Redding School District

Do Not Rush to Have Students Work at Centers - Some teachers feel that it is important to have students work at centers as soon as possible. Remember that the lack of structure presented by centers can be a serious problem unless students have demonstrated they can handle the independence.

Working in centers should be one of the last instructional activities that you have students engage in. Before you attempt this activity, make sure the students have learned to work independently, in pairs, and in groups.

Transitions - Give students a 2-minute warning before asking them to move to another center. This will help them wrap up their work and focus on the upcoming transition.

Come up with a signal to indicate that students need to rotate to another center. Some teachers play a short musical piece. When the music stops, students must be at the next center and starting their work.  The music must have a unique timing to it much like the tune that "Jeopardy" uses to let their contests know that the time to make their guess is ending.  A bell or hand signal can also be an effective cue.

To prompt students to make the transition quickly, set a timer for 2 minutes and allow students to go from their seats to the centers. See if they can beat the clock without racing or becoming too loud. Remember to narrate the behavior of students who are on task during the transition.

Introduce the Centers with a "Preview Day" - Have the students join you as you tour each center and introduce activities or explain assignments. A preview day gives you the opportunity to highlight exciting activities as well as answer questions that might arise later when students work independently.

Supply each center with an answer key - When students finish, they can self-correct their work using an answer key. Not only does it provide immediate feedback, it also reduces the amount of paperwork to be graded.

Let students know you are monitoring their behavior - For the first few times students are at centers, focus on helping students learn how to behave successfully. in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, regularly narrate the behavior of students who are following directions and are engaged in the learning activity at the center.

This is an instructional activity that requires you to constantly move from center to center to ensure students understand directions and are staying on task. Keep an eye on students who have trouble with a lack of structure and use your presence and attention as a preventive tool as necessary.

Make a Path to Guide Student Movement From Center to Center - Help students find the next center by making a path on the floor leading from center to center. For example, you can use a line from the movie The Wizard of Oz by asking students to "follow the yellow brick road" to get to the next center.

Establish a System for Students to Ask for Help - Students are going to need help when they work at centers. Establish a system for students to indicate when they need assistance. One method you may find helpful is to provide each center with a colorful flag students can hold up to indicate that they have a question.

Establish a System for Assigning Students to Centers - Use an entertaining visual aid to assign students fairly to each center. One example is to make a bicycle wheel out of cardboard with each student's name written on the spokes. When assigning centers, spin the wheel to select a student. Allow that student to select the center he or she would like to attend. Continue to spin the wheel until all students are at a center.