Literacy Centre Organization for TeachersI am often asked how I organize my literacy centres or stations. This can be a daunting task. Not only do we have to come up with all these ideas, stations, and activities, but we have to find a way to structure it so that the students can be independent and get something out of it!
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Here are some tips:
Now how do you store all of these games?
- Pre-teach each game. Yes, it takes time, but trust me when I say it will be worth it. I start first thing Monday morning. I introduce one new literacy game that the whole class can try. If there are similar games, I introduce them here as well. We try the game together as an example, then get into pairs to play with support. If your class is intrigued, then regroup and introduce one more just like before. Now you have two that they can try. Limit the new games you introduce to one or two per week depending on the grade.
- I keep my literacy stations in five colourful bins that I set out in the class. When it is time for literacy centres, they go to their assigned bin and one group checks in with the teacher (reading strategy lesson of some kind). They do not rotate to the next until I am ready for the next group (about 8-10 minutes). I place one to three games that are similar in content in the bin. For example, one bin might focus on th blends, another on magic e, and another on rhyming. These games stay in the bin for no more than one week. By the end of the week, students have been to all bins and have time to visit the free choice literacy stations I have set out that week (free writing, a new listen to reading station, etc.). If you want to know my whole reading plan for the class (silent reading, book bins, home reading, etc.), email me! Happy to share!
- Change out your games! Do not have a game out for more than two weeks. They will get destroyed by students who are bored! Bring it back in a few weeks when they miss it.
- Parents are an asset so use them! Parents want to help. Get them to cut out your new games or laminating. They love to see what you are doing and their child gets a thrill when they can say, "My mom/dad made this!"
- Have a few games that are not in the literacy centre stations for early finishers. These are separate, special, pre-taught, and kept aside for those 10 minute time fillers for whatever reason.
- Have an unmotivated student? Make them the teacher. Pre-teach the game just to that student and give them one partner to teach it to. This may not work for all partner pairings, but it can give that student a lot of pride and a feeling of importance. They become the expert.
Now how do you store all of these games?
- Ziploc bags: I spend a lot of money on Ziploc bags, I will admit. They are extremely practical for filing your games away in a filing cabinet and make for easy access.
- Food storage containers: The dollar stores have great food storage containers that come in multipacks that are perfect for the games. Tape the instructions to the lid and lock the pieces away! Great for stacking and easy cleaning for students.
Most importantly:
All of the pre-teaching takes more effort up front. In the end, you will be so happy that you did. Be consistent and check in on the expectations. Games like this and learning through play will give you so much more one-to-one time with those students that really need you.
- Teach the students how to clean up the games themselves! Demonstrate what it looks like to clean them up (yes, pretend to be them and have them watch). Show where to put them when they are done. Have a classroom job called Game Inspector. They are in charge of checking if the pieces are there, that the game is tidied and placed back where it belongs, reporting any games that are not in good condition anymore, and helping others remember the expected clean up procedure.
All of the pre-teaching takes more effort up front. In the end, you will be so happy that you did. Be consistent and check in on the expectations. Games like this and learning through play will give you so much more one-to-one time with those students that really need you.