How to Set up Centers in an Elementary Classroom

A classroom center can help equip children with independent learning skills.

A center is a self-contained space within the classroom dedicated to a particular activity. Centers allow children to focus on one specific subject area and provide them with easy access to a wide range of appropriate learning resources. Best of all, centers can be designed to suit the specific needs and abilities of your students. Dividing your elementary classroom into effective centers of learning and creativity can be easily achieved with some planning, consideration and organization.

Instructions

Considerations

1. Decide on the type(s) of center. Elementary classrooms generally consist of a literacy center to improving reading and writing, a quiet center for reflection and relaxation and a math or science center. You can provide fewer or more centers, however, to suit your class and curriculum.

2. Divide classroom space. Each center will need to have enough room for children to be comfortable and use the resources contained in that center. You will also need to decide on the best configuration (of desks, chairs, materials, etc.) to promote easy movement between the centers and around the classroom generally.

3. Equip each center with resources. This will depend on the learning objective for each center; for example, practicing reading in a literacy center will require access to the classroom library. Cut down on waiting time and engage students by having the necessary resources prepared and ready to go.

4. Divide the class into groups. This will ultimately depend on the amount of space available in each center as children should have enough room to maneuver. You can group children via reading or writing ability, alphabetically or randomly. It may help to give each group a name.

5. Devise a schedule. You will need to consider how often you use the centers and how much time children should spend in one center. Incorporate center working into the existing class timetable to better manage each center's use.

6. Manage the centers. Once children are grouped and working in the centers, you will need to move around the classroom regularly to ensure that each child in working and staying on-task. If possible, use a classroom assistant to help with classroom management.

Tips & Warnings

• Modify your centers to meet the interests, needs and abilities of your students.

• Clearly label each center with its name and, if necessary, its objective.

• Always ensure students get a chance to experience each of the centers.

References

• Teachervision: Learning Centers - Tips and Advice For Teachers
• "The Key Elements of Classroom Management: Managing Time and Space, Student Behavior, and Instructional Strategies"; J. Mcleod, J. Fisher & G. Hoover; 2003
• Teachervision: The Basics of Centers

Resources

• ABC Teach: Learning Centers