All About Centers! (A freebie guide!)

Hey all and thanks so much for joining me today!  I’m sure you’re wondering what we are doing discussing centers in the spring… but if you’re like me I like to plan ahead!  Are you thinking towards the new year?  Are you ready for a fresh start to your center block?  Alright, let’s more forward… today we are going to be discussing literacy centers!  I get a lot of questions how I run things in my room so I have covered that for you today!  Please know that this is just what’s worked for me… if you love it, get it a shot!  If you want to throw tomatoes then fire away 😉  All of the information shared on the video and on the slides below can be downloaded for FREE here!

If you’d like you can click play in the video and then follow along with these slides or on the actual packet from TPT!  The visual quality is a little poor on the actual video!  However, if you love to hear me ramble you’ll want to listen in below 🙂

Why do I feel the importance of INDEPENDENT work?

The five centers of my day!

The up and down pacing of my literacy center block!

Sample week of students!

A checklist to make sure all students are going to each center during the week!

Below is a sample of one day’s rotation board!  However, I have added a week’s work of samples for you to view and editable rotation boards that you can download for free HERE!  The student reading levels are only shown for a quick visual of the reading group and would not be shown on the finished boards 😉

I love using my interactive board for center dismissal!  The students can quickly see where they are going and get there quick!  Once you set up the files for the first time you only need to pull the file up and click!  No switching cards everyday, etc!

A look at one student’s journey through the literacy center week!

A look at ideas for your word work center!

Ideas for your technology center!

Ideas to go “beyond” book tubs for independent read.

Hands-on explore ideas!

A closer look at the first four weeks of the literacy center block!

Ideas for setting up your writing folders/center

Ideas for setting up your word work baskets!

Independent read options for the kiddos!

Ideas to organize your technology center!

Explore tub organization!

A little about about holding kids accountable during literacy centers!

Taking time daily to discuss positives and possible something to work on the next day!

Transitioning back to the carpet after each round!

Ideas on how often to switch out your centers!

A couple ideas on how to introduce the new games to your students!

The importance of brain breaks during independent work time!

A couple ideas on how to organize your centers!

I get a lot of questions from teachers that have purchased several of my packet… and they aren’t quite sure how to mesh them all together!  Below I explain and show a year long pacing of literacy centers, writing center, and explore tub ideas!  I only show one slide below, but once downloading the packet you’ll be able to view all the weeks!

Below is a look at the packets I utilize throughout the year for literacy centers and writing center!

I hope you were able to pick up some information and activity ideas for your literacy center block!  Remember that you can download the entire packet along with the free rotation board by click below!  If you are struggling with a part of your literacy block of have questions about mine feel free to email me littlemindsatworkllc@gmail.com

Thanks!  Tara