How to Use Learning Centers in the Classroom

Listening stations allow students to learn in an auditory way without disturbing others.

Learning centers are work and play stations set up within a classroom. These centers provide opportunities for students to learn interactively. You can use learning centers to help students practice skills such as decision-making, problem solving, creating things and interacting with their peers. Learning centers help educators to address students' various learning styles and modalities. By designing and implementing learning centers properly, you can enrich your students' experience at school.

Instructions

1. Set up learning centers that address students' needs according to age and content standards. For instance, kindergarten students can learn about symmetry and design through a learning center that contains blocks. Middle school students can learn about arranging music through an interactive computer program with headphones for listening to their creations.

2. Allow time for students to work cooperatively and individually in workstations. Students who play educational games together benefit from learning about social interactions and following rules. Students who enjoy private reading time can relax while improving reading skills.

3. Direct students who may be fast workers to find extra activities in learning centers. If you have students who regularly finish tests or other assignments early, you can prevent these students from being bored by allowing them to work quietly in learning centers as the other students finish their work.

4. Allow students to think and work creatively in learning centers. This can be a means of synthesizing what they have learned in class. For instance, if you have been teaching about shapes, you can instruct students to form various shapes out of modeling clay within learning centers.

References

• State of New Jersey Website: Literacy Learning in Centers in the Kindergarten Classroom
• Mrs. McDowell: Centers