Third and fourth graders are pretty used to centers now, but it's still important to discuss what our expectations are during this time. We review our library expectations, which have been hanging up for a week now, and create an anchor chart: Library centers - What are students doing? What is the librarian doing? What should it look, sound, and feel like for someone walking into the library?
We also discuss the most important task for students during our centers time: finding books. Last year I had been finding that students were rushing to get to centers and were either not checking out books, choosing random books without thoughtful decisions, or coming up to me during clean-up time saying, "Wait, I haven't checked out a book!" I'm hoping to prevent that this year using what I'm hoping is an absolutely amazing tip from a blog (one of those like, "Why didn't I think of that?!?"): Students will reserve a spot at a center table using their library folders. It will considerably slow down the transition into centers, but I don't think that will be a huge issue; in fact, it might be helpful to control what can sometimes be chaotic. When I get to their folder, students will set the folder on the rungs under a chair to save that spot. Then they can check out books without fear of getting a less-than-ideal center spot!
Our Centers
Chromebook Center
At one 6-person center, I set out 6 Chromebooks, 6 headphones and 6 mice to give them some trackpad, mouse, and typing practice, depending on the grade level. For this first week, students were required to play the library game Shelver to practice mouse skills and library skills.
iPad Center
Another favorite! I have six iPads and six headphones at this center, and the app varies depending on what we're learning that month. To start, we got back into coding with CargoBot!
Building Centers
These are two matching 4-person centers. We rotate through different building or STEM materials, like KEVA Planks, Strawbees, K'nex, even Osmos and Ozobots (although the Ozobots might not come out again - last time those came out, I lost two!). The start of the year is always a good KEVA Planks time!
Writing Center
This one varies a lot, and can be anything from coloring to a "Meet the Author" center (from the adorable Library Mouse) to Make Your Own Graphic Novel. This week, it's a chance to finish decorating their library folders for those who didn't finish a couple weeks ago. Six seats at this center, too!
Reading Center
I love the opportunity to pull out library books that get less attention than I feel they should! The arts-and-crafts books are popular here (how to draw books, origami books), as well as I Spy books and our giant books. I also do some seasonal things here, like Poetry books in April, Caldecott contenders in January (as well as a ballot for the older kids to join in our Kindergarten Mock Caldecott), and today, a slightly belated Banned Books Week display!
Students not interested in any of the above centers can put their folders back in the bin and read their library books around the room. Here's hoping that it all goes well!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment