This discussion on the term "centers" is really intriguing. When I think of centers I'm thinking more along the lines of literacy centers that are becoming more and more a part of reading instruction. What I'm seeing at my school is teachers at a table with a small group and then the rest of the kids at "centers" but there is not much "real" reading going on. They might be flashing sight word cards or building them with magnetic letters. Then they might be at a listening station or on the computer playing a game related to a reading skill. Personally I think this is not the volume of reading that students need to progress as readers. I like the idea of doing these types of activities later in the day. However the "powers that be" have decided that these are the types of activities that students should be involved in when not at the table with the teacher. So if you look at this model from a time perspective. Kids in this type of learning situation are only spending about 10 minutes actually reading a text.
I also like the idea of building activities into centers or stations that would get the students involved in practicing the strategy that the teacher has modeled. I just know that I've got lots to think over! Angie Kelley 6th Grade Reading Teacher _______________________________________________ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
