Learning Centers in First Grade by Kathy Kalmar
Can Learning Centers be used in First Grade?
Not only can centers be used with First Grade they should be used therein. Now, more than ever due to pressures and constraints on the curriculum with No Child Left Behind, child-friendly instruction is more important than ever. Children still have the same needs they’ve had before these academic mandates affected programming. They still are active learners who need to move, touch, feel and use their five senses to learn. Centers meet those needs. Children need manipulatives and concrete first-hand experiences which centers provide thus meeting the ways children learn efficiently. Moreover, some teacher time may be freed up to assess and perhaps observe while children are actively engaged in meaningful, mindful well- planned Centers. Teachers can conduct Guided reading then and do Running Records to assess children’s progress.
Is there a place in First Grade for a Dramatic Play Center?
Yes, dramatic play and literacy have been long linked within the research (Owocki, G. 1999; Bergen, D. & Maurer, D.2000, Berk, 1994). Social dramatic play includes oral language, vocabulary building, expository talking, negotiating as well as opportunity to use developing literacy skills as writing and reading materials easily included and provided within the center lend themselves to dramatic play themes. It involves a way to integrate the curriculum while using theme, props, roles, language, math, problem solving, transformation of objects, symbolic representation and opportunities to use higher level, critical thinking skills. Why limit this to First Grade or even Third Grade. The arts should influence each age and stage.
What about First Grade and an Art Center?
All early childhood classrooms up, including and beyond third grade can benefit from access to art materials and experiences. Very definitely, children need access to open ended art materials to use to represent and reflect their thinking, facilitate reading and develop writing skills. What children lack in words, they can express in art. Art allows them to represent what they know in ways that are often more informative than we might suspect. In addition, children can use art materials to retell stories, create stories and narratives as well as reenacting old favorites thus developing listening, speaking and comprehension skills.
What about a Sensory Table?
Oral language, conflict resolution, math and science are just a few benefits of a Sensory Table in First Grade. Children between the ages of birth through age eight learn through their five senses, by doing and manipulating objects, which the sensory table provides. A variety of materials should be alternated. Using, rice, bird seed, water, snow, ice, potting soil, sod, packing popcorn all provide opportunities to explore, manipulate, experience and learn in the manner that is most developmentally appropriate.
Can Learning Centers (in 1st grade) be used for more than just “something to do when you are done with your work”?
Yes, learning centers can provide concrete, first- hand experiences, hands-on, sensorial opportunities that teach academics in a developmentally appropriate manner. Children can learn at math and science centers, writing and literacy centers. They can reflect and represent what they know at the Art Center. These centers can and should be what they do daily as they learn in these content areas. Play should be included too as part of a well-balanced early childhood program regardless of grade level (Sponseller, 1988) |
