Learning Centers

What are learning centers?

Learning centers are specific areas in a classroom that are designated for
student learning. There may be a teacher-led learning center, partner or
group practice, individual practice, review, as well as any other stations the
teacher feels appropriate. The teacher decides what activity each station
will do and changes activities daily. Learning centers include manipulatives,
books, art, worksheets, experiments, and many other instructional tools that
help improve student learning and comprehension (Learning Centers, 2013).
In learning centers, students strengthen their decision making, learn to
interact with other students, and work together to reach a common goal.
Learning centers teach students skills such as: time management, selfmonitoring, responsibility, and accountability.

Why are learning centers good to use in a

classroom?
Students who are taught using the learning center instructional strategy are
given multiple chances to practice and fully grasp what is taught (A New
Approach, 2014). The teacher gives detailed instructions as to what is
expected at each station and students must follow these instructions in
order to complete the given tasks.
Teachers usually plan for stations to involve activities for kinesthetic,
auditory, and visual learners. For kinesthetic learners, the teacher will plan
for at least one learning center to be hands on and very involving, and so on
for all three types of learners. Learning centers serve a purpose to engage

students in the lessons, have students work at their own pace, and grasp a
deeper understanding of topics. Most teachers try to incorporate three
different types of learning centers in their classroom: enrichment centers,
skill centers, and interest and exploratory centers (Learning Centers, 2013).

When to use a learning center in your classroom?

Learning centers can be used in any subject, but are most often used during
math, science, and language arts (Learning Centers, 2013). Teachers use
creativity to decide what students will do at each learning center and
students will be assigned to groups that will rotate through each station.
Some of the activities at the stations will include independent practice,
some will include partner work, while others will include working as a group to
complete an activity. Often, teachers will lead one station to teach or
reteach a lesson to the smaller groups. Students may ask more questions and
get more direct help in this type of setting. Group sizes will vary depending
on the number of students in the class, but generally each group will have
the about the same number of students. A certain amount of time will be
given to groups at each station and the students will complete their tasks at
each station within the given amount of time. Rotations will continue until all
students have completed each station.
The following links direct you to a few websites with learning center ideas
that other teachers have used:
https://childincorg.presencehost.net/file_download/7ff7ea90-78d3-432f-85645a6018c3ae4c
http://www.pinterest.com/heidisongs/learning-center-activities/
http://resources-for-differentiation.wikispaces.com/Learning+Centers
http://www.teachingheart.net/LC.htm

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References
A New Approach to Learning Centers | Scholastic.com. (2014, January
1). Retrieved November 16, 2014, from
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/new-approach-learningcenters
Learning Centers. (2013, October 1). Retrieved November 16, 2014,
from https://www.teachervision.com/learning-center/newteacher/48462.html

Organizing Classroom Learning Centers [YouTube Video]. (2011). USA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIa0vHdChN8
SDAIE Strategy: Learning Centers [YouTube Video]. (2014). USA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnDwbPj1itE