Literacy Learning Centres:
Some Ideas
Grades 3 – 6
Proof Reading
To develop the children’s skills in
proof reading.
Texts to proof read
Sheet to use as a guide, see Spell It
Out! Page
A range of dictionaries and spell
checkers
Children proof read texts, marking
in alterations and additions. They
can come together as a group and
compare responses.
Dictionary Skills
To develop the student’s skills in
using a dictionary.
A range of dictionaries
Activity sheets (developed by the
teachers). See example in Spell It
Out! Page
Children complete activity sheet
focusing aspects of dictionary use.
Word Origins
To develop an interest in words
and word origins
A range of dictionaries (including
dictionaries of etymology)
Paper / Pens / Textas
Colored cardboard
Students write out and collect notes
on original words. Those could be
kept in a special book displayed
around the room.
Word Snakes
To practice spelling skills.
Grid
List of topic words or words being
studied
Pens / pencils
Game similar to Scrabble, but
teacher can use list words which
are the class focus, to example
topic words or words with specific
pattern. For more information, see
W.A. First Steps Spelling Resource
Book.
Spell-a-ma-doodle
To reinforce correct spelling of
words.
Paper
Colored texts
Games
To reinforce spelling skills.
To develop interest and enjoyment
in our language.
A range of teacher made and
commercially produced games.
Children are given time to select
and play with games.
Newspaper Scavenger Hunt
To reinforce key components of
newspapers.
To reinforce a range of reading
skills.
Copies of newspapers
Scavenger Hunt list
Paper
Scissors and glue
Students have to find a range of
component the daily newspaper,
cut them out and record.
(See sample sheet)
Atlas Chase
To reinforce skills required when
using an atlas, for example,
locating places, using a grid.
Copies of atlases
Paper and pencils
Atlas Chase activity sheet
Students are required to work
through a series of activities,
locating certain landmarks and
recording where they were found.
Class Magazine / Newspaper
To develop the children’s skills in
writing for a particular audience
and in developing a piece of
writing for publication.
Computer or writing materials
Children are given time to draft
and work through articles for the
class magazine or newspaper.
Literature Circles
To discuss responses to a text.
Multiple copies of text read by the
students.
Lists of questions as discussion
starters.
Students discuss aspects of a text
they have all read or listened to.
Reading Comprehension:
Fiction
To extend the students’
comprehension of text.
Range of reading comprehension
activities, for example:
Plot Profile
Character Rating
Police Report
Character Self-Portrait
Story Grammar
Time Lines
Wanted Poster
See W.A. First Steps Reading
Resource Book, pages 88-109
Students undertake an activity
about a story they are about to
read, have read or listened to.
Activity may be appropriate
before, during or after reading the
text.
Teachers may select one or provide
a range of activities for students to
choose from.
Reading Comprehension:
Non-Fiction
To extend the students’
comprehension of text.
Range of reading comprehension
activities, for example:
Data (Retrieval) Charts
Think Sheet
Interesting Word Chart
Graphic Outline
Semantic Grids
See W.A. First Steps Reading
Resource Book, pages 59-87
Students undertake an activity
about an informational text they
are about to read, have read or
listened to.
Activity may be appropriate
before, during or after reading the
text.
Teachers may select one or provide
a range of activities for students to
choose from.
Graffiti Board
To allow students time to write for
their peers and themselves and to
develop creativity and design.
Poster paper or white board
Textas or whiteboard markers
Students are given the opportunity
and time to decorate or write on the
graffiti board using pictures,
designs, words, etc.
T.V. Viewing Guides
To reinforce skills needed when
using a T.V. guide
A range of television guides
Paper and pens
Students write out a ‘viewing path’
for themselves. Record including
program, time and channel. This
could be adapted so that students
choose programs from another
audience.
Catalogues
To reinforce skills needed when
using catalogues.
A range of catalogues
Paper and pencils
Students are allocated a certain
amount of money. They select
items they would like to buy. List
total.
Phone Number Find
To extend the children’s skills in
using telephone books to locate
Phone books
Sheets requesting phone numbers
Students are given sheets with a
list of phone numbers to locate and
record.
Adapted from Julie Shepherd
1997