Students working in Literacy Centers or Stations
allows the teacher to work with small guided reading groups. In their book Guided Reading,
Fountas and Pinnell recommend spending the first 6 weeks of first grade
establishing routines for independent learning before pulling groups for guided reading.
Students need clear, explicit expectations for each of the centers.
Centers or stations allow students to:
**work individually, with a partner, or in small groups
**make choices and help them learn to manage their time
**give students activities to reinforce skills and strategies learned.
Word Work
Letter tiles are available at Walmart.
Metal cookie sheets purchased at The Dollar Store.
Cut sticky magnet strips into small pieces to fit
on the back of each letter of the alphabet. I think
I got about 2 sets per bag and then bought an
extra bag for extra letters.
Arrange the letter tiles on the cookie sheet like the one above.
Turn the cookie sheet over on the copy machine and make as many
copies as you want depending on how many sets you want.
I made 7, so that I could have one to model word work for the students.
Cut off the blank part and glue the alphabet part to the cookie sheet with rubber cement.
Put the magnet tiles back on each letter.
I keep extra tiles in two margarine tubs labeled vowels & consonants.
I used these letter tiles and magnet cookie sheets almost everyday
in my guided reading groups.
It was up to each student to get the letters back on their
original spot, so I could tell at a glance that all letters were there.
There are many different ways to set up centers.
Here are some excellent websites for centers and information.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009