Principal’s RetreatLevel 1 and 2Ashley Higgins

Important Aspects for Centers Classroom Arrangement Routines and Expectations Typical Center Rotation

Classroom Arrangement

Imagine Learning

Center

Buzz Center

Listening Center

Group Practice Center

 

Staple Center

Instructional Center

 

Evidence and

Assessment Center

Flow Chart for Center Rotation 

Centers

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The six table centers feature:• Three separate folders that are

color coded to correspond to a specific target, group, and level

• Within these folders are various activities that function to assist the students to master a target or targets

Back of Room• The back of the room

features activities including:• Word Wall Exercises• Leveled Readers• Books on Tape• Educational Puzzles• Flexible Meeting Area for

Discussing the Agenda on the Carpet

Typical Center Execution

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• Dividing students, targets, and learning objectives:

• Assess students at the beginning of the year through Performance Series then divide intro appropriate groups with corresponding colors (change groups with each testing period)

• Have two to three students at a center

• Provide individual and collaborative projects

• Offer various learning modalities to show mastery

• Provide table and carpet exercises

Routinesand Expectations

Cleaning Up a CenterTo transition to a new center:1. I ask my students to stop their

activity and say “if you can hear my hands clap once, if you can hear my hands clap twice, if you can hear my voice clap three times, wiggle your fingers in the air, now give me a scholar position.”

2. Following this attention grabber I ask my students to clean up silently and place their heads on their table when finished. When the table finishes I inspect them and give them a point depending on quickness and cleanliness.

Behavioral Narration is key

Movement to a New Center

1. I ask my students to point to the center they will go to after I get they show me their center is finished by having the head down.

2. I then as my students show me how they move (with a hug and bubble).

3. Finally show me what they will do with their heads when they arrive.

Behavioral Narration is key

Checkmark System• If you receive more than:

• 3 check marks it is half of your recess

• 6 checkmarks you lose all your recess

• 9 checkmarks it is a transfer to a buddy room

• 12 checkmarks is a phone call home• 15 checkmarks is a pass to the

office

Clip Marking System• Every table possess a clip chart• Every three checks a student

receives a color change• My students know that every

clip down has a certain consequence

Clear Expectations with RewardsPosted at the front of the room I have posters that reveal:• Personal Rewards you may receive

depending on your individual point gains• Group Rewards depending on the

amount of points your group receives• Very concise and clear rules for the

maintenance of centers• Consistent consequences of what may

occur if you fail to recognize our rules

Engaging FamilyTo ensure that parents understand their students behavior and mastery of targets I send home a sheet of paper that dictates: 1) How may check they received

throughout the week,2) The targets mastered,3) Followed by additional comments.

Typical Center Rotation

The Division Of Groups

Typical division of groups requires:• A Performance Series test that possess

their relative mastery of various targets

• Dividing groups allows you to focus your attention on weak areas that students need more focused attention upon

• The colors offer the target which the group desires to master that week and therefore the main objective of every activity in their folder at the various centers

Following the Green Group:Objective: Review of Word FamiliesCenter Activity: Small Group Instruction

Following the Green Group:Objective: Review of Word FamiliesCenter Activity: Listening Center

Following the Green Group:Objective: Review of Word FamiliesCenter Activity: Buzz Center (varies depending on the unit)

Following the Green Group:Objective: Review of Word FamiliesCenter Activity: Group Practice Center

Following the Green Group:Objective: Review of Word FamiliesCenter Activity: Staple Center

Following the Green Group:Objective: Review of Word FamiliesCenter Activity: Imagine Learning

Following the Green Group:Objective: Review of Word FamiliesCenter Activity: Evidence or Assessment Center

Scoring For Centers

Buzz GradesAfter a student completes a specific objective and shows mastery through three pieces of evidence I enter their grade within Buzz.

Sticker ChartFollowing their grade on Buzz I allow my students to place a sticker on their target chart which they greatly enjoy.