CE-1 Describe techniques or procedures for managing literacy groups and centers.

While there will be different types of centers set up in the classroom, they will be used to reinforce the students understanding of the theme or concept currently being taught. Centers are a great way to help the students learn how to work on their own, in small groups, and to manage their time. There has to be some organization with these centers as the teacher may be working with other students as well. Here are some techniques that would help to manage these literacy groups and centers. Students will be allowed to work at the station in small groups or on individual basis (depending on center). Each group will have a student leader that will help to keep track of time and to lead by example and help keep students on task. They will also be responsible to make sure the group cleans up their area before moving to the next station. This leadership role will change weekly so that each student will have the opportunity to lead. Students will work in their rotations during the time allowed on a daily basis and yet remain on task during this timeframe. To do this the use of a timer would do well to help stay on track. Students will turn in their completed assignment into the box on the center and any work in progress will be put in the proper spots as well. The work should be taken for grading purposes and student can mark off the activity they completed on a name list at each station. This will help to ensure they do not keep repeating the same task. If the student(s) have a question they can use a rule of 3 before me. This means that they will ask 3 of their classmates before they ask the teacher. If their question is still not answered the student will be encouraged to get a card from the shelf (in the shape of something fun like a question mark) and place it on his/her desk. They will continue with other work and when the teacher has a chance, he/she knows there is a question to answer. For each center that is created for different topics (reading, writing, vocabulary, etc.), it would be greatly beneficial if the teacher shows students how to use them and explain how they are labeled. The practice of this should be done whenever there are changes. As times progress the students will pick up the routine and need only the information for the work to be done.