1. Literacy Centers
Literacy Centers are stations or areas in the classroom where literacy activities are set up for use
By Michelle S. Gates

2. Within my classroom, I plan to have seven literacy centers
Mad for Music
Books & Baskets
Wild and Wacky Science
Fun Numbers
Yesteryears!
Letters from You!
Look, Think, Write

3. Centers will take place daily during small group time

4. Centers will be arranged around the perimeter of the room but in view of the small groups table

6. Each center will have a unique sign
Wild & Wacky Science
Books & Baskets
Mad for Music

7. “Rules for Fun Centers” will be posted in the classroom
Rules for all “Fun Centers”
Place contract in left side of center folder
Take turns
Work quietly
Stay in your center
If you do not understand something, ask 3 classmates before asking the teacher
Carefully complete all assigned projects
Fill out your contract
Clean up the center
Return folder in holder

8. Student’s names will rotate on a pocket chart on the wall
Books & Baskets
Pictures on the chart will
match center signs
Children will be grouped
according to levels

9. Each student will have a “Center Folder” kept in a central location
Tasha’s
Center
Folder

10. Louis Armstrong lesson designed for “Mad for Music” Literacy Center

11. Objectives of “Louis Armstrong” Mad for Music Literacy Centers
The student will study & observe a topic they are unfamiliar with and apply new knowledge through responding & writing
The student will read fiction and nonfiction with fluency and accuracy
Use context to clarify meanings of unfamiliar words
Use context to identify semantics and syntax

12. The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fiction & non-fiction
Identify major events and supporting details
Make simple inferences, using information from texts
Draw conclusions, using information from texts
Identify new information gained from reading
The student will write effective explanations
Focus on one aspect of a topic
Develop a plan for writing
Organize writing to convey a central idea
The student will practice spelling through identifying proper order of alphabet in words

13. Each center will have individual rules
Mad for Music
Center Rules
Place contract in left side of center folder
Take turns reading pages in the book(s)
Plug in headsets before watching or listening to videos or music
Carefully complete all assigned projects
Fill out your contract
Clean up the center

14. Each center will have a contract
Notes
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Student ____________________ Grade ____

15. Each center will have a “things to do” list
In order
Read the book “Who Was Louis Armstrong?”
Open the Louis Armstrong folder on desktop and watch “When the Saints Come Marching In” video…you may dance or march “nicely” in your center
Complete Reading and Responding packet
Complete “Louis Armstrong semantics” worksheet
Watch and listen to “What a Wonderful World” video on desktop and check answers to semantics worksheet
Complete “Louis Armstrong” word search
Student ________________________________

16. Read the book “Who Was Louis Armstrong”
Louis Armstrong is one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, and this book tells his amazing story. Armstrong grew up in a tough section of New Orleans. At a young age, he got into trouble and was sent to a boy’s home. There, he discovered his love for music. From then on, Louis worked to make a name for himself as both a musician and a songwriter. With his talent and music, he was able to break down color barriers and bring joy to millions. John O’Brien’s illustrations give the reader visuals to accompany the story. The book also includes interesting facts that help explain some of the topics that the narrator discusses, such as details on the history of jazz, the Great Migration, and some basic jazz terminology.

17. Open the Louis Armstrong folder on desktop and watch “When the Saints Come Marching In” video
Louis Armstrong
Children are instructed that they may march or dance nicely in their center area

18. Complete Reading and Responding packet
The Reading and Responding packet includes:
A short article with comprehension questions
Choosing the main purpose
Vocabulary
Written response to a prompt
Example
“Armstrong played jazz on the trumpet and sang in his unique gruff voice.” The definition of unique is
A. unpleasant B. soft C. boring D. unusual

19. Complete Louis Armstrong
semantics worksheet

20. Open the Louis Armstrong folder on desktop and watch
“What a Wonderful World” video on desktop and check your answers on the semantics worksheet
Louis Armstrong

21. Complete the “Louis Armstrong” word search
“Louis Armstrong” Name __________________________
I  D  O  D  N  A  B  P  S  W  Z  A  R  C
C  J  Y  E  R  S  O  L  A  T  B  G  E  H
S  A  A  I  I  V  B  Y  M  E  N  G  C  I
T  Z  M  U  E  T  N  T  B  P  E  N  O  C
N  Z  O  R  G  N  A  I  A  M  W  O  R  A
E  L  T  S  R  E  I  R  S  U  S  R  D  G
M  Y  R  K  U  W  C  B  S  R  P  T  I  O
U  L  D  E  F  O  I  E  A  T  A  S  N  P
R  A  N  E  F  R  S  L  D  W  P  M  G  N
T  O  A  H  B  L  U  E  O  F  E  R  S  S
S  C  B  C  I  E  M  C  R  F  R  A  I  X
N  H  J  G  R  A  M  M  Y  U  S  V  I  D
I  G  R  E  G  N  I  S  C  O  R  N  E  T
S  W  I  N  G  S  O  M  H  C  T  A  S  Q
Coal
New Orleans
Ambassador
Cornet
Newspapers
Armstrong
Grammy
Poverty
Band
Gruff
Recordings
instrument
Satchmo
Celebrity
Jazz
Singer
Cheeks
Louis
Swing
Chicago
Musician
Trumpet

22. A
Assessment
Students will self-assess by circling blocks on rubric and making notes on back of rubric if desired
The teacher will collect contracts, lists and work from folders and place in a student collection folder. Teacher will return with input in notes area and a grade reflective of rubric guidelines and self assessment within three days
One weekly grade will be given based on an average of the weeks literacy center grades

23. Reflection
After completing my presentation, I reflected and realized I needed to add more information about assessment. I decided to include student self-assessment because I feel that if they have some input on their grading, they will be more diligent in their work. I also added a time frame of when work would be returned. I feel it is important to quickly return work to students with input so that they are aware of their strengths and weaknesses
I wanted to add an activity that made music but could not find a free website. I could not include actual musical instruments in the center because of noisiness and/or sanitary issues
I feel that students will enjoy & learn from the centers which I will change if I feel it is necessary