Purpose 

The purpose of Literacy Centers is to provide students with opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge in the areas of reading, writing, and grammar. During Literacy Centers, the teacher is working with Guided Reading groups.  

Routines are very important during Literacy Centers. Students must work independently and understand that they are accountable for the work they do. Literacy Centers are a time for learning and not a social gathering for students. 

To ensure students understand that their work is important, they are responsible for completing a daily Literacy Log that is turned in at the end of the week. The Literacy Log can be kept in a student folder or in their portfolio so that it is available during parent/teacher conferences. It is also important that students have the opportunity to confer with the teacher about what they are learning during Literacy Centers.

Many of the centers listed below are differentiated based on student selections. Literacy Centers do not have to be complicated or include a great deal of prep time. As a busy teacher you do not want to spend 30 minutes each week setting up centers. Keep them simple and the kids will LOVE them.

 

Self Selected Reading	During Self-Selected Reading, students read from their book bins/bag or they read their AR (Accelerated Reader) books. During this time students can take AR quizzes and visit the library.
Buddy Reading Center	Students participating in the Buddy Reading Center select a pre-bagged book set (2 books of the same text), read the book together, and then respond by asking each other questions from the Buddy Reading Task Cards, As a culminating activity each student must complete the Buddy Reading Log.
Listening Center	Students participating in the listening center listen to books on tape and respond either through a Listening Log or a Graphic Organizer,
Poetry Center	Students participating in the Poetry Center select a poem, paste it into their notebook/folder, and then respond by selected a Poetry Activity Task Card.   Teacher Prep: Include poems for students to select.
Newsworthy Center	Students participating in the Newsworthy Literacy Center select a task card and page from the newspaper. Students then respond to the task card. Student work can be pasted into their notebook/folder.
On-Track Spelling	Students participating in the On-Track Spelling Center continue to practice their spelling words.
Writing Center	Students participating in the Writing Center can continue to work on their projects from Writer's Workshop or select from a list of activities provided by the teacher.     Teacher Prep: Include pictures and coloring books for students to select. Students can also respond to pen pals and write letters to family/friends/soldiers.
Handwriting Center	Students participating in the Handwriting Center work on handwriting books provided with the system's Reading series or handwriting pages provided on the Internet.

However, students do need variety so it is important to include a few centers that change periodically.

 

Grammar Gorillas	Students participating in Grammar Gorillas practice grammar skills necessary for effective writing.    Teacher Prep: Print activities from the link above or copy practice pages from the Mailbox Magazine or EdHelper and place them in the center.
Making Words	Students participating in Making Words choose from the activities provided by the teacher. Scoop and Spell is a big hit.   Teacher Prep: Print activities from the link above or provide letter tiles for Scoop and Spell.
Response to Literature	Students participating in the Response to Literature center reread a book selected by the teacher (usually the book read during Reader's Workshop) and respond using a Graphic Organizer.   Teacher Prep: Select a literature book and activity.
Non-Fiction Center	Students participating in the Non-Fiction center read books based on a theme (matter, space, etc.) and respond by creating their very own non-fiction fact book or similar product.   Teacher Prep: Select non-fiction literature and corresponding activities.

 

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