One way to set up centers in your classroom:

Here are some ideas you can try.

Set your tables or desks in groups of four or five.

I would have a scheduled time for Centers.

1.  Each student should have a folder with a chart that has each center labeled.

2.  Each group of desks will have a center at it, with a label or card...I used to hang the sign above the center, or you can make a sign that sits in the middle.

3.   If you have a rug area, you can make this area a center area . Also if you have room in the hallway outside your room, you could have a center there, too.

4.   After you have decided on a center for each grouping, explain to the whole class what the center is and what you expect.

5.   Explain how you want the kids to behave at the center. I told them to use 12 inch voices...meaning voices could not be heard beyond 12 inches. We practiced this...Say hello to the person next to you in a normal voice, in a loud voice, in a 12 inch voice...Do you hear the difference?, etc. ( Kids need these things modeled.)

6.   Practice getting to the centers quietly. Please move to your center, walk, get materials quietly, be prompt...Actually practice...Say we are going to practice...Do it until they have the right idea.

7.   Assign each group a center to start with...( you might want to number them). Decide how much time you want them to spend in the center and how many sessions they will need.

For example: One center each session for 40 minutes, or One center, two sessions of 30 minutes. Time depends on the age of the group. Post a schedule for center times for the week.

8. Assign one person in each group to be a leader. This is the only person that can leave the group to ask you a question. IF anyone in the group has a question, they must tell the leader, if no one in the group knows the answer, the leader may leave the center to ask you.

9.  Make sure all materials needed are in the groups.

10.  Announce when there is only 5 minutes left till clean-up.  Explain ahead of time what you expect at clean-up time.

11.   Students should record or check off the centers they have completed.

12.  Allow one or two sessions at the end for make-up center time. Kids go to the centers they did not finish, or missed due to absences.

13.  Allow time to talk to them about your observations. Group 1 did a good job sharing,

"Group two I notice you included everyone in your discussion," etc. You can make a simple chart with each group in a blank square and write your observations as you walk around.