| Learning Centers are a very important part of a Kindergarten classroom. The centers in our classroom provide students with a chance to explore and reinforce content that we have been studying. Centers allow students to work individually or with a partner in at least three different centers per day. Although center work may seem to be playtime, the children are actually learning through hands on activities. Childre learn to explore, to self manage, to work together and to express themselves in many different ways (Lowman 2004). The following are some of the centers in our classroom...along with a brief description. |
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| Learning Centers |
| Children work with play doh, sand, rice, etc to make shapes, cut out letters, form letters or make other creations. These activties reinforce kindergarten concepts and build fine motor skills. |
| In the book corner, children practice early reading skills and develop concepts of print. The children may read our class books, magazines or any book from our classroom library. Children may also "Read the Room" using pointers. The children take the pointers and use them to point to the words around the room. They may read our Big Books, charts, color words, word walls, labels, etc. These activities help to foster emergent reading skills. Students may also work on reading comprehension and listening skills by listening to books on tapes. This area also includes pocket charts and predictable charts. Puzzles are wonderful tools to promote spatial sense, cooperative learning and fine motor skills. Our puzzle center will progess as the year goes on. Some students will cooperatively put together 50 piece puzzles! |
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| Sensory Area |
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| Reading Center |
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| Puzzles and Games |
| We have many CD - roms that reinforce kindergarten skills. We use software like Jump Start Kindergarten, Reader Rabbit, Kidspiration and Kid Pix. We also use the internet to find information or play learning games. |
| Technology Table |
| Children can pretend to play house. Cooking utensils, food, baby dolls and clothes are available in this area. There is also a phone with a phone book, paper for taking messages, menus for ordering out, home magazines, recipe books and cards to make new recipes. The children can also "take pictures" and then draw the picture they took. |
| In the block and car center, spatial development and motor skills are developed. Different types of blocks, small cars, a road rug, Legos and table are available at this center. Students may look at building books to get ideas. Paper and pencils are also made available so students can write about their creation. Boys and girls learn to share and work with their peers. |
| Our writing center is located close to our word wall and consists of different types of paper, envelopes, blank books, shape books, books about writing and many types of writing utensils. Throughout the year children will create books, posters, and many other forms of writing. Students are also able to use a clipboard and write the room. We call this "Clipboard Cruisers". Students may copy their friend's names, color words, the morning message, etc. |
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| Home Living |
| The art center gives children an opportunity to develop their creativity and express themselves. The children will use various art media like stamps, markers, colored pencils and paint. The art center develops small muscles and fine motor skills. |
| The math center provides hands on experience with counting, comparing, patterning, measuring and one to one coppespondence. We use a wide variety of manipulatives like unifix cubes, pattern blocks, scales, clocks, geoboards, calculators and games. |
| Math Center |
| Art Gallery |
| Writing Table |
| Building Center |
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| At the theme table students will explore and engage in activities that relate to our topic. Here, students may observe or perform experiments. |
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| Theme Table |
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