literacy centers are stations or areas in the classroom where literacy activities are set up for use...
TRANSCRIPT
Literacy Centers are stations or areas in
the classroom where literacy
activities are set up for use
By Michelle S. Gates
Literacy Centers
Within my classroom, I plan to have seven
literacy centers
•Mad for Music•Wild and Wacky Science
•Letters from You!
•Look, Think, Write
•Books & Baskets
•Fun Numbers•Yesteryears!
Centers will take place daily during small group
time
Centers will be arranged around the perimeter of the room but in view of the small groups table
Stacking trays for papers
Student File Sink
Door to Hall
Bookcase
Window
Closet with coat hooks & 3 shelves
Supply Closet
Counter with underneath storage
Curriculum Hanging Files
File Cabinet & Trashcan
Teacher’s Desk
Student Desk
Student Work Stations
Student Storage Cubicles
Four extra desks & pencil
sharpener
Flip Chart
Bookcase
Cabinet with large drawers for storing charts & bulletin board information,
Blackboard with
Corkboards on sides
Extra Desks with baskets of reading books on them, Tape player:
Blackboard and Corkboards on sides, Projection screen
Table with three computers
Overhead Cart & Elmo Cart Math
Supply Shelf
Trashcan
Small groups table
Pencil sharpener
Cart with T.V., DVR, VCR
N
Each center will have a unique sign
Books & Baskets
Mad for Music
Wild & Wacky Science
“Rules for Fun Centers” will be posted in the
classroomRules for all “Fun Centers”
1. Place contract in left side of center folder2. Take turns3. Work quietly4. Stay in your center5. If you do not understand something, ask 3
classmates before asking the teacher6. Carefully complete all assigned projects 7. Fill out your contract8. Clean up the center 9. Return folder in holder
Student’s names will rotate on a pocket chart
on the wall
Pictures on the chart will match center signs
Children will be grouped according to levels
Books & Baskets
Each student will have a “Center Folder” kept in a
central location
Tasha’sCenter Folder
Louis Armstrong
lesson designed
for “Mad for Music”
Literacy Center
Objectives of “Louis Armstrong” Mad for Music
Literacy Centers• The student will study & observe a topic they are unfamiliar
with and apply new knowledge through responding & writing
• The student will read fiction and nonfiction with fluency and accuracy• Use context to clarify meanings of unfamiliar words• Use context to identify semantics and syntax
• The student will write effective explanations• Focus on one aspect of a topic• Develop a plan for writing• Organize writing to convey a central idea
• The student will practice spelling through identifying proper order of alphabet in words
• The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fiction & non-fiction• Identify major events and supporting details• Make simple inferences, using information from
texts• Draw conclusions, using information from texts• Identify new information gained from reading
Each center will have individual rules
Mad for Music Center Rules
1. Place contract in left side of center folder2. Take turns reading pages in the book(s)3. Plug in headsets before watching or
listening to videos or music4. Carefully complete all assigned projects 5. Fill out your contract6. Clean up the center
Each center will have a contractContract
Student ____________________ Grade ____
Notes
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Each center will have a “things to do” list
Things To Do In order
Student ________________________________
Read the book “Who Was Louis Armstrong?” Open the Louis Armstrong folder on desktop and watch “When the Saints
Come Marching In” video…you may dance or march “nicely” in your center Complete Reading and Responding packet Complete “Louis Armstrong semantics” worksheet Watch and listen to “What a Wonderful World” video on desktop and check
answers to semantics worksheet Complete “Louis Armstrong” word search
Read the book“Who Was Louis
Armstrong”Louis Armstrong is one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, and this book tells his amazing story. Armstrong grew up in a tough section of New Orleans. At a young age, he got into trouble and was sent to a boy’s home. There, he discovered his love for music. From then on, Louis worked to make a name for himself as both a musician and a songwriter. With his talent and music, he was able to break down color barriers and bring joy to millions. John O’Brien’s illustrations give the reader visuals to accompany the story. The book also includes interesting facts that help explain some of the topics that the narrator discusses, such as details on the history of jazz, the Great Migration, and some basic jazz terminology.
Open the Louis Armstrong folder on desktop and watch “When the Saints Come Marching In”
video
Louis Armstrong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLjbMBpGDA&feature=related
Children are instructed that they may march or dance nicely in their center area
Complete Reading and Responding packet
The Reading and Responding packet includes:
• A short article with comprehension questions• Choosing the main purpose • Vocabulary • Written response to a prompt
Example“Armstrong played jazz on the trumpet and sang in his unique gruff voice.” The definition of unique is
A. unpleasant B. soft C. boring D. unusual
Complete Louis Armstrong semantics worksheetBASIC ENGLI SH : MODULE A
Symantics Worksheet
Directions-Read the words to Louis Armstrong’s song and predict or “guess”
which the word best completes the verse. Write the word in the blank.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG
The whole world knows his name. Who could forget the sweet
sound of his trumpet, the granular grace of his voice, the
brightness of his smile? Louis Armstrong, is one of greatest
jazz giants of the 20th century.
WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
I see trees of____________ ______________ roses too I see them ______________
for me and you And I______________ to myself
... what a ______________________ world
I see skies of ________________ and clouds of _________________
the __________________ blessed day the ________________ sacred night
And I think to myself ... what a wonderful ________________
The _____________ of the rainbow so___________________ in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see __________________ shaking hands saying, "How _________ you do?"
They're really saying ... "I ________________ you"
I hear ____________________ crying
I __________________ them grow They'll learn much more
than I'll ever__________________ And I think to myself
... ______________ a wonderful world Yes, I think to myself
... what a wonderful world
Oh yeah...
Choose the words from this box BABIES BLOOM BLUE BRIGHT COLORS DARK DO FRIENDS GREEN KNOW LOVE PRETTY RED THINK WATCH WHAT WHITE WONDERFUL WORLD
Open the Louis Armstrong folder on desktop and watch“What a Wonderful World”
video on desktop and check your answers on the semantics
worksheet
Louis Armstrong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnRqYMTpXHc&feature=related
Complete the “Louis Armstrong” word search
Coal New
Orleans
Ambassador
Cornet Newspaper
s
Armstrong Grammy Poverty
Band Gruff Recordings
Band instrument Satchmo
Celebrity Jazz Singer
Cheeks Louis Swing
Chicago Musician Trumpet
I D O D N A B P S W Z A R CC J Y E R S O L A T B G E HS A A I I V B Y M E N G C I
T Z M U E T N T B P E N O CN Z O R G N A I A M W O R AE L T S R E I R S U S R D GM Y R K U W C B S R P T I OU L D E F O I E A T A S N P
R A N E F R S L D W P M G NT O A H B L U E O F E R S SS C B C I E M C R F R A I XN H J G R A M M Y U S V I DI G R E G N I S C O R N E T
S W I N G S O M H C T A S Q
“Louis Armstrong” Name __________________________
Assessment• Students will self-assess by circling blocks on rubric and making notes on back of rubric if desired
• The teacher will collect contracts, lists and work from folders and place in a student collection folder. Teacher will return with input in notes area and a grade reflective of rubric guidelines and self assessment within three days
• One weekly grade will be given based on an average of the weeks literacy center grades
A
ReflectionAfter completing my presentation, I reflected and realized I needed to add more information about assessment. I decided to include student self-assessment because I feel that if they have some input on their grading, they will be more diligent in their work. I also added a time frame of when work would be returned. I feel it is important to quickly return work to students with input so that they are aware of their strengths and weaknesses
I wanted to add an activity that made music but could not find a free website. I could not include actual musical instruments in the center because of noisiness and/or sanitary issues
I feel that students will enjoy & learn from the centers which I will change if I feel it is necessary