Literacy Centers

Literacy Centers are stations or areas in the classroom where literacy activities are set up for use By Michelle S. Gates

Within my classroom, I plan to have seven literacy centers

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Mad for Music

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Wild and Wacky Science

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Letters from You!

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Look, Think, Write

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Books & Baskets

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Fun Numbers

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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

Bookcase Door to Hall Student Storage Cubicles Four extra desks & pencil sharpener Closet with coat hooks & 3 shelves Blackboard with Corkboards on sides Cart with T.V., DVR, VCR Bookcase

Math

Supply Shelf Student File Stacking trays for papers Curriculum Hanging Files Sink Student Desk N Supply Closet Counter with underneath storage Small groups table Trashcan Pencil sharpener Teacher’s Desk Student Work Stations Flip Chart Overhead Cart & Elmo Cart Extra Desks with baskets of reading books on them, Tape player: Blackboard and Corkboards on sides, Projection screen Cabinet with large drawers for storing charts & bulletin board information, File Cabinet & Trashcan Window Table with three computers

Each center will have a unique sign

“Rules for Fun Centers” will be posted in the classroom

Rules for all “Fun Centers”

1. Place contract in left side of center folder 2. Take turns 3. Work quietly 4. Stay in your center 5. If you do not understand something, ask 3 classmates before asking the teacher 6. Carefully complete all assigned projects 7. Fill out your contract 8. Clean up the center 9. Return folder in holder

Student’s names will rotate on a pocket chart on the wall

Books & Baskets Pictures on the chart will match center signs Children will be grouped according to levels

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

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 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 •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

Each center will have individual rules

Mad for Music Center Rules

1. Place contract in left side of center folder 2. Take turns reading pages in the book(s) 3. Plug in headsets before watching or listening to videos or music 4. Carefully complete all assigned projects 5. Fill out your contract 6. Clean up the center

Each center will have a contract

Contract Notes _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ Student ____________________ Grade ____

Each center will have a “things to do” list

Things To Do In order  Read the book “Who Was Louis Armstrong?”  Come Marching In” video…you may dance or march “nicely” in your center  Open the Louis Armstrong folder on desktop and watch “When the Saints 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 Student ________________________________

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=wyLjbM BpGDA&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

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 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

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...

Open the Louis Armstrong folder on desktop and watch “What a Wonderful World” video on desktop and check your answers on the semantics worksheet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnRqYM TpXHc&feature=related Louis Armstrong

Complete the “Louis Armstrong” word search

“Louis Armstrong”

Name __________________________ I D O D N A B P S W Z A R C C J Y E R S O L A T B G E H S 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 C N Z O R G N A I A M W O R A E L T S R E I R S U S R D G M Y R K U W C B S R P T I O U 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 N T O A H B L U E O F E R S S S C B C I E M C R F R A I X N H J G R A M M Y U S V I D I 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 Ambassador Armstrong Band Band Celebrity Cheeks Coal Cornet Grammy Gruff instrument Jazz Louis New Orleans Newspapers Poverty Recordings Satchmo Singer Swing Chicago Musician Trumpet

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

Reflection

After 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