Direct Instruction vs. Centers in 1st Grade

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Primary Elementary Teachers Chatboard

Direct Instruction vs. Centers in 1st Grade

by Gracie

Mar 18, 2009

I have been in many classrooms and I have never seen centers in 1st grade. Everything is whole group or small group instruction.

What I would worry about is how much time is spent in independent activities. There isn't any learning going on in centers. At best, it is reinforcement.

There is just so much time in the day and in should be on instruction where the entire class is getting the benefit of your instruction.

During reading groups, the seatwork is reinforcing and practicing the previous lesson. Let's say you begin with a phonics lesson. Then the students go to their seats and you begin your reading groups, the traditional three. You give them their reading assignments while they are there and call the next group. And so on.

As the students finish their phonics lesson, they always have journal entries the can do that will occupy their time while they wait for their time for reading group.

During a transition between groups, you check ...See More

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Gracie to Samantha It's what you prefer. Are the centers accurately reinforcing your lessons that day? Are you getting enough grades for your gradebook to back up your grades on the report card? How are you assessment tests going? Are they showing enough progress?

If so, what ever you are doing is fine if it is meeting school standards.

On 3/18/09, ...See MoreIt's what you prefer. Are the centers accurately reinforcing your lessons that day? Are you getting enough grades for your gradebook to back up your grades on the report card? How are you assessment tests going? Are they showing enough progress?

If so, what ever you are doing is fine if it is meeting school standards.

On 3/18/09, Samantha/NC wrote: > I do centers during our guided groups-we have 2 sets of 3 > groups a day-so they are only actually doing 3 centers a day- > this time last anywhere from 45-60 minutes. ANYWAY-they are > doing spelling work (graphing words, patterning words, > stamping words, etc....), writing journals and a guided group- > that is one side of the room--the other side is a guided > group-literacy activity and reading center or computer center. > So let me ask you this-isn't "seatwork" just a reinforcement > of skills already taught? There isn't any new learning going > on during that time is there? I have done it both ways but > certainly prefer doing small group instruction using centers > > Samantha > > On 3/18/09, Gracie wrote: >> I have been in many classrooms and I have never seen >> centers in 1st grade. Everything is whole group or small >> group instruction. >> >> What I would worry about is how much time is spent in >> independent activities. There isn't any learning going on >> in centers. At best, it is reinforcement. >> >> There is just so much time in the day and in should be on >> instruction where the entire class is getting the benefit >> of your instruction. >> >> During reading groups, the seatwork is reinforcing and >> practicing the previous lesson. Let's say you begin with >> a phonics lesson. Then the students go to their seats and >> you begin your reading groups, the traditional three. You >> give them their reading assignments while they are there >> and call the next group. And so on. >> >> As the students finish their phonics lesson, they always >> have journal entries the can do that will occupy their >> time while they wait for their time for reading group. >> >> During a transition between groups, you check papers at >> their desks to see if everyone has done their best to see >> if any do-overs are necessary. Looking for and settling >> for nothing but quality. Handwriting counts! They'll soon >> expect your checks and do their best in fear of do-overs. >> >> Once this time is done, the rrestroom break is necessary >> and math begins. Still whole group. >> >> Then lunch, Then language arts, in group. Then >> handwriting, in group. Then what ever subjects you have >> and when is there time for centers?

Mar 18, 2009

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Ed about is how much time is spent in > independent activities. There isn't any learning going on > in centers. At best, it is reinforcement.

As I new teacher I used to feel that way as well. I realized that I was suffering from a bit of self-righteousness where I felt that the only learning that could take place was when I (the great, ...See More

Mar 18, 2009

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kteacher On 3/18/09, Ed wrote: > about is how much time is spent in >> independent activities. There isn't any learning going on >> in centers. At best, it is reinforcement. > > As I new teacher I used to feel that way as well. I realized > that I was suffering from a bit of self-righteousness where I > felt that the only learning...See More

Mar 19, 2009

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Samantha/NC It is what you prefer! Is the seatwork that your students are doing reinforcing your lessons? The same work that your students may be doing in their seats, I just put it in a small group of kids and call it a center! as for assessments, they are continuous and on-going no matter what type of work the students are doing--I find that I get more accom...See MoreIt is what you prefer! Is the seatwork that your students are doing reinforcing your lessons? The same work that your students may be doing in their seats, I just put it in a small group of kids and call it a center! as for assessments, they are continuous and on-going no matter what type of work the students are doing--I find that I get more accomplished in centers. You say that you have never seen centers in class-I think you should take the time to visit a classroom that has centers, and are using them correctly Samantha

On 3/18/09, Gracie to Samantha wrote: > It's what you prefer. Are the centers accurately reinforcing > your lessons that day? Are you getting enough grades for your > gradebook to back up your grades on the report card? How are you > assessment tests going? Are they showing enough progress? > > If so, what ever you are doing is fine if it is meeting school > standards. > > On 3/18/09, Samantha/NC wrote: >> I do centers during our guided groups-we have 2 sets of 3 >> groups a day-so they are only actually doing 3 centers a day- >> this time last anywhere from 45-60 minutes. ANYWAY-they are >> doing spelling work (graphing words, patterning words, >> stamping words, etc....), writing journals and a guided group- >> that is one side of the room--the other side is a guided >> group-literacy activity and reading center or computer center. >> So let me ask you this-isn't "seatwork" just a reinforcement >> of skills already taught? There isn't any new learning going >> on during that time is there? I have done it both ways but >> certainly prefer doing small group instruction using centers >> >> Samantha >> >> On 3/18/09, Gracie wrote: >>> I have been in many classrooms and I have never seen >>> centers in 1st grade. Everything is whole group or small >>> group instruction. >>> >>> What I would worry about is how much time is spent in >>> independent activities. There isn't any learning going on >>> in centers. At best, it is reinforcement. >>> >>> There is just so much time in the day and in should be on >>> instruction where the entire class is getting the benefit >>> of your instruction. >>> >>> During reading groups, the seatwork is reinforcing and >>> practicing the previous lesson. Let's say you begin with >>> a phonics lesson. Then the students go to their seats and >>> you begin your reading groups, the traditional three. You >>> give them their reading assignments while they are there >>> and call the next group. And so on. >>> >>> As the students finish their phonics lesson, they always >>> have journal entries the can do that will occupy their >>> time while they wait for their time for reading group. >>> >>> During a transition between groups, you check papers at >>> their desks to see if everyone has done their best to see >>> if any do-overs are necessary. Looking for and settling >>> for nothing but quality. Handwriting counts! They'll soon >>> expect your checks and do their best in fear of do-overs. >>> >>> Once this time is done, the rrestroom break is necessary >>> and math begins. Still whole group. >>> >>> Then lunch, Then language arts, in group. Then >>> handwriting, in group. Then what ever subjects you have >>> and when is there time for centers?

Mar 19, 2009

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Gracie to Samantha How I would love to visit classrooms. Actually, I would rather be teaching myself. But unfortunately I am on disablitity now! (Mut have been those heels!, lol)

I agree, if your seatwork is your centers and reinforcing your lessons that were presented that day, great. I get nervous when I hear "I change my centers every 3 or 4 weeks".
<...See MoreHow I would love to visit classrooms. Actually, I would rather be teaching myself. But unfortunately I am on disablitity now! (Mut have been those heels!, lol)

I agree, if your seatwork is your centers and reinforcing your lessons that were presented that day, great. I get nervous when I hear "I change my centers every 3 or 4 weeks".

And I also agree, that if I saw center in progress I may even change my mind. The bottom line is are the children getting practice and reinforcement on the lessons they had that day. And are they getting teacher lessons every day in every subject, that's all.

Sonds like you are a good teacher! ____________________________________________ On 3/19/09, Samantha/NC wrote: > It is what you prefer! Is the seatwork that your students are > doing reinforcing your lessons? The same work that your students > may be doing in their seats, I just put it in a small group of kids > and call it a center! > as for assessments, they are continuous and on-going no matter what > type of work the students are doing--I find that I get more > accomplished in centers. You say that you have never seen centers > in class-I think you should take the time to visit a classroom that > has centers, and are using them correctly > Samantha > > > > > On 3/18/09, Gracie to Samantha wrote: >> It's what you prefer. Are the centers accurately reinforcing >> your lessons that day? Are you getting enough grades for your >> gradebook to back up your grades on the report card? How are you >> assessment tests going? Are they showing enough progress? >> >> If so, what ever you are doing is fine if it is meeting school >> standards. >> >> On 3/18/09, Samantha/NC wrote: >>> I do centers during our guided groups-we have 2 sets of 3 >>> groups a day-so they are only actually doing 3 centers a day- >>> this time last anywhere from 45-60 minutes. ANYWAY-they are >>> doing spelling work (graphing words, patterning words, >>> stamping words, etc....), writing journals and a guided group- >>> that is one side of the room--the other side is a guided >>> group-literacy activity and reading center or computer center. >>> So let me ask you this-isn't "seatwork" just a reinforcement >>> of skills already taught? There isn't any new learning going >>> on during that time is there? I have done it both ways but >>> certainly prefer doing small group instruction using centers >>> >>> Samantha >>> >>> On 3/18/09, Gracie wrote: >>>> I have been in many classrooms and I have never seen >>>> centers in 1st grade. Everything is whole group or small >>>> group instruction. >>>> >>>> What I would worry about is how much time is spent in >>>> independent activities. There isn't any learning going on >>>> in centers. At best, it is reinforcement. >>>> >>>> There is just so much time in the day and in should be on >>>> instruction where the entire class is getting the benefit >>>> of your instruction. >>>> >>>> During reading groups, the seatwork is reinforcing and >>>> practicing the previous lesson. Let's say you begin with >>>> a phonics lesson. Then the students go to their seats and >>>> you begin your reading groups, the traditional three. You >>>> give them their reading assignments while they are there >>>> and call the next group. And so on. >>>> >>>> As the students finish their phonics lesson, they always >>>> have journal entries the can do that will occupy their >>>> time while they wait for their time for reading group. >>>> >>>> During a transition between groups, you check papers at >>>> their desks to see if everyone has done their best to see >>>> if any do-overs are necessary. Looking for and settling >>>> for nothing but quality. Handwriting counts! They'll soon >>>> expect your checks and do their best in fear of do-overs. >>>> >>>> Once this time is done, the rrestroom break is necessary >>>> and math begins. Still whole group. >>>> >>>> Then lunch, Then language arts, in group. Then >>>> handwriting, in group. Then what ever subjects you have >>>> and when is there time for centers?

Mar 19, 2009

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