Learning Centers

Incorporating Centers in the Classroom and

Strategies for Teachers to Do So

Introduction
Difficult to keep up with the latest, most updated strategies and methods
for teaching?
Trying to find the most effective way to teach students in the classroom?
Many new developments and discoveries have been made to improve one
very popular method of teaching, that is, Learning Centers
Keep in mind that Special Needs students are those that: have physical
disabilities, intellectual disabilities, behavioral problems, and those that are
Gifted and Talented.

What are Learning Centers?

Learning Centers are self-contained parts of a classroom where students
participate in small group and independent work

Purpose

What are Learning Centers and how do they enhance learning in a typical classroom?

How does differentiated learning, such as learning centers, benefit a young child with Special
needs, and do the learning centers work better for Special Needs students in an
inclusive/typical classroom or better off in their own classroom?

Also, what strategies do teachers need to use to effectively create Learning Centers in the
classroom?

To show how learning centers can benefit both Special Education and Typical Students

To find new methods and strategies to use in learning centers in the classroom

Methodology
Survey I would conduct
Included in Typical
Learning centers

Exclusively with
other Special Needs
Students

Interview Typical and Intervention Teachers

Researched Learning Centers in Textbooks and used my Literature
Reviews as resources

100

20

Findings
The Climate and Space in the classroom dictate success in learning
The amount of Time a teacher allows at each center affects student
learning
The Room Arrangement affects how students interact with one another
and with provided materials in the classroom
Technology Advancements
Planned and Directed by both the STUDENT and the TEACHER (The
Four Levels of Learning Centers) by Peggy Snowden and Linda Christian

Climate
It is an emotional feeling that a student or teacher gets from the
surrounding environment
The appeal of the classroom can dictate success in learning
Use materials in the centers that capture students interest
Design the centers to evoke a home-like atmosphere

Time

It is important to train students to efficiently minimize transitional times between centers and
maximize learning time in the centers

Use symbols to represent when the time is up and when it is time to move to the next center

Be sure to be clear in instruction

Influences students: self-expression, complex thinking, and attention span

It is also important that students with Special Needs receive the proper time that they need

Space
Use small groups (approximately 3-5 children) in a center
Use flexible materials
Definite spaces for noisy and quiet activities
Accomodate Special Needs students

Room Arrangement

Technology Advancements
Use CD or Computer-recorded audio (MP3 file) to assist students in
reading centers
Use IPads or Tablets in the classroom
Computers in a Learning Center

Planned and Directed

Four Levels of Learning Centers according to Peggy Snowden and Linda
Christian
Level One: Teacher Planned/ Teacher-Directed
Level Two: Teacher Planned/ Student-Directed
Level Three: Student-Planned/ Teacher-Directed
Level Four: Student-Planned/Student-Directed
Each one of these levels leads up to each other, and as children grow and
develop, the teacher will determine when it is time to move to the next level

Learning Centers or Traditional Teaching

Quiz:
Which Type of Teacher are YOU?

References
Isenberg, J.P. & Jalongo, M.R. (2010). Creative Thinking and Arts-Based Learning: Preschool Through Fourth Grade, Columbus, Ohio: Merril.
Scholastic. (2013). A New Approach to Learning Centers. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/new-approach-learning-centers
Diller. (2003). Literacy Centers. Retrieved from http://www.teachervision.fen.com/skill-builder/learning-center/48549.html?detoured=1

Rocco & Rosello (2010). Benefits and Disadvantages of Using Centers in the Elementary Classroom. Retrieved from
http://nyteachers.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/1357/

Genisio and Drecktrah. (1999). Emergent Literacy in an Early Childhood Classroom: Center Learning to Support the Child with Special Needs. Early
Childhood Education Journal, 26(4), 225-231.

Snowden and Christian. (1998). 4 Levels of Learning Centers for Use with Young Gifted Children. Gifted Child Today Magazine, 21(5) pgs. 36-41.

Reyes, C. (2010). A Teachers Case for Learning Centers. Young Children, pgs. 94-98
Reutzel, D.R. & Cooter R.B. (2012). Teaching Children to Read: The Teacher Makes the Difference, Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson Education, Inc.