An exciting change has happened in the Computer Lab! Grades 1–4 have been learning in Centers during Computer lessons. I can’t even begin to describe how excited we all are with this change. Reasons for moving to Centers (rather than “whole-group” instruction) include:

1. Allowing for students to have more time with skills and concepts. In other words, when they finish work in one Center, they are able to return to another Center and delve deeper into practicing and reinforcing skills.
2. I can work with a small group! This really allows me time to go deeper into the lessons with students, allow for more differentiation, and allows me time to get to know the students better.

We spent one “Round” learning how to work in Centers and generating ideas to make our Centers successful. First and Second Grades have already completed the “practice session” and are now in authentic Centers and things are running more smoothly than ever before.

A normal Unit has four Centers which means it will usually take four weeks to complete the Unit. There will be times when groups will combine and the Unit will be completed sooner. There will also be times when I need to bring the whole group together for a lesson, so Centers will stop for that week, and then return the following class.

Things I am noticing:

• Students really appreciate having the extra time that Centers afford them, to return to unfinished work or skills and to have enough time to delve deeply into learning.
• Students are learning new skills more quickly and showing more competency.
• I am getting to know the students individually much better in small groups.
• Students are getting more help from each other than from me.

One Center in Grades 1 & 2 focused on demonstrating understanding of one of the Internet Safety Rules that we learned a few weeks ago. Students worked in KidPix and included one of the rules along with an accompanying drawing. They learned how to save and how to take a “Screenshot” in order to publish it on our shared “Padlet Wall.” You can see their work here: http://padlet.com/wall/weskidsinternet

Things You and Your Student Can Do at Home:

• Ask your student to explain how our Centers work.
• Ask your student what their favorite Center has been.
• Ask your student to explain the “Genius” role (I will be discussing this in detail in next week’s post).
• Ask students to show you the work the Units on the weskids.com website.