To: K-2 Teachers
From: Vonnie (Mrs. Purple) Lewis/PSRC Curriculum Specialist (K-2)
Literacy centers are one of several learning stations arranged in a classroom
designed for students to visit and learn independently. A literacy center features
hands-on activities that reinforce concepts and themes taught in the classroom. A
literacy center provides students with opportunities to work with others and
independently, and problem solve. In order for literacy centers to be effective, they
must be interesting and deal with topics the teacher has already taught to the class.
Literacy centers within an elementary school classroom feature a variety of stations
geared toward phonics, phonemic awareness, spelling, reading, and writing.
Children can practice what they learn in class in an engaging, interactive
environment.
Literacy centers involve a great deal of advanced planning in order for them to be
effective classroom tools. A teacher must decide how many centers will be located
in the classroom. This depends on his/her ability to manage the centers and the
amount of space available in the room. Each center must complement the skills,
concepts, and topics he/she teaches to his/her students.
Each center must have materials arranged in an organized manner so that students
can find what they need and clean up when the activity is ready to be put away. The
literacy centers should have interesting materials so that students are excited about
visiting them.
All learning centers should be clearly labeled and easy for children to locate. Before
allowing students to use centers, teachers need to show students how to use them.
Important rules should be established and posted before students can use the
literacy centers.
Teachers can use their creativity to devise a variety of literacy stations to reinforce
learning. Since children learn best when actively engaged, it is crucial to organize
literacy centers that will provide hands-on experience to students as they strengthen
reading and writing skills. Literacy centers are useful ways to enrich classroom
instruction.