Learning centers in elementary and some middle school classrooms have been fairly well accepted although the concept does have its critics.  Time concerns include:

• Some classes have a set amount of minutes while other teachers can set their own limits.
• It takes time to make sure students are on task.
• Setting up the centers may eat into teacher’s time.

Learning centers also involve a great deal of planning, as well as funding to equip the centers. The most telling arguments against learning centers include:

• Some teachers would rather do whole class assignments.
• They feel the extra work and smaller group activities aren’t to their liking.
• Learning centers require many more grading rubrics.
• Small group work increases the noise level.

These are all difficult arguments to overcome.

However, to those who enjoy the idea of learning centers, I recommend starting small and moving ahead as you feel the need and acquire the resources.  Many upsides exist to this type of learning environment; however, as always, no one method proves best for every situation.  Go with your instincts, and talk to teachers who have already invested time and (most likely their own) money in creating centers.

Types of Learning Centers

The types of learning centers are numerous -- from those that deal with the major styles of learning such as auditory, tactual and visual to those centered on enrichment and a combination of the two.  These centers revolve around enrichment activities focused on the main objective of the lesson and offer a variety of ways to learn those concepts.  They are best used after the class has been exposed to the main lesson and showed some knowledge of its ingredients.  Typically, the centers provide more layers to the learning and a deeper understanding of the material.  In an ideal world, the learning centers combine both cooperative work and individual activities.  For example, a group could create a mural, and an individual could write a poem about what was learned.

Another type of center is based on mastering a fact by performing tasks directly related to that acquisition.  These skill centers enable a student to see data in a variety of ways, but also promote repetition to inculcation of important facts. The main difference between skill and enrichment centers is the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning.  Enrichment centers require students to take a set piece of information and create projects from that in ever expanding circles of reasoning.  Skill centers require students to take a fact and work to learn that fact as it applies to the situation.  So, skill centers offer less freedom and more structure.

Consider a learning center that allows students creative freedom to express themselves with a limited amount of structure as to subject matter.   Set up a discovery-based center in which the materials provided allow the students to find a variety of answers to a question or even to produce their own questions.  These centers are easy to construct once the teacher has a handle on the students’ interests.  For example, if the class is studying ancient civilizations, provide pictures, models, building blocks and other materials, so they can decide different ways to construct weapons, protect cities, dress soldiers and even build a modern day fortified city.

Some possible Language Arts centers include: A vocabulary center; a compare-and-contrast center for use with reading short stories; a diary center to reflect on what has been learned or to write a biography for a character; a test-writing center where students create tests for others to take; an art center to create posters that  illustrate a point of learning or advertise a book or other work;  a mnemonic device center where students create ways to help them memorize facts;  and a linking center where students use diagrams to link previous learning to present learning. 

The key to all good learning centers is the teacher’s ability to break the lesson into smaller parts so the learning centers can build on the initial objective.  This plus the teacher’s knowledge of the students’ interests create more dynamic learning opportunities and more on-task behavior. But keep in mind that designing grading rubrics for activities at all these centers is very difficult and might be considered as part of a larger grading package.

Resources

Classroom Centers
A teacher-created site with fresh ideas for primary and elementary levels

Classroom Learning Centers Use Sound to Enhance Learning
This site outlines what to consider before setting up an audio learning center, including media players, headphones and more.

Classroom Organization and Workstations
A large link site with valuable ideas on how to arrange and use learning centers

How to Incorporate Learning Centers in the Classroom
Another simple site with eight rules to follow when setting up your classroom

Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators -- Learning Centers
Some links, but mainly books on the topic from Amazon. Always check prices of these books with other sources before buying.

Learning Center Ideas
Cute and free printable sites to label learning centers

Learning Centers
More detailed and some creative ones, too, that use multiple intelligences

Learning Centers in the Middle School Classroom
This WikEd piece is an excellent short article on the pros and cons of using these centers as well as some suggestions and possible problems -- a good read for all levels.

Literacy Links

Picture Perfect Small Group Workshop
This primary learning center site includes literacy station boards, a PowerPoint how to and even a variation of Bloom’s taxonomy in the form of a printable Marzano’s Level of Thinking should be part of every teacher’s grading rubric and objectives.

Sail On Fifth Grade
Interactive lessons that could be used for computerized learning centers.

Sail On Music K-5
Interactive lessons that could be used for computerized learning centers.

Sail On Technology Apps K-2
Interactive lessons that could be used for computerized learning centers.

Sail On Third Grade
Interactive lessons that could be used for computerized learning centers.

Setting Up Your Classroom
Ideas for all types of situations, including learning centers -- worth a quick read.

Sparklebox
This site has a variety of lessons on all areas of learning and most grade levels. Take your time and explore the many avenues this free resource from Great Britain provides.

SparkleBox Key Stage 2