As previously discussed, the four foundational centers (Teacher Led Center, Vocabulary, Reading Together and Writer’s Craft) are appropriate for any classroom. There are additional centers that we can use for different subject areas. In this blog post, we are going to focus on centers for mathematics and science classrooms.
I often recommend centers that focus opportunities for students to apply mathematical skills and ample practice. Using the Eight Standards for Mathematical Practice, these are additional centers for mathematics:
In this center, students are given complex problems in which they need to apply mathematical skills, theorems, models and postulates for different contexts.
Give students activities in which they are practicing newly introduced concepts as well as previously presented content. Students need ample practice time in order to develop mathematical skills and reinforce number sense.
Provide real world problems that students can solve using recently acquired skills.
Provide students with real world contexts or math history for this additional reading center.
Developing keen observation skills is a foundational skill for science students. Provide opportunities for students to observe and examine science phenomena in this center.
Here students can learn and develop greater proficiency in lab technique. They can learn more about microscopes, different lab equipment, preparing slides and so on.
Students need opportunities to discuss ideas. Students who discuss and speak more in class are learning more!
Students can view online science resources from sites like NASA, Scientific America, or the Discovery Channel. A key component of science instruction is teaching students how to observe accurately and draw conclusion from their observations. This center allows students to continue to hone this important skill.
Learning and Literacy centers are an instructional model that provides an intersection for learning skills and content knowledge development. As I implement this model in classrooms all over the United States, many content area teachers report that they are pleasantly surprised that they can cover more content in less time. I also observe that students are happy, engaged and doing challenging work.
For more tips and additional resources and information about using centers in the mathematics and science classroom, see the accompanying Ebook.
English, L. D., & Kirshner, D. (Eds.). (2015). Handbook of international research in mathematics education. Routledge.
National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (2010), Council of Chief State School Officers Title: Mathematics. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington D.C.
McKnight, Katherine S. (2014). Common Core Literacy for Math, Science, and Technical Subjects: Strategies to Deepen Content Knowledge (grades 6-12), San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
Talbot-Smith, M., Abell, S. K., Appleton, K., & Hanuscin, D. L. (Eds.). (2013). Handbook of research on science education. Routledge.
Workosky, C., & Willard, T. Next Generation Science Standards.