During the first 6-8 weeks of school, I introduce each of the literacy centers in the chart below and explain all the rules that are associated with them. A lot of time is spent at the beginning of the year making sure that appropriate behavior and proper care of the materials will be used in a literacy center.
Writing
Students can choose from a variety of writing materials to practice writing letters, names or words. They may also work on writing workshop stories, theme related stories and other writing activities.
Flannel Board
Students use flannel board pieces to retell stories, make up stories or manipulate letters to make names, words, or stories.
Chalkboards
Students use the chalkboards to practice writing letters, names & words.
Big Books
Students choose big books stories to reread.
Poetry
Students choose poetry charts to reread.
Library
Students choose books from the classroom library to read or may return their school library books to the media center during this time.
Book Boxes
Students may choose a book box filled with books at their own reading level to read.
Partner
Students may choose a book box filled with books at their own reading level to read with a partner.
Reading the Room
Students may choose a pointer and read the walls of the classroom. They may read the calendar, poems, labels, word wall, alphabet, pocket charts and any other print that may be in the classroom.
Theme Library
As each new theme or new season comes; I will have a bookshelf in the room that is full of related books. Students are able to choose some of their favorite stories to read at this center.
Computer
We have two computers in the classroom. One is networked to the school (PC) and the other is a stand alone (MAC) that I have added to the classroom. They are open to the students most of the day. Students may use them during our
Writing the Room
Students will use paper on a clipboard and copy the print within the classroom environment.
Dry Erase Boards
Students use dry erase board to practice writing letters, names & words.
Magazines
Students may choose Your Big Backyard, Ranger Rick, and other magazines to look through and read.
Book Making
Students may create their own books using pre made books or books that they make themselves.
Listening
Students choose books and matching tapes to listen to stories read to them. Sometimes students listen to directions given on a tape to complete a worksheet after listening to a story.
Electronic Games
Students work on skills with electronic games like Leap Frog Phonics, Twist and Shout Phonics, and any other game within the classroom.
Songs
Students listen and sing to songs on tape players.
Overhead
Students use clear lettered tiles, water based pens, and other materials to practice stories, letters, names and words on the overhead projector.
Language Arts & ABC Games
Students use teacher-made or commercially produced language arts manipulatives to practice letter recognition, phonics and word recognition.
Pocket Chart
Students may manipulate letter cards, words cards and sentence strips to practice language arts skills.
Puppets
Students use puppets to tell and retell stories.
