Learning Centers – or
Let Us Play II
Our session last evening was an
interesting one, to say the least. In our Seminar, we learned that there would
be some changes in the manner in which we would have to complete the Program.
Some disruption in class schedule, but doable. Now, that is not the purpose of
this blog, that is as the title implies.
The use of Learning Centers is a
wonderful way in which to engage our students in the learning process. In fact,
using Learning Centers gives them ownership of a piece of their
education. Centers can be set up in many ways. One of the most popular programs
that uses a learning center approach is Read180™. In this program students who
are not at level are divided into groups and move through three stations to
enhance their reading ability. Normally, there is a mini-lesson on a Language
Arts topic for the entire class, perhaps a writing prompt, or something else to
get their juices flowing. Then the move off into their groups, typically:
silent or partner reading, a reading computer program and, a small group for a
read-along with the teacher. I have worked in several Read180™ classes. Our centers were Social Studies based, and included games and small group activities. Gladys presented a citizenship game for Civics where you took several quizzes to see how well you knew about how the government works, with a little history thrown in.
Nada brought in a wonderful game about
the United States. Well suited for fifth grade and above, where hey have
already acquired the knowledge, students would identify the states on an unlabeled map after being given a random
state name by using a spinner. A variation would have the student also name the
capital of the state.
My contribution was related to the History
of a city in the Middle Colonies, specifically, New Amsterdam. There would be
three centers; The first center would be would consist of definitions of the
various types of jobs available in New Amsterdam, such as trapper, trader,
logger, etc. there would also be a brief video history of colony and City.
The second center would be about shelter
and housing in 17th Century New Amsterdam. This would be an activity
center, where the students could look at pictures and read books or articles
about the types of housing members of this Colony might live in. After doing
their research, the students would make sketches or drawings of what they
thought the houses might look like, or use Lincoln Logs™ or Lego™ blocks to
make their own building.
The final center would focus on the
types of leisure activity that was available in New Amsterdam. Two of the more
popular activities for children were trundle hoop (rolling) and ninepins.
Ninepins is a forerunner bowling. Using nine pins set in a diamond pattern.
Hoops and sticks as well as two ninepin sets will be available for the students
to play theses games.
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