Two weeks ago I spent a weekend creating centers in the classroom. Centers, especially those promoting creativity, provide important experience for early elementary students. As the school was originally set up for upper elementary students, there were only three main areas: my desk and the 'Agent Table', the Agents' desks, and what we dubbed the 'Meeting Carpet'. None of these were particularly creative. I hadn't intended to update the classroom yet, but Little Treasures Child Care is letting us use their table in place of the desks (which early elementary students don't typically use), and that triggered a bout of inspiration. Well, that and a somewhat precarious trip to Goodwill.
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| People looked at me like I was crazy. |
It took a lot of rearranging, reorganizing, and scratched plans, but over a two day period the classroom underwent a transformation from boring to funtastic.
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| Ta-da! |
There are now several areas in the classroom the students can visit and play in, and the overall feel of the room is more relaxed and playful. Aside from the Agents' Table and the See Miss P. Center (the table and blue chairs to the left of the photo above), we now have:
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| The new and improved Mr. E Center, where the Agents can talk to and observe our class pet. |
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| The Magnets Center, where the Agents can practice their letter sequencing and spelling words. |
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| The Sensory Center, which is still in progress; eventually there will be rice and sand and things of other textures for the Agents to explore. |
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| The Pocket Chart Center, which helps students with their phonemic/phonological awareness and word recognition. |
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| The Calendar Center, where the Agents practice their calendar knowledge and basic math skills such as sequencing numbers, telling time, and recording the temperature in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. |
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| And the pièce de résistance, the Dramatic Play Center, where students can hone their social skills and imaginations. |
I'm particularly pleased with how the Dramatic Play Center is developing, because it really gives the classroom that creative feeling. Among all the renovations, this is what took the longest; there were a lot of components to put together, and it still isn't complete. Just this week we added costumes, which the Agents modeled upon discovery.
The classroom is really coming together, and the Agents and I are super pleased with the changes so far. It's definitely helped our workboxes move smoother, as the centers give the Agents extra incentive to finish their work sans goofing off, and it's brought more life into the day. I'll keep you updated as the room continues to evolve and grow. Come back Sunday (with fingers crossed) to read about the week and what we've been up to!
God bless,
Mia
