6 Significant Benefits Of Learning Centers In The Classroom

There are many teachers struggling to manage and sustain the learning centers in your classroom. While many teachers begin their year with great intentions, they usually slow down and then stop learning. We'll start with the basic question...

What Is The Definition Of Learning Centers In A Classroom?

Learning centers are an area in the classroom where students can use the skills they've learned in class. Students are excited to learn more about the curriculum via hands-on activities in learning centers. Many teachers have learning centers in classrooms that are based on math and literacy but you could also incorporate social emotional, fine motor and artistic abilities.

Why Should You Have Learning Centers In Your Classroom?

There are many reasons why learning centers are important in an elementary classroom. Learning centers are typically the most important time of the day of a child's. Here are a few good reasons why to consider including learning centers in your kindergarten or first grade classroom:

1. Practice

Students must have the opportunity to practice the skills you're teaching in class. They should have time to work with fellow students, utilize hands on manipulative materials and play games, without being in the direct direction of a teacher. Students can learn new skills when they can practice them on their own and learn on their own.

2. Independence

In addition to the opportunity to work on their skills, learning centers give students the chance to showcase what they've learned. Teachers during center time are able to monitor their children as they play and work. This is the time to evaluate the abilities of your students. Do they have the ability to complete the tasks without your assistance? By watching your students, you'll be able to tell if they understand the concepts. If you observe that they're struggling, you can step in and give a quick intervention.

3. Accountability

In the time of center the children will also demonstrate the responsibility. Using materials correctly, putting things away and cleaning up after themselves are crucial skills that children need to acquire and increase their independence. Students are empowered to handle their time in the learning centers. They begin and end an assignment by themselves, and then tidy up after them. Students may also be accountable to help others during the period of center time. If teachers are working with a small group of students in a different area of the room the students might have to rely on one another for help when needed. This will help your students become more responsible.

4. Learning Experiences Like Play

Play is the most effective way to impart knowledge to children. Students gain more knowledge when they feel that they are having enjoyable, fun, or games-like pretend play. Kids will be more motivated to take part in the activity when they feel like they're having enjoyable. Children are more likely than if they only do a pen and paper task to remember skills by playing with and manipulate materials.

5. Opportunities For Small Group Work

As teachers, we know that one of the most crucial parts of our day is working with students in small groups. You can really focus on what skills they need when you only have a handful of students. You can provide individual support and encouragement. Teachers often question teachers "What do I do in my classroom when I teach in small groups?"

Teachers can help students learn how to manage centers . They can also collaborate with students in small groups for 45-60 minutes while the rest of their class is working on other projects.

6. Differentiation

Learning centers provide a variety of ways to make your learning more differentiated. Each center is able to offer multiple activities at various difficulty levels. Students are able to choose the task that's right for them or you can assign tasks to students.

It is done by placing 3 different colored trays in each center. Each tray could be used for a different task. For example, in your math center, you may have students working on addition. It could also be possible to have an activity that helps struggling students to do basic addition in your red tray. In a green tray, you may have your students who are on level working on addition to 10. The advanced students could be working on the blue tray in which they work on a related facts task. All of your students are welcome to the same center to work on adding. However, they can also take their time and work at their own pace.

Make GPCR if you are concerned that your students will be able to be able to tell the difference in their work. The more advanced work should be placed in the blue tray for a week. The following week will should have the more advanced work in the red tray. This allows students to have the chance to work on the tray at their own level, without worrying about being evaluated.