Reading Center  |  Listening Center

 Reading Center

Also known as the Library, this is where students can enjoy reading a book or listening to story being read.  The reading center should have a varied selection of books on multiple levels to accomodate the reading levels and interests of the students in your class. Also, if possible, provide comfortable reading areas with rugs, pillows, chairs, or whatever else you can get your hands on.  Here are other ideas on utilizing the Reading Center:

Student Made Books: Students can create books individually, in groups, or as a whole class.  Also, display books created by previous classes.  

Reading Buddies: Use stuffed animals as reading partners. Students choose a "partner" to whom they can read to. This is particularly effective for shy or insecure students.

Book Reviews: Display "Books of the Month" or "Books of the Week" which all students are required to read. Students then use a form to write a summary and a review of the book(s) they have completed.  The reviews can be discussed among the class (when all students have completed their reviews) and the class can make a graph on likes, dislikes, favorite book, favorite character, etc.

Recommendation Chart: Create a chart to post in the reading center. Have students recommend books they have read by writing the title and author.

Weekly Reader/Scholastic News Center: Does your class receive Weekly Readers, Scholastic News, or any other magazine? What do you do with the extras? You can create a center with the extra magazines. Place 1 or 2 issues in a container. Create questions or activities for each issue for students to work on.

 Listening Center

If you have a listening center, then lucky you! If you don't, here is what you can do to create one.  Use an old radio or cassette player (you can find them in flea markets, garage sales, or from colleagues, friends, relatives, etc.) Buy headphones at the 99 cents stores or use old ones.  That is how I was able to create a decent listening center (I'm hoping to get a real one this fall from my school!!)

Here are some ideas for the Listening Center:

Books on Cassettes: If your school already hasn't supplied you with these, you can order them from the Scholastic Book Club (using your points). Some can be bought at wholesale places (like Costco, BJs, etc.) or when they are on sale at K-Mart and Toys R Us. People have donated some to me when their children have outgrown them. The books and cassettes are stored in large two gallon zip-lock bags.

Create your own cassettes: You or an adult can create your own books on cassettes by recording a reading of a book on tape.

Student Created Cassettes: Choose a few students and have them practice reading a book. Once they have perfected their reading, they can record it on tape to add to your growing collection.  Also, you can choose older students from other grades to do the same.

Basal Readers: If you don't already have them, create cassettes for the stories in your basal readers. This will help the slower readers practice fluency and comprehension.