Thinking about utilizing learning centers in your classroom but don’t know where to begin? Here are some big ideas on how to get started.

What are centers? Learning centers can be used for independent practice in the direct instructional model.

What do students do in the centers? How many are there? Any content you would like students to practice; reading, writing, math, social studies, science, word work, handwriting. You can have as many centers as you like and can have centers for more than one subject area. If you are just beginning, I would suggest starting with 4-5 rotations so it is not overwhelming for you, or for your students. Students can work at each center for various amounts of time, as they build stamina they will be able to work longer than to begin with. It also depends on how much work there is to be done at each center and how many centers they are expected for rotate through at a given time. My students rotate through one literacy center each day, which lasts about 45 minutes long.

How do I introduce centers? Model, model, model. Practice, practice, practice. Each class is different. Start small and slow. Use the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model to help students gain understanding and independence. “This model promotes the teacher modeling an instructional strategy, the students engaging in practice and peer
collaboration, and then the students transiting to even greater independence” (McKnight, 2016, pg 2). The model follows as; I do, we do, you do. Using this model will set up the expectations for students during centers and eliminate confusion as students begin to learn the system. To find out more about the GRR model I recommend checking out Learning and Literacy Centers, Not Just for the Primary Grades.

How many students are at each center? How do you group them? Depending on how many centers you establish and how many total students you have in your class will determine the following. With 24 students and 6 literacy centers I have 4 students at each center. I think this is a perfect number and feel that anything larger than 4 can become too much. Students can be grouped however you prefer. Students could be grouped heterogeneous or homogeneous. My students are grouped heterogeneously, with behaviors, strengths and areas to grow taken into consideration. Groups could also be fluid depending on what is trying to be accomplished.

What do you do while students work in centers? While students are working independently in their centers the teacher can be doing a variety of things. Pulling small groups to work on specific skills or strategies, working one on one with a student or assessing students. Again, these groups can also be fluid, homogeneous or heterogeneous depending on the goals that are trying to be reached. The amount of students/ groups met with daily depends on the skills that are being worked on and how much time is allotted.

What are the benefits to using learning centers in the classroom? There are many benefits to using centers within the classroom. Students learn how to work independently, practicing previously taught curriculum or skills, students learn to work together, communicate and ask questions among their group mates, students learn to problem solve as well as follow directions, students get to know different students within the class and work along side them. This also gives the teacher the chance to meet and work with students while meeting them where they are. According to the Small Group Instruction: How to Make it Effective, there are four key benefits to small group instruction that include; the ability to personalize instruction, provide immediate feedback, reteach or pre-teach and build confidence. While students are working in their center it gives the teacher the opportunity to see these benefits and help students accomplish their goals.

Interested in how and why centers can be used to differentiate for learners? Check out these rotations are used in a classroom and how they can be used to differentiate for students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg38A1ggYiE&t=198s

Students working on independent reading in their literacy center
Working one-on-one with a student to increase reading accuracy and fluency
Students working in their math center to review graphing


Resources:

Edutopia. (2017). Station Rotation: Differentiating Instruction to Reach All Students.

McKnight, K. (2016). Learning and Literacy Centers, Not Just for Primary Grades.

Van Zant, S., & Volpe, N. (2018, September 27). Small Group Instruction: How to Make it Effective.