Literacy Centers are stations or areas in

the classroom where literacy

activities are set up for use

By Michelle S. Gates

Literacy Centers

Within my classroom, I plan to have seven

literacy centers•Mad for Music•Wild and Wacky Science

•Letters from You!

•Look, Think, Write

•Books & Baskets

•Fun Numbers•Yesteryears!

Centers will take place daily during small group

time

Centers will be arranged around the perimeter of the room but in view of the small groups table

Stacking trays for papers

Student File Sink

Door to Hall

Bookcase

Window

Closet with coat hooks & 3 shelves

Supply Closet

Counter with underneath storage

Curriculum Hanging Files

File Cabinet & Trashcan

Teacher’s Desk

Student Desk

Student Work Stations

Student Storage Cubicles

Four extra desks & pencil

sharpener

Flip Chart

Bookcase

Cabinet with large drawers for storing charts & bulletin board information,

Blackboard with

Corkboards on sides

Extra Desks with baskets of reading books on them, Tape player:

Blackboard and Corkboards on sides, Projection screen

Table with three computers

Overhead Cart & Elmo Cart Math

Supply Shelf

Trashcan

Small groups table

Pencil sharpener

Cart with T.V., DVR, VCR

N

Each center will have a unique sign

Books & Baskets

Mad for Music

Wild & Wacky Science

“Rules for Fun Centers” will be posted in the

classroomRules for all “Fun Centers”

1. Place contract in left side of center folder2. Take turns3. Work quietly4. Stay in your center5. If you do not understand something, ask 3

classmates before asking the teacher6. Carefully complete all assigned projects 7. Fill out your contract8. Clean up the center 9. Return folder in holder

Student’s names will rotate on a pocket chart

on the wall

Pictures on the chart will match center signs

Children will be grouped according to levels

Books & Baskets

Each student will have a “Center Folder” kept in a

central location

Tasha’sCenter Folder

Louis Armstrong

lesson designed

for “Mad for Music”

Literacy Center

Objectives of “Louis Armstrong” Mad for Music

Literacy Centers• The student will study & observe a topic they are unfamiliar

with and apply new knowledge through responding & writing

• The student will read fiction and nonfiction with fluency and accuracy• Use context to clarify meanings of unfamiliar words• Use context to identify semantics and syntax

• The student will write effective explanations• Focus on one aspect of a topic• Develop a plan for writing• Organize writing to convey a central idea

• The student will practice spelling through identifying proper order of alphabet in words

• The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fiction & non-fiction• Identify major events and supporting details• Make simple inferences, using information from

texts• Draw conclusions, using information from texts• Identify new information gained from reading

Each center will have individual rules

Mad for Music Center Rules

1. Place contract in left side of center folder2. Take turns reading pages in the book(s)3. Plug in headsets before watching or

listening to videos or music4. Carefully complete all assigned projects 5. Fill out your contract6. Clean up the center

Each center will have a contractContract

Student ____________________ Grade ____

Notes

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Each center will have a “things to do” list

Things To Do In order

Student ________________________________

Read the book “Who Was Louis Armstrong?” Open the Louis Armstrong folder on desktop and watch “When the Saints

Come Marching In” video…you may dance or march “nicely” in your center Complete Reading and Responding packet Complete “Louis Armstrong semantics” worksheet Watch and listen to “What a Wonderful World” video on desktop and check

answers to semantics worksheet Complete “Louis Armstrong” word search

Read the book“Who Was Louis

Armstrong”Louis Armstrong is one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, and this book tells his amazing story. Armstrong grew up in a tough section of New Orleans. At a young age, he got into trouble and was sent to a boy’s home. There, he discovered his love for music. From then on, Louis worked to make a name for himself as both a musician and a songwriter. With his talent and music, he was able to break down color barriers and bring joy to millions. John O’Brien’s illustrations give the reader visuals to accompany the story. The book also includes interesting facts that help explain some of the topics that the narrator discusses, such as details on the history of jazz, the Great Migration, and some basic jazz terminology.

Open the Louis Armstrong folder on desktop and watch “When the Saints Come Marching In”

video

Louis Armstrong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLjbMBpGDA&feature=related

Children are instructed that they may march or dance nicely in their center area

Complete Reading and Responding packet

The Reading and Responding packet includes:

• A short article with comprehension questions• Choosing the main purpose • Vocabulary • Written response to a prompt

Example“Armstrong played jazz on the trumpet and sang in his unique gruff voice.” The definition of unique is

A. unpleasant B. soft C. boring D. unusual

Complete Louis Armstrong semantics worksheetBASI C ENGLI SH : MODULE A

Symantics Worksheet

Directions-Read the words to Louis Armstrong’s song and predict or “guess”

which the word best completes the verse. Write the word in the blank.

LOUIS ARMSTRONG

The whole world knows his name. Who could forget the sweet sound of his trumpet, the granular grace of his voice, the

brightness of his smile? Louis Armstrong, is one of greatest jazz giants of the 20th century.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

I see trees of____________ ______________ roses too I see them ______________

for me and you And I______________ to myself

... what a ______________________ world

I see skies of ________________ and clouds of _________________

the __________________ blessed day the ________________ sacred night

And I think to myself ... what a wonderful ________________

The _____________ of the rainbow so___________________ in the sky

Are also on the faces of people going by

I see __________________ shaking hands saying, "How _________ you do?"

They're really saying ... "I ________________ you"

I hear ____________________ crying

I __________________ them grow They'll learn much more

than I'll ever__________________ And I think to myself

... ______________ a wonderful world Yes, I think to myself

... what a wonderful world

Oh yeah...

Choose the words from this box BABIES BLOOM BLUE BRIGHT COLORS DARK DO FRIENDS GREEN KNOW LOVE PRETTY RED THINK WATCH WHAT WHITE WONDERFUL WORLD

Open the Louis Armstrong folder on desktop and watch“What a Wonderful World”

video on desktop and check your answers on the semantics

worksheetLouis

Armstrong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnRqYMTpXHc&feature=related

Complete the “Louis Armstrong” word search

Coal New Orleans

Ambassador Cornet Newspaper

s

Armstrong Grammy Poverty

Band Gruff Recordings

Band instrument Satchmo

Celebrity Jazz Singer

Cheeks Louis Swing

Chicago Musician Trumpet

I  D  O  D  N  A  B  P  S  W  Z  A  R  CC  J  Y  E  R  S  O  L  A  T  B  G  E  HS  A  A  I  I  V  B  Y  M  E  N  G  C  I

T  Z  M  U  E  T  N  T  B  P  E  N  O  CN  Z  O  R  G  N  A  I  A  M  W  O  R  AE  L  T  S  R  E  I  R  S  U  S  R  D  GM  Y  R  K  U  W  C  B  S  R  P  T  I  OU  L  D  E  F  O  I  E  A  T  A  S  N  P

R  A  N  E  F  R  S  L  D  W  P  M  G  NT  O  A  H  B  L  U  E  O  F  E  R  S  SS  C  B  C  I  E  M  C  R  F  R  A  I  XN  H  J  G  R  A  M  M  Y  U  S  V  I  DI  G  R  E  G  N  I  S  C  O  R  N  E  T

S  W  I  N  G  S  O  M  H  C  T  A  S  Q

“Louis Armstrong” Name __________________________

Assessment• Students will self-assess by circling blocks on rubric and making notes on back of rubric if desired

• The teacher will collect contracts, lists and work from folders and place in a student collection folder. Teacher will return with input in notes area and a grade reflective of rubric guidelines and self assessment within three days

• One weekly grade will be given based on an average of the weeks literacy center grades

A

ReflectionAfter completing my presentation, I reflected and realized I needed to add more information about assessment. I decided to include student self-assessment because I feel that if they have some input on their grading, they will be more diligent in their work. I also added a time frame of when work would be returned. I feel it is important to quickly return work to students with input so that they are aware of their strengths and weaknesses

I wanted to add an activity that made music but could not find a free website. I could not include actual musical instruments in the center because of noisiness and/or sanitary issues

I feel that students will enjoy & learn from the centers which I will change if I feel it is necessary