centers

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centers
By Julianne

I agree. I rarely leave centers out permanently. I store the materials appropriately, then get out what we need for the week and put it on the countertop next to the areas where it will be used. When center time rolls around
we can use our tables as centers. Students learn to help get out materials and put them away. Anything that must stay out for several days (plants, displays) can be accomodated on our one center-dedicated table. We also use the floor area for some center activities. Students can use building sets and other manipulatives on the floor. They can do jigsaw puzzles (a favorite center

activity in our first grade) on the floor.

Our listening center is on our countertop. We pull chairs up to the counter at center time.

A couple of management tools that help us - each table has chairs of a particular color. We can then tell students to work at the "red" table or the "green" table. Numbers on your work areas would be effective also. ("Go to center 5.")
Another tool is yarn necklaces. I have centers each child must rotate through, but I also have a couple of optional centers they may choose if they finish. At these centers I have a set of yarn necklaces. If all the necklaces are being worn, the center is full and a child must choose somewhere else. Once a child is at one of the choice centers he must stay there until the timer sounds. This keeps me from having to regulate who goes where.

Oh, yeah - you will probably want a timer...I can never remember to look up at the clock.