During the first 6-8 weeks of
school, I introduce each of the literacy centers in the chart below and
explain all the rules that are associated with them. A lot of time
is spent at the beginning of the year making sure that appropriate behavior
and proper care of the materials will be used in a literacy center.
Reading, writing, listening and speaking are practiced at the centers.
The use of the word wall may be used during this time. When
I start my guided reading groups, I have to depend on the students for
their cooperation and appropriate behavior.
Writing
Students can choose from
a variety of writing materials to practice writing letters, names or words.
They may also work on writing workshop stories, theme related stories and
other writing activities.
Flannel
Board
Students use flannel
board pieces to retell stories, make up stories or manipulate letters to
make names, words, or stories.
Chalkboards
Students use the chalkboards
to practice writing letters, names & words.
Big
Books
Students choose big books
stories to reread.
Poetry
Students choose poetry
charts to reread.
Library
Students choose books
from the classroom library to read or may return their school library books
to the media center during this time.
Book
Boxes
Students may choose a
book box filled with books at their own reading level to read.
Partner
Reading
Students may choose a
book box filled with books at their own reading level to read with a partner.
Reading
the Room
Students may choose a
pointer and read the walls of the classroom. They may read the calendar,
poems, labels, word wall, alphabet, pocket charts and any other print that
may be in the classroom.
Theme
Library
As each new theme
or new season comes, I will have a bookshelf in the room that is full of
related books. Students are able to choose some of their favorite
stories to read at this center.
Computer
We have two computers
in the classroom. One is networked to the school (PC) and the other
is a stand alone (MAC) that I have added to the classroom. They are
open to the students most of the day. Students may use them during
our Developmental Centers, Math Centers/Tubs and Literacy Centers.
During Developmental Centers a variety of software titles are available
for the students to use. During Math Centers/Tubs students are to
choose math related software and during Literacy Centers students are to
choose language arts related software.
Writing
the Room
Students will use paper
on a clipboard and copy the print within the classroom environment.
Dry Erase
Boards
Students use dry
erase board to practice writing letters, names & words.
Magazines
Students may choose Your
Big Backyard, Ranger Rick, and other magazines to look through
and read.
Book
Making
Students may create their
own books using pre made books or books that they make themselves.
Listening
Students choose
books and matching tapes to listen to stories read to them. Somtimes
students listen to directions given on a tape to complete a worksheet after
listening to a story.
Electronic
Games
Students work on skills
with electronic games like Leap Frog Phonics, Twist and Shout
Phonics, and any other game within the classroom.
Songs
Students listen and sing
to songs on tape players.
Overhead
Students use clear lettered
tiles, water based pens, and other materials to practice stories, letters,
names and words on the overhead projector.
Language
Arts & ABC Games
Students use teacher-made
or commercially produced language arts manipulatives to practice letter
recognition, phonics and word recognition.
Pocket
Chart
Students may manipulate
letter cards, words cards and sentence strips to practice language arts
skills.
Puppets
Students use puppets
to tell and retell stories.
