The "how-to" and "why" of classroom centers--everything a teacher needs to know about planning, creating, managing, and developing meaningful center activities. Detailed plans for 24 classroom centers for every reason and every season. More than 200 activities and ideas included.
The purpose of this book is to support, encourage, and validate all teachers, no matter where you are in the process of using centers. If you are just beginning to use centers, you may want to keep this book close at hand to use as a guide. If you have been using centers on a limited basis, you may want to use this book as a reference to take that next step. If you are an "old timer," this book will validate what you have already been doing as well as give you many great new ideas that can make your life a little easier.
What is a center?
A center can mean different things to different people. Ideally, a center is an area of the classroom where a variety of hands-on materials and meaningful activities are available for children to choose. Since classroom space is often at a premium, a center can also be a desktop, a tub, or even a sack of materials. The main thing to remember is that centers should provide opportunities for children to be actively involved in learning and making choices in a variety of ways.
