I run centers and find that the students become quite independent and responsible. Reading the book 'The Daily Five' will give an excellent example of how to start. I do not run mine with the same 'centers' that they have, but I do introduce mine VERY similarly.
So I see I need to find that book-who is the author again (for the Daily 5)? It is so interesting to see others opinions on this.
RainStorm, you crack me up! That kind of sense of humor is ESSENTIAL to not letting kids get to you. Hmmm...I might need to make my own Big Ol' Center of Fun. Even though I don't use centers, I could see it coming in very handy!! The Daily Five authors are Gail Boushey and Joan Moser.
Glad I could make you laugh. I've found humor can deal with so many things in the classroom rather than getting upset. One of my favorite things to do when a child is "not making a good choice" is to race over to him, and very dramatically look at him, then at what he is doing that he shouldn't be, then at him again, and let my jaw drop (totally exaggerating it) like I'm so shocked I can't even speak. It gets the point across. I also love Power Teaching's rule number 5 -- Keep Your Dear Teacher Happy! I'll get a child's attention and ask "Do I look happy?" with an over-exaggerated sad/mad/frustrated expression on my face. When she says "No!" I reply "And what is rule number 5?" Pause "You'd better find a way to make me happy QUICK! Because if I"m not happy ..." and the rest of the class chimes in with my trademark ending "then nobody's going to be happy!" When the student stops doing the offending action, I exaggerate a huge smile and say "Wow! You did it! I'm happy again!" and we all go back to work.
I think Centers are necessary in 1st as a way to let kids get out of their seats and move about the room. They just can't sit that long. They want to explore the room and touch everything. They want time on the computer and time to look through the classroom library. They want a chance to play. Centers are a great way to allow them time to do these things but also learn. I think the key is to practice center activities for about 2 weeks at the beginning of the year. We practice at our seats, rotating the activities, for a few days and they earn one center in the room at a time until they can handle them calmly.
I remember having centers when I was in kindergarten (back in the 80's) This involved table academic work in addition to other learning play centers. I went to about four kindergartens too. So, I remember one being more academic, the last kinder class that I was in, and the others being more play focused.
LOL, Peachy! When I started school (in a very small town), we didn't even HAVE kindergarten, and there was no such thing as centers in my first grade class (although I do recall nap time and watching the movie Bambi in the auditorium)
