Model and Practice

To start off, I would just pick a couple of centers.  A listening center and a book nook are easy ones to begin with.  First, you need to introduce the center in whole group.  Go over procedures for that center.  As a group, decide on rules that would apply in that center (teacher guiding students in a direction to make good and appropriate rules).  Make a chart of rules for that center.  Post the chart for all to see in that particular center.  The teacher should model procedures for that center for a few days.  Then have students role play right/wrong ways to act in that center.  Do this in whole group for a couple of weeks.  Then, as you see students being able to perform the center tasks, allow them to visit that center.  Add one or two more centers at a time--as you feel comfortable! 

I have about 15 centers in my room.  However, all 15 centers are not going in one day, not even in one week.  This way you have a variety to pull from for what works with the skills being taught.  You just want to be sure to model and practice each new center before students begin that center independently. 
Look for ways to create new centers from activities that you do daily.  There is no limit to what you can do with centers!  Just remember to have clear goals and expectations for students in each center.

Management During Centers

I am going to pose two questions here, and then give the answers to those questions.

***Question 1***How will students know when to change from one center to another? That is the next thing you need to decide.
***Answer*** This can be a bell, train whistle, catch phrase, whatever.  Like the centers themselves, these need to be modeled and practiced. This can be a chaotic time if they don't know what is expected!
***Question 2*** What do students do if something happens unexpectedly? (Examples:  they can't hear sound from the headphone,, the computer freezes up, or someone is having trouble reading something).
***Answer*** Students need to know ahead of time how to troubleshoot. Go over ways to fix problems if they arise.  Make up scenarios (during whole group) and have students brainstorm ways to fix the problem--there's that model and practice again! You are not going to think of everything and things still happen from time to time!  If students have tried everything on the troubleshooting list, then they may have no choice but to ask for your assistance.  It will still happen! However, if you have these troubleshooting tips in place, disruptions will be less frequent, and it will make for a smoother transition from center to center!

***BEST ADVICE***
I really can't say this enough...model and practice where centers are concerned!  Two or three weeks of practice before students even begin a center may sound like a lot, but it is going to pay off in the long run.  Less problems, Less disruptions,
LOTS of learning taking place!!

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