Library centers have been in full swing for more than 1 1/2 years at DC Elementary, and with the new semester just a few days away, it's time to reveal a new approach to the centers. In the past, students participated in centers based on their table number.
Centers rotated each cycle, and students often had choices related to books and reading, technology, word play, and story telling. (You can read about
previous library centers posts HERE.)
Now, however, centers will all be free choice, with nine options from which to choose rather than seven. Check out this Vine video that shows a quick overview:
The nine choices relate to some of the same kinds of topics, but also included are centers that feature building and observation, along with some favorites like storytelling and technology.
Stay tuned for updates to the poster and different centers available to students!
I love the idea of offering free choice centers, but how do you control the number of students at each center, or make sure students visit a different one each week? Do you have a system for keeping track? In my first round of trying centers, I discovered that some classes/students are much better at handling free choice than others...!
ReplyDeleteI use centers in my library as well, and I put a sign at each table with the number allowed there. I also make sure that is how many chairs are around that table. No chairs? Center is full
DeleteHi, Kate. I've had centers in place for more than 2 years, and students know that 4 kids at a center is the "magic number." (We have 6 computers, though, so 6 kids at that center.) I don't keep track of who goes to which center; they're on the honor system. We haven't rotated through many weeks, but so far, students seem to be rotating well on their own. You're right that some classes/students are better at free choice than others! :)
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