Literacy Centers

A well planned literacy center is an essential component to every great classroom.  It provides students with opportunities to engage in reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities and provides an extension for what the students are learning during class time. 
A literacy center allows for students to practice concepts learned in class, both independently and in small groups in order to fine tune their skills.  The following image from Kindercraze is an example of a well designed and decorated classroom library that I would love to have as a part of my classroom literacy center.  It provides a great space for children to read or listen to others reading.  This space is warm and cozy and very inviting to children. 

(http://kindercraze.com/2013/11/a-tiny-little-classroom-update/)

Not only does this area have plenty of storage along the wall but it also has built in storage underneath the seating area as shown below.

(http://kindercraze.com/2013/11/a-tiny-little-classroom-update/)

In addition to this fantastic classroom library or "literacy retreat," as I like to call it, I would provide my students with a variety of books and other literacy tools to practice reading and writing and to increase their vocabulary and comprehension skills.  In order for students to more fully develop their literacy skills, I would include alphabet knowledge materials, games and puzzles, phonics materials, pocket charts and stands, and sight words.  I want to create a fun and comfortable way for students to expand on their prior learning and knowledge.

        

(https://www.kaplanco.com/ii/preschool-literacy-learning-center)

The following is an example of some of the activities that I would include in my literacy center pertaining to Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

Reading:

First, I will start the week long unit by reading the story aloud to the whole class.  We will discuss any confusing or new vocabulary at that time.

(http://blogs.iwu.edu/edu320spring14clrb/2014/02/12/chicka-chicka-boom-boom/)

                                                        

Listening:

Students will listen to the story Chicka Chicka Boom Boom using dvd player and headset.  They will follow along in the book as the story is being told. 

(http://home.comcast.net/~teacherprehfs/chicka/chicka%20chicka%20boom.htm)

                                         


Writing:

For writing, students will play "roll a letter" game and write it down in order to practice the correct formation of letters.  They will then follow a writing prompt and draw and write about other things that like to climb trees.

(http://littlekinderwarriors.blogspot.com/2011/09/chicka-chicka-math-and-literacy-centers.html)

                                     


Speaking:

The students will be provided with props to retell the story to their partner.

                            

(http://littlekinderwarriors.blogspot.com/2011/09/chicka-chicka-math-and-literacy-centers.html)

                                        
Common Core Standards: 


CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.1
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.2
With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.1
Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.1.a
Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.6
Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.2
Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic.

References:

http://home.comcast.net/~teacherprehfs/chicka/chicka%20chicka%20boom.htm

http://littlekinderwarriors.blogspot.com/2011/09/chicka-chicka-math-and-literacy-centers.html

https://www.kaplanco.com/ii/preschool-literacy-learning-center

http://kindercraze.com/2013/11/a-tiny-little-classroom-update/