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Kindergarten Learning Centers

January 13, 2020 misskindergarten Leave a Comment

Kindergarten learning centers are one of my favorite components in my classroom. Math and literacy centers have and always will be an essential part of my kindergarten classroom because I know how important hands-on learning is with five and six-year-olds. Sometimes I think we are so inundated with what we need to teach them that we forget how they need to learn! The benefits of using math and literacy centers are not just for the students, but you the teacher, as well. Once you get the hang of incorporating centers into your classroom, you will see how smoothly they can run!

Getting Started with Centers

The hardest part about introducing centers in your classroom, or any new classroom activity for that matter, is figuring out how to manage it all. The benefits of center time in your classroom is amazing, but can be a little intimidating at first. Here are a few things to think about before getting started:

  • How many students do you want in each center? I personally like to have 2 students per center to they can help each other. If you have a large group of students, try 4 per center and provide 2 copies of the activity your students are working on.
  • How long should each center be? The shorter, the better. Give your students enough time to get through an activity, but remember they will be working independently so we don’t want them to lose interest after too much time. I run my centers 12-15 minutes and clean up time is included in each rotation.
  • How many centers should I have going at once? Depending on how many students you have, you can decide how many centers you need to keep the rotations running smoothly. You can read about the literacy centers I use in this post.
  • How do my students know which center to go to? This is completely up to you since you know your class best. You can decide whether you want your students to choose their center each day or not. I personally like to have more structure when sending my students to centers. We use a pocket chart with a number to corresponds to each center and the students pictures next to each number. When it’s time to rotate, I just move the numbers down and my students know where to go next.
  • What should the teacher be doing during centers? When you first introduce centers, I suggest not having anything else do to. This is a great time to walk around and make sure your students understand how centers work and be available to help them when needed. After a few weeks, this is the perfect time to pull small groups for extra help. You can have the teacher table listed as another number so your students know when it’s time to go to you, or you can pull students from centers as you see fit.

Setting up learning centers can be a lot of work and definitely take some creativity and planning. With everything else on your plate, it can be hard to muster up those creative juices, but don’t get discouraged! It can take several years to get your centers where you want them to be, and know that you can switch things up anytime you see that it’s not working anymore. A good way to start is by prepping a few centers each month and soon your collection will grow.

Why are Kindergarten Learning Centers Important? 

I’ve already mentioned how much I love using centers in my room, so I wanted to share why I think they are so important!  

  • Learning centers give kindergarteners a sense of satisfaction. They are presented with a task, they follow the steps to complete the task. They are able to take the activity from start to finish and complete it.  
  • Kindergarten learning centers provide children with confidence. The activities you place in the learning centers are math and literacy concepts that have been previously taught. Your students are able to complete the centers independently and you can watch their confidence soar!
  • Learning centers teach children to be independent. Little learners can become dependent on teacher assistance. Centers allow students an appropriate level of challenge so they can work independently to reach a solution.
  • In addition to promoting independence, learning centers gives the teacher time to work with small groups and give extra attention to students in a smaller capacity. With the large numbers of students in our classrooms, any small group instruction you can provide is gold!

Tips for Creating Great Learning Centers 

One of the hardest things about setting up learning centers is finding appropriate, engaging centers that allow your students to work independently, stay on task, and stay engaged. The last thing we need is our students to be wasting their time not able to complete the center, or not learning anything from it. Here are some tips to remember when creating centers:

  • Learning centers need to be changed often to keep your students engaged and on task. The skills can stay the same, but the presentation should be changed. Your students can practice sight words all year long, but they will get bored using the same sight word center all year long.
  • Play-based learning is always going to work best! Building words with blocks, dramatic play, using tweezers, etc.
  • Make sure the activities you provide are differentiated and the appropriate level for your students.
  • Use fun and engaging colors and clip art when possible.
  • Keep the activities short so your students can complete a center in the time frame allotted. I find keeping centers at 12-15 minutes works best.

Centers for Your Classroom 

Over the years, I have created several math and literacy centers for my students to use throughout the year. They are themed to keep engagement up and usually follow whatever concept we are learning that month. This is also a great way to integrate your science and social studies standards into your math and literacy blocks!

You can find these ready to go Math and Literacy Kindergarten Centers in my shop. They will help get you through the year without having to stress over planning what you’ll do for centers each month. They are also aligned with common core standards and differentiated for student abilities so you know your students will get the most out of their center time.  

I created these centers to be play-based since I know that’s how kindergartners learn best. Just remember to include the centers that can be done independently. The concepts should be a review, not new learning.

The only extra supplies you will need are things that are already in your classroom (blocks, dice, tiny manipulatives, play-doh, etc.) These Math and Literacy Centers are not just a time-saver for you, they’re packed with activities that kindergarten learners will truly enjoy.  

Click Here to Preview My Themed Math and Literacy Kindergarten Centers

Each month includes about 10 centers which breaks down to just $1 a center! If you’re interested in the entire bundle, you will get an additional 25% off. Check out each month here!

Click Here to Preview My Anytime Math and Literacy Kindergarten Centers

This bundle is a compilation of my favorite learning themes (construction, weather, community helpers, space, etc.) that can be used ANY TIME of the year!

Math Centers, Literacy Centers, Classroom Setup, Centers

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Sight Word Practice

Want your students to practice reading sight words and improve their reading fluency? Use with these teacher-tested and student-approved activities. Sign up to join my email list below, and have this sight word practice sent straight to your inbox for FREE!

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Welcome to Miss Kindergarten, my kindergarten blog. I’m so happy you’re here! If you are looking for hands-on, engaging kindergarten activities, you came to the right place! I’m here to save you time by sharing engaging kindergarten teacher resources, and hopefully spark some ideas for your own kindergarten lesson plans!

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Jan 23

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This is the absolute coolest center idea from @mis This is the absolute coolest center idea from @missingtoothgrins! Build the word with magnet letters and the word shows up when you take the letters away! I think my favorite part is that her 3 year old thought of this idea 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 #kidsaresosmart #saturdayteachershare

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Jan 22

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🎉FREE🎉 Reading fluency passages! These are g 🎉FREE🎉 Reading fluency passages! These are great for giving your students practice reading short vowels, long vowels, or blends & digraphs in context. This freebie includes 9 fluency passages you can use in reading groups or send home if needed. You can read about how we use them and grab the free download on my blog!

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Jan 21

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💝These February math & literacy centers make le 💝These February math & literacy centers make learning fun! If you’re able to use hands-on centers in your classroom, or working with your kindergartener at home, these engaging centers are great to incorporate into their learning. It includes middle sound sorts, building & writing CVC words, addition, subtraction, and more! Today is the last day to grab the February Activity Bundle for over 50% off! Find the link in my profile 🎉

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Jan 20

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CVC words, addition, subtraction, oh my! In loooov CVC words, addition, subtraction, oh my! In loooove with all the Boom Cards for February! You can grab these in my February Activity Bundle (half off through tomorrow!) or in my Monthly Boom Card Bundle. I linked them both in my profile! Which Boom Deck is your favorite!? 💖💖💖

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Jan 18

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I’m working really hard to learn as much as I ca I’m working really hard to learn as much as I can about discrimination and racism and how to help teach my own daughters and my students how to continue making a change and moving in the right direction. I’m still learning. I make mistakes, and I learn more and more every single day. @misselgendy shared this post from @halpey1 and it really resonated with me. I thought it showed a great way to get your students involved in how they can help, not just on MLK day, or during Black History Month, but every day. Sometimes as a teacher and as an “influencer”, I feel pressured to do and say things that I’m not 100% confident with, but I’m learning. Just like I tell my students, continue to learn and continue to try your best. ❤️❤️❤️

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💗The February Activity Bundle is here! How is i 💗The February Activity Bundle is here! How is is already time to plan for February!? The bundle is full of hands-on, engaging activities you can use virtually or in the classroom!
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Plus a BONUS Number Journal for numbers 0-20!
You can grab the entire bundle for just $15 through Wednesday! Click the link in my profile to check it out.

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Jan 16

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I’m always down for a good swat activity 🤣 Th I’m always down for a good swat activity 🤣 This snowflake swat resource from @rainbows.and.reading is perfect! Call out a letter and have your students swat it with a fly swatter! Dollar tree always has fun fly swatter options! 🐝

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Jan 15

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Do your students need a quick number formation ref Do your students need a quick number formation refresher? This freebie includes rhymes for each number, and an editable page in case you need to add your own! You can also send these home as a reference with your kiddos! Find the link for this free download in my profile!
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