & needs of the program Decide on permanent learning centres Listening centre Reading corner Art centre Writing Centre Science Centre

Learning Centres Any area of the classroom may be adapted to suit the needs of the learners. Ensure that a centre has signs, labels, clear instructions.

Learning Centres A centre such as the Technology & Design Centre can provide a range of activities to accommodate learners’ needs.

Learning Centres Students can plan do test share

Learning Centres You need to supply resources so students can plan. Students need opportunities to test their ideas. They need space and materials for recording results.

Learning Centres All centres should allow for manipualtion of materials Materials must be clearly labelled/well-organized Each container should have pictorial as well as written label to encourage reading Some centres are self-directing; others will require teacher input Materials should change throughout the year to maintain interest; allow children to suggest additions Place centres to allow for good traffic flow

Learning Centres Provide challenges that intrigue students like re-creating London Bridge. Notice the tracking sheet in the background.

Learning Centres Consider what you will observe/what you will record to track each student’s learning.

Learning Centres Collect, sort and prepare the materials and resources needed for each centre.

Learning Centres Students participate in tasks that will help them internalize and consolidate what they learn often with minimal teacher intervention Students learn to take responsibility for their own learning become better decision makers and problem solvers gain confidence and become self motivated as they develop independence.

Learning Centres Integration can occur naturally through learning centres. As the teacher circulates, observations and anecdotal notes are made. As students share their work, there is an opportunity for peer and self assessment.

Keeping Track of Activities at Centres It is critical to keep track at all times of activities taking place at each centre - observe student activity; monitor how students interact in the group or in pairs - interact with students when needed -provide system for collecting work produced at centre – e.g. folder for each student, bin for finished/unfinished work -have a system for recording which student has visited which centre- e.g. each student has individual sheet & puts x beside icon of centre visited; each centre has a class list and student puts x beside centre when there

Making Centres Work Introduce centres gradually at beginning of year Demonstrate proper use of materials as well as different ways of using Establish and review the rules & routines for the centres Discuss effective strategies for independent/group work Show how to move from one centre to another

Making Centres Work Teach the tracking and rotation system Model & discuss new materials & activities daily Model & practice problem-solving strategies Discuss & role-play appropriate centre behaviour; have clear expectations Allow students to share, display & save products (Adapted from M. Trehearne, Kindergarten Teacher’s Resource Book. Nelson Language Arts, 2000.)

1. There are many templates to help you plan and manage learning centres. Refer to Creating the Dynamic Classroom p Blackline masters: In the back of your text, find the CD which contains the blackline masters.

Learning Centres Go to CDC BLM3.doc Look at BLM T-24 - BLM T-35 Go to CDC BLM4.doc Look at BLM T-36 - BLM T-39 Read CT&M – pp ,