I am starting to think about my literacy centres for next year. I would really like to have one centre at the Smartboard, but I'm not exactly sure what it would look like. Anyone care to share how you use your Smartboard as a literacy centre?
I haven't used my smartboard itself as a center (still too new, lol), although my kids are interacting with it all day. What I DID do was download and install the notebook software on all of my classroom computers so that my kiddos can run the smartboard games, activities, etc., on THEIR computers during rotations.
I would not recommend using the smart board as a center if it is during your guided reading time- since it is so large it is difficult for other children working or in group to not be distracted by it.
I was wondering if it would be a distraction! How about the overhead? Is it as much of a distraction?
I use the promethean board as a center and it is PERFECT. And I teach kinder. My guided reading group is turned away from it and the other kids know if they are not doing their center there are consequence - and NO ONE wants to miss their chance at the promethean board. I think its all about teaching expectations and consequences.
I use overhead as a center too. Again when you incorporate these tools as a normal part of the day and a normal part of center time, the kids use them as they do any other materials. I use the promethean board throughout the entire day so it is normal for my kids. Yes they love it, but they don't think twice when they see it going - its normal to them.
There is a refrigerator magnet function in the gallery. I had my first graders practice spelling words with it as a station/center. You can also set up a word sort. =)
In my 2nd grade class last year, I used the Smartboard during our workshop/center time. Depending on the skill we were working on you could create everything from large word sorts (that can be saved and reused for next time you focus on that skill), to interactive games and sequencing activities. My kids always looked forward to the day that the Smartboard was their center. Edit: creating any notebook page that uses things kids can move is what's going to engage them in a meaningful way (like the word sorts and/or sequencing) For sequencing, it can be anything from short sentences they move and put in order to tell a story or give directions, or it could be pictures, or a combination. I love using my SB!
I love using it as a center & it works great for the kids! We have several websites that the district pays for such as Study Island & the kids use it to practice/review skills we are working on. For this station, I split the group so that you have some that are working at the computers & some at the smartboard. There are no more than 3 students at a time working on the smartboard. The Active Inspire (sp?) software that comes with the smartboard, also provides games & activities for kids to practice on various subjects. It really has worked very well in my classroom. BTW the smartboard is by my GR center.
I also use the Smartboard as one of my workstations during my guided reading time. My guided reading table is facing so the kids have their back to the Smartboard. I haven't had any problems with distractions because I keep them pretty busy during guided reading as well. But I will have to say I have a small class size and my largest guided reading group is 4 students. I use the Smartboard as a word work station. The students practice high frequency words with various game boards I have created. The read the words, write the words, and spell the words. I use words that we are currently working on and words that I know certain students need extra work on. I really like it and the kids love it. It is so much easier to change weekly than hand made games.
My setup is very similar to yours! I've also created gameboards with games pieces that the kids use for reading & math. They love it too!
I have used my Mimio (turns a white board into an active board) during Math but one of my other centers had a game and then a center with practice. So it wasn't quite as bad because there was noise else where in the room. I really like the idea of having them do it on their computers.
You read my mind. Let me see if I still have it as word doc so that it'll be easy to share. I have it in a mem stick but as an Active Inspire format. I'll check & see.
p- I just emailed it to you! If anyone else would like to see it, pm me your email address. However, you will need the smartboard notebook program to open it.
I am getting a SmartBoard in my classroom next year! I am very excited and definitely want to use it as a center during guided reading!
As promised I found the word format for the game board for the smartboard. Here's what it looks like. If you want a copy PM with your e-mail so I can sent it to you.
