Saturday, November 10, 2012

Juggling Literacy and Math Centers

This is my second year back in the jungle classroom and I was feeling like my centers needed a sharper edge. I have the ELL cluster and am ELL endorsed which eliminates the justification of being provided any help throughout my day. That's fine, just requires more creativity on my part, but I was really struggling to hold SIX guided reading groups and maintain my sanity. I had wandered into the land of "too many worksheets" and I wasn't feeling good about the enrichment factor. I'm literally all over the internet and when I need an idea I will search relentlessly until I find it. I have my go-to-gals who I adore, such as Deanna Jump and Mrs. Wills, but nothing I was seeing was feeling like just the right fit for my kiddos. Until I found the Virtual Teaching Expo Everything's Kindergarten. Included in the event is a presentation by Krissy Miner from Mrs. Miner's Monkey Business called Lovin' Literacy Centers. 49 minutes later I had found my answer. After 3 weeks of playing Center Sheriff, I have engaged Kinders who are cheering every time I say "It's time for Centers!!" I have 6 groups of 4 and so they each start with a rotation of Basket Work. This is "have-to" work and it must be completed before they can go on to make choices. I'll post more about the Basket Work later, but here's a peek at some of the 26 choices available:
IPods ~ I'm looking for suggestions on some new apps to add
Playdough with a purpose ...
Puppets for dramatic play and socialization skills ...
Beading Letters
Write a Book ~ always a choice
Magnet Letters
Pocket Chart
White Boards ...
Read a Book ~ always a choice
Leap Pad Letters ~ found it for a steal on Ebay :)
BIG Books
Stencil Stories
Puzzles & Games In the beginning, while I was being the Center Sheriff ;) I gave my kiddos 2 choices each. Now, 4 weeks later, we are up to 4 choices per table with the additional choices of Write a Book and Read a Book. I'll give you even more details later but did I mention that they CHEER when I say "It's time for Centers!!" Thank you Krissy Miner!!

16 comments:

  1. Wow! Thanks for the shout out and I can't tell you how happy I am that the way I do centers works for you, too! I will never go back to any other way. My kids cheer when it is center time as well! I have now started doing centers in math as well--it makes planning so easy and my students are advancing quicker than ever! Thanks again...and thanks for having me on your blog roll, too! I'm speechless! :)
    Krissy
    Mrs.Miner’s Monkey Business

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  2. I am your newest follower. I found you through Mrs. Miner's Monkey Business. She is awesome and I read her blog all the time. I am a new blogger too and this is just my second year back in Kindergarten...so we have a lot in common. Come on over and check me out.

    Terri Izatt
    KinderKapers

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    1. I will Terri. Thank you! And thanks for all the kind comments.

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    2. I will Terri. Thank you! And thanks for all the kind comments.

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  3. Some nice things that I think I may try to add to my Pre-K class. My poor independent group I just do not know what to do with them. There is only so many times I can have them do puzzles, pattern blocks, and legos. Please share any other small group activities you find or think of.

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    1. I definitely will be adding more and more. I have a post coming up soon with several year-long centers that might help!

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  4. Hey, I think your centers look great. Can't wait to hear more and thanks for adding me to your blog roll. I too am a Krissy Miner, Deanna Jump and DeeDee Wills fan. They're my go to girls as well.
    Marsha
    A Differentiated Kindergarten

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    1. Thanks Marsha and I am planning a blog post very soon dedicated completely to your wonderful I Spy and Write the Room centers :)

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  5. WOW!! All my favorites in one spot! Marsha, DeeDee, Deanna, Krissy, and now Mrs. LaBelle!! I feel like I am in the company of ROCK STARS!! Looks like a new blog to follow!! Thanks girls!

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    1. Oh my! I'm so honored to be listed among these wonderful ladies! Thank you Michelle!

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  6. Looks great! I too fell into worksheet land. Centers is always a struggle to keep them engaged and not too many pen to paper activities. This year I am doing a modified version on the daily 5 with an bonus center a day.

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  7. I am new to Kindergarten this year. (taught 4th grade before my son was born 10 years ago!) Our district uses the Literacy Center model while I'm with small group reading. I'm having a hard time putting my brain around what Literacy Centers should look like and what they should be doing. Thank you so much for putting these ideas out there!!! I tried clicking on the link for the Virtual Teaching Expo but the page is asking for a log in. Is there a way to access the program? I would love to see Lit Centers in action! :) Thanks!

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  8. Thanks Nikki! Try this link http://virtualteachingexpo.com/
    I believe from that page you can create your own account and see all the presentations that are available! Good luck! Check back often as I will be adding quite a few more literacy center ideas!

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  9. Thank you for reminding me of the Teaching Expo -- I need to go back and watch again. I read this and thought -- I could do that! I am in need of a refresher -- my class of 26 is wearing me out and I have forgotten all the great ideas I had in August!!

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  10. Thanks for visiting my blog! I'm a new follower for you. I am so happy to see that you are suing play dough in the classroom. I have taught K and First for 27 years ( I know ...)and I just love play dough. I use it in first grade for math a lot. The kids love it too!
    Best Wishes for a Great Year!
    Sarah
    I Dream of First Grade

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  11. Thank you Sarah and Welcome! A fellow play dough friend ~ lol!! They'll have to drag me kicking and screaming before I'll give up using play dough in my classroom!

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