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Research Based Stations from FCRR
http://www.fcrr.org/curriculum/SCAindex.shtm
added Nov. 2011
Introduction:
The following are descriptions of my individual centers/workstations. There are also photos and descriptions of individual activities that can be done at each center.
In order for these centers to work and be efficient, I have 10 centers per week. Students go to 2 centers per day. Additionally, my main centers are open-ended centers. This means that the task can be repeated again and again if time allows. In other words, I do not have students complete a center worksheet because then students can often be found off-task. This also means that these centers are pretty standard and do not need explaining every week. The material and tasks may change slightly, but the process of completing the centers stays the same. After the first few weeks, students should know what to do at each center and how to clean up each center.
I complete my guided reading groups while my students are at their centers. This only works because 1) my students are placed in groups of 2 per center, and 2) I call my centers "Whisper Centers". Students must whisper quietly while working at the centers so that I can read with my reading groups. Additionally, I use a table lamp at my reading group table. When I am not to be bothered, I simply turn my lamp on. My students know that this is a signal that they should not come up to me and ask questions.
Modeling heavily at the beginning of the year your expectations of students plays a huge role in the success of your centers for the rest of the year. In order for students to be independent and successful, you must model the following:
1) How students should ask for help if needed (Ask 3 before me, or ask the TA)
2) How students should clean up and move to the next center
3) What students can do when they finish a center early
4) Consequences for not finishing center work (if students are found off-task repeatedly, they loose their center privileges, i.e. art, creation station, game, construction, etc.)
The following are descriptions of my individual centers/workstations. There are also photos and descriptions of individual activities that can be done at each center.
In order for these centers to work and be efficient, I have 10 centers per week. Students go to 2 centers per day. Additionally, my main centers are open-ended centers. This means that the task can be repeated again and again if time allows. In other words, I do not have students complete a center worksheet because then students can often be found off-task. This also means that these centers are pretty standard and do not need explaining every week. The material and tasks may change slightly, but the process of completing the centers stays the same. After the first few weeks, students should know what to do at each center and how to clean up each center.
I complete my guided reading groups while my students are at their centers. This only works because 1) my students are placed in groups of 2 per center, and 2) I call my centers "Whisper Centers". Students must whisper quietly while working at the centers so that I can read with my reading groups. Additionally, I use a table lamp at my reading group table. When I am not to be bothered, I simply turn my lamp on. My students know that this is a signal that they should not come up to me and ask questions.
Modeling heavily at the beginning of the year your expectations of students plays a huge role in the success of your centers for the rest of the year. In order for students to be independent and successful, you must model the following:
1) How students should ask for help if needed (Ask 3 before me, or ask the TA)
2) How students should clean up and move to the next center
3) What students can do when they finish a center early
4) Consequences for not finishing center work (if students are found off-task repeatedly, they loose their center privileges, i.e. art, creation station, game, construction, etc.)
The following centers are rotated, but are not included every week.
ABC - Alphabetical Order
For the ABC center, students will practice putting items in alphabetical order. Each week there will either be various objects with labels or pictures with labels that tie into what we are learning about that week. The items would be small enough to fit in a bag/bin/container and the pictures would be glued to an index card and kept in an index card holder. Students will pick 10 of the items/pictures and write the items down on a shopping list. Then, another shopping list, students will arrange the items/pictures in ABC order and write them down in ABC order.
For the ABC center, students will practice putting items in alphabetical order. Each week there will either be various objects with labels or pictures with labels that tie into what we are learning about that week. The items would be small enough to fit in a bag/bin/container and the pictures would be glued to an index card and kept in an index card holder. Students will pick 10 of the items/pictures and write the items down on a shopping list. Then, another shopping list, students will arrange the items/pictures in ABC order and write them down in ABC order.
Art
In the "Art" center, I usually have a task card and sample for students to go by. Sometimes creations in the Art center pertain to math, social studies, writing, etc. For instance, if we are studying shapes in math, I might have students create a picture using 5 different shapes and have them label those shapes.
In the "Art" center, I usually have a task card and sample for students to go by. Sometimes creations in the Art center pertain to math, social studies, writing, etc. For instance, if we are studying shapes in math, I might have students create a picture using 5 different shapes and have them label those shapes.
Computer
For the "Computer" center, I allow 2-3 students on the computer at a time. Depending on what we are learning about that week, I might have special websites for students saved on my "Fun Websites" link on the main page. For instance, I have several websites that students can play games to help them learn about money, as well as starfish. Also, if it is a special holiday, I might allow them to go to sites that pertain to that holiday. If I cannot find a good learning website that connects to our topic that week, I will allow my students to play on a reading or math website (my favorites are www.starfall.com and www.rainforestmaths.com), or I will allow them to create a story (or label pictures) using Kidpix.
For the "Computer" center, I allow 2-3 students on the computer at a time. Depending on what we are learning about that week, I might have special websites for students saved on my "Fun Websites" link on the main page. For instance, I have several websites that students can play games to help them learn about money, as well as starfish. Also, if it is a special holiday, I might allow them to go to sites that pertain to that holiday. If I cannot find a good learning website that connects to our topic that week, I will allow my students to play on a reading or math website (my favorites are www.starfall.com and www.rainforestmaths.com), or I will allow them to create a story (or label pictures) using Kidpix.
Listening
I have several books on tape or CD that I use for my "Listening" center. Students will work with a partner to listen to a story that ties in with what we are learning that week. In this center, I like to give students either special chairs or comfy pillows to listen on.
I have several books on tape or CD that I use for my "Listening" center. Students will work with a partner to listen to a story that ties in with what we are learning that week. In this center, I like to give students either special chairs or comfy pillows to listen on.
Spelling
In the "Spelling" center, students have the opportunity to choose a task card from a baggie and complete that task card in their Word Study Journal. I found the following task cards online and scanned them. You can click on the links below to print them (COMING SOON!). Sometimes I will switch up the Word Study center and have students do a specific task that is not on one of the task cards. For instance, I might have students spell their word study words using shaving cream on the table, or have them spell their words using clay, Play-Doh, letter tiles, or magnetic letters.
In the "Spelling" center, students have the opportunity to choose a task card from a baggie and complete that task card in their Word Study Journal. I found the following task cards online and scanned them. You can click on the links below to print them (COMING SOON!). Sometimes I will switch up the Word Study center and have students do a specific task that is not on one of the task cards. For instance, I might have students spell their word study words using shaving cream on the table, or have them spell their words using clay, Play-Doh, letter tiles, or magnetic letters.
Stamps
In the "Stamp" center, students can do a variety of activities. Students may stamp their Word Wall Words or Word Family words. Students can stamp a story using the letter stamps. Students can write a story just like in the "Sticker Stories" center, but use different designed stamps instead of stickers for some of their words.
In the "Stamp" center, students can do a variety of activities. Students may stamp their Word Wall Words or Word Family words. Students can stamp a story using the letter stamps. Students can write a story just like in the "Sticker Stories" center, but use different designed stamps instead of stickers for some of their words.
Whiteboards
In the "Whiteboards" center, students can either do a math or literacy activity. Students can write their Word Wall Words or Word Family words. Students can practice writing detailed sentences and stories. Students can practice their letters or numbers. Students can use number cubes to create addition and subtraction number sentences.
In the "Whiteboards" center, students can either do a math or literacy activity. Students can write their Word Wall Words or Word Family words. Students can practice writing detailed sentences and stories. Students can practice their letters or numbers. Students can use number cubes to create addition and subtraction number sentences.
Word Study
In the "Word Study" center, students will do different activities using the Word Family for that week. Students may play a word family game, fill out a word family lotus (words that have -ill and then draw a picture to go along with it), or sort their word families.
In the "Word Study" center, students will do different activities using the Word Family for that week. Students may play a word family game, fill out a word family lotus (words that have -ill and then draw a picture to go along with it), or sort their word families.
Write the Room
In the "Write the Room" center, students can use a ton of different tools. Students can use magnadoodles to write words they find in the room. Students can use Word Swatters (like a fly swatter with a hole in the center so they can see the word they swatted), giant clown sunglasses, hand pointers, and a Word Net (bug catcher net that they can use to catch words).
In the "Write the Room" center, students can use a ton of different tools. Students can use magnadoodles to write words they find in the room. Students can use Word Swatters (like a fly swatter with a hole in the center so they can see the word they swatted), giant clown sunglasses, hand pointers, and a Word Net (bug catcher net that they can use to catch words).
Chalk
In the "Chalk" center, students are able to use their own individual chalk boards and chalk that they can put inside colorful chalk holders. At this center, students will most likely have one partner with whom they spell with. The center comes with a index card holder that contains a multitude of frequently used words (Word Wall Words) including classmates' names. One student will pick a card from the box and read it to the other student without letting him/her see. The other student will then try to spell that word on his/her chalkboard. When the student is finished spelling the other student will show him/her the card so that he/she can check to see if they spelled the word correctly. If the student spells the word incorrectly, he/she must correct the spelling, but if the student spells the word correctly, he/she picks a card from the box for the other student to spell.
PHOTOS COMING SOON!
In the "Chalk" center, students are able to use their own individual chalk boards and chalk that they can put inside colorful chalk holders. At this center, students will most likely have one partner with whom they spell with. The center comes with a index card holder that contains a multitude of frequently used words (Word Wall Words) including classmates' names. One student will pick a card from the box and read it to the other student without letting him/her see. The other student will then try to spell that word on his/her chalkboard. When the student is finished spelling the other student will show him/her the card so that he/she can check to see if they spelled the word correctly. If the student spells the word incorrectly, he/she must correct the spelling, but if the student spells the word correctly, he/she picks a card from the box for the other student to spell.
PHOTOS COMING SOON!
Video
For the video center, I bought 2 sets of storybook DVDs made by Scholastic (Jumbo Box of Storybook Classics 1 & 2). You can also purchase individual titles that do not come in these sets from www.scholastic.com . There are 5 DVDs in each set, but there are 3-6 stories on each DVD, so it is worth the money. These have many great titles that go along with weekly themes that you are already teaching and many of the titles are ones that might already be in your classroom library. Another good feature about these videos are that they have an option called "Read Along" which allows your students to read along in their book as they listen to and watch the video.
For the video center, I bought 2 sets of storybook DVDs made by Scholastic (Jumbo Box of Storybook Classics 1 & 2). You can also purchase individual titles that do not come in these sets from www.scholastic.com . There are 5 DVDs in each set, but there are 3-6 stories on each DVD, so it is worth the money. These have many great titles that go along with weekly themes that you are already teaching and many of the titles are ones that might already be in your classroom library. Another good feature about these videos are that they have an option called "Read Along" which allows your students to read along in their book as they listen to and watch the video.
Science Inquiry
In the "Science Inquiry" center, students can complete small hands-on investigations that are extensions of what we are learning about in science. Normally I would have this center only if I had a parent volunteer or teacher's assistant to help the students with reading directions or setting up supplies.
Creation Station
In the "Creation Station", students may create a variety of different projects. For instance, if we are studying insects, students might create their very own insect using various household and craft items. Students love to use their imaginations in new ways!
In the "Creation Station", students may create a variety of different projects. For instance, if we are studying insects, students might create their very own insect using various household and craft items. Students love to use their imaginations in new ways!
Letter Writing
In the "Letter Writing" center, students may use decorative stationary paper to write letters to their family and friends. They also work on learning a "Letter Format" and how to address an envelope. The students place square-shaped stickers on the envelope as stamps.
In the "Letter Writing" center, students may use decorative stationary paper to write letters to their family and friends. They also work on learning a "Letter Format" and how to address an envelope. The students place square-shaped stickers on the envelope as stamps.
Sticker Stories
In the "Sticker Stories" center, students can get very creative by writing short stories using stickers for some of their words. The students love making these!
In the "Sticker Stories" center, students can get very creative by writing short stories using stickers for some of their words. The students love making these!
Puzzles & Games
In the "Puzzles & Games" center, students are allowed to play a board game or complete a puzzle of their choice.
In the "Puzzles & Games" center, students are allowed to play a board game or complete a puzzle of their choice.
Phonics
In the Phonics center, students do many activities. I usually like to start off with them using a Quality Tool like a Lotus. In the center of the lotus, I write a beginning sound that they should be learning or already know. For instance, I would put "gl-" in the center of the lotus. The student would then have the option of thinking of words on his/her own that begin with that sound, or using a dictionary to look up words that begin with that sound. The student would write the word in one of the squares and then illustrate it. If possible, students can also write a sentence using their word. For example: "gl-" the student would write the word "glue" and then draw a picture of a glue stick. If possible, the student would write a sentence like this: "I use glue to make things."
In the Phonics center, students do many activities. I usually like to start off with them using a Quality Tool like a Lotus. In the center of the lotus, I write a beginning sound that they should be learning or already know. For instance, I would put "gl-" in the center of the lotus. The student would then have the option of thinking of words on his/her own that begin with that sound, or using a dictionary to look up words that begin with that sound. The student would write the word in one of the squares and then illustrate it. If possible, students can also write a sentence using their word. For example: "gl-" the student would write the word "glue" and then draw a picture of a glue stick. If possible, the student would write a sentence like this: "I use glue to make things."
Making Words
In the "Making Words" center, students work with a pocket chart that holds 6-8 letters that can be used to make a variety of different words. Students move and arrange the paper letters to make new words. When they make a new word they can practice spelling that word on a wipeboard or write a sentence using that word.
In the "Making Words" center, students work with a pocket chart that holds 6-8 letters that can be used to make a variety of different words. Students move and arrange the paper letters to make new words. When they make a new word they can practice spelling that word on a wipeboard or write a sentence using that word.
Math
In the math center, students do a variety of different activities, games, and tasks. Look at the pictures below (COMING SOON!) to see some of the things that can be done in the math center.
In the math center, students do a variety of different activities, games, and tasks. Look at the pictures below (COMING SOON!) to see some of the things that can be done in the math center.
Library
For my library center, I allow two to three students to read in our special reading area. During this time, students may read books of their choice (instead of reading their Just-Right Books, which are usually read during Reader's Workshop or if they finish their work). They can choose to read near our class library on the dragon fairy carpet, or they may choose to read in our class tent that is see-through on several sides. This way I can see if they are on task.
PHOTOS COMING SOON!
For my library center, I allow two to three students to read in our special reading area. During this time, students may read books of their choice (instead of reading their Just-Right Books, which are usually read during Reader's Workshop or if they finish their work). They can choose to read near our class library on the dragon fairy carpet, or they may choose to read in our class tent that is see-through on several sides. This way I can see if they are on task.
PHOTOS COMING SOON!
Construction
The "Construction" center is for students to practice their fine motor skills. Students are allowed to build and create whatever they wish with Legos, Lincoln Logs, and other building materials. Students also have an opportunity to share with their center partner and practice their oral communication skills.
The "Construction" center is for students to practice their fine motor skills. Students are allowed to build and create whatever they wish with Legos, Lincoln Logs, and other building materials. Students also have an opportunity to share with their center partner and practice their oral communication skills.
I Can & Tic Tac Toes
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General Documents
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Sheets to Print
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Center Signs
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Social Studies Stations Part 1
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Social Studies Stations Part 2
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environment_book_list.doc | |
File Size: | 30 kb |
File Type: | doc |