Classroom setup can dramatically affect students' attitudes toward learning and their habits of learning. Students need an environment that is organized, stimulating, and comfortable in order to learn effectively. One way a teacher can create this type of learning environment is by creating learning centers throughout his or her classroom along with instructional areas. Take the physical features of your classroom into account when planning out what type of learning centers you want to have in your classroom. As the year progresses, you can add different kinds of learning centers to fit your classes. When sitting up your learning centers you not only want to take in the physical features of your classroom. You also need to consider the age of your students, the number of students and the type of activities you want to be conducted.
Learning centers consist of multiple stations for children to rotate through. Stations may contain activities from different subjects, such as math, science and reading, or different activities related to the same topic. Using learning centers in your classroom is a fun way for students to experience hands-on learning independently or in small groups. It also opens up possibilities for you to work with small groups or individual students.
One type of learning center that is valuable for young children is a reading center. A reading center is a place for students to read independently or quietly with a partner. It should provide comfortable seating, a variety of books, and a quiet, secluded atmosphere. There will be no more than two students allowed at the reading center at a time. The students can either choose to go to the reading center to pick out a book to take back to their desk to read silently or they can stay at the center and sit in one of the seats provided. While at the
