I’m back today to talk about Centers 3 and 4.
If you missed Centers 1 and 2, click {HERE}.
If you missed how I organize my centers, click {HERE}.
Here is our Centers Chart (without students’ names as of yet):
And almost all of our centers are housed here:
Center 7 is not seen here because it is the Writing Center and Center 8 is not seen here because it is the Listening Center and those centers have permanent spots in our classroom. You’ll see those later this week (fingers crossed I’m on the ball).
I couldn’t wait to start these.
Normally, I introduce these in small groups so that we all learn how to read the highlighted parts and we all learn how NOT to read the character’s name when we see it.
In other words, instead of Dog I see a duck, we learn to just read I see a duck.
You can’t just assume the kids won’t read the character’s name when they start out.
Or, you can assume, but then you’re going to want to hit your head on the table a few times while you cry out, “Don’t read the character’s name! That’s just so you know whose turn it is to speak!!!!”
But, like I said, I couldn’t wait. I have a whole year’s worth of plays now for all levels of readers (hooray!) and so I just wanted to get started. These plays help with fluency, reading, expression, etc. and, quite honestly, get the kids EXCITED about reading.
I blogged last weekend about how I failed miserably at introducing these plays whole class.
I mean, it was bad.
It was good in that everyone was super excited and telling me they were ready to perform in front of the class (they weren’t) and that it was the best day ever and this was their most favorite center ever . . . but it was mass chaos.
I also blogged last weekend about how I was going to rectify the situation.
And, by golly, it worked!!!!
I printed THE SAME play for all of my kids. I printed 15 copies of the Cat’s part and 15 copies of the Dog’s part and split the class in half.
I put another copy of the SAME play under our document camera and half the class read (at the same time!) the cat’s part and the other half of the class read (at the same time!) the dog’s part. I was wilding moving my arms around . . . directing which half of the class was supposed to read and then moving my arms to the other half when it was their turn.
We read the play three times and by the fourth time, they didn’t need me at all. And they got better each time . . . which proved practice makes progress. And it was awesome for explaining that when my kids go to Plays, they are supposed to practice, practice, practice or, as I like to call it, REHEARSE, REHEARSE, REHEARSE.
And — with that — the entire class learned how to read the highlighted part without reading the character’s name. And the entire class learned that it’s back and forth . . . we take turns speaking and reading . . . and the entire class learned how to use expression and read fluently . . . and the entire class GOT IT.
It was MAGIC!
And it was super fun!
My kids are dying to be able to perform in front of the class . . . and now they can! But only two plays will be performed because only four kids go to that center a day—so it takes no time at all!
I loaned my copies to my teammie, Laurie, the next day and she had the same things to say. She added, “WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!”
I KNOW! I said.
Center 4: Fishing
Fishing for Sight Words.
I blogged about this many moons ago {HERE}.
I’ve learned something major since then.
MAJOR.
You don’t need paper clips. I used to use paper clips and the paper clips would fall off. And then kids would come up to me and say we need four paper clips because four fish don’t have paper clips.
And I would say Look in the tub.
And they would say But we don’t know how to clip them on the fish.
Which was actually true. First graders have a hard time using a paper clip as an actual CLIP. They can use paper clips for spinners and they can use paper clips as things to untangle when they’re supposed to be listening to you teach something valuable on the carpet, but when it comes to actually using it for its intended purpose, they don’t have a clue.
I’m here to tell you: FORGET THE PAPER CLIPS.
Just put a staple into your fish.
Done!
I took all my paper clips off the fish (which was actually kind of hard in some instances because my kids had speared the fish through the eye – really) and just put a staple into each one.
Staples don’t fall off.
But they’re magnetic.
It’s brilliant. I don’t remember where I saw this life changing event, but thank you.
To introduce fishing, we sat in a big circle on the carpet.
I put the “pond” down (blue fabric that is as old as the hills) in the center of the circle and pulled four sticks (student names) to be our models.
We took turns fishing for sight words.
We learned to sit down when we fish.
We’re not fly fishing. I had them repeat that. We’re not fly fishing.
We get one fish at a time.
We read the sight word. We help others read the sight word.
The End.
Later on, I’ll ask them to use the word in a sentence or I’ll let them catch two fish at a time and use both words in a sentence or I’ll put out fish with numbers and we’ll do math or I’ll put out whales with long a words on them . . . you get the picture.
But for now, we’re just keeping it simple.
The kids were thrilled with this center. It’s always a favorite. I just laminated construction paper, die cut it, and then wrote sight words on the fish with a sharpie.
The fish are about . . . um . . . ten years old or so.
It’s probably time to upgrade, but I never make it a priority.
The staples were enough work this go-around.
🙂
I got my fishing pole from Lakeshore {HERE}. But back in the olden’ days, I had a dowel with a magnet tied to it. Either one works and makes kids happy. 🙂
And there you have it.
Now my kids are experts at Centers 3 and 4.
I love this step-by-step walk through your centers — just enough to digest at a time, not so much that it's overwhelming. And I love that you teach one center at a time and ALL the kids do it at the same time while you watch/help; what a great way to ensure that they "get" it! I'll bet your kids are so engaged with these!
I'm appreciating all your positive posts as you begin the school year. My first day is tomorrow! Yikes!
🙂 Amanda
http://secondgradesuccess.blogspot.com/
You are My hero!!! I so wish I could meet you. Thanks for making my life easier!!