Let's face it, no matter what their cognitive level is, it is important to have age appropriate tasks. The big thing for my classroom is INDEPENDENCE, INDEPENDENCE, INDEPENDENCE!! If students do not leave my classroom being independent in all aspects of the school day I have not done my job. They do still need a lot of help academically but...they are able to move from center to center, get out the needed materials and get started on the task.
The big thing I do that makes it more age appropriate is how students get from center to center. Instead of a giant center rotation chart I created these individual rotation charts. I have students that come in at different times. That is why you see the cards starting at different numbers.
Here are a few center activities I do in my classroom. These activities focus on the basic/primary skills my students need but have been adapted to fit my upper elementary classroom. I apologize for the lack of pictures :(.
READING
-Independent reading with individual self selected book boxes
-Technology Reading (Raz-Kids, Lexia)
WRITING
- Sentence fill ins
-Typing
-Daily Leveled Work
-Writing using Expanding Expression Tool Companion
-Daily writing journal (this is not complete....coming soon :))
MATH
-For this center I don't really have activities. What I have the students do is a worksheet that goes along with the lesson I taught that day.
IEP Tubs
-These hold activities that match students individual IEP goals and objectives. I print off a snap shot of their goals and a data sheet to make it easy. I change them out as needed.
What centers do you do?
Thanks for this post! I am so glad I found your blog! I am also a resource teacher for 4th and 5th graders. My students are functioning on a 1st grade level on average, too. I started my job last September, 5 weeks into the school year because the previous teacher resigned. I learned a lot last year, but I want to make some changes for this coming year. I want to try a more student-directed approach, and centers would be great. I am going to look around your blog for more inspiration! :-)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new position. I LOVE teaching 4th and 5th grade. I don't have a ton on my blog but be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram (Search The Resource Teacher). Also feel free to PM or email me (theresourceteach@gmail.com) anytime. I would love to help. I have a lot of new ideas for this year and I cannot wait to get into my classroom and get started (we don't start until after Labor Day).
DeleteI also teach 4th and 5th graders in a multiple handicapped/medically fragile classroom. This post is exactly what I've been trying to figure out how to run. Do you do much for group lessons?
ReplyDeleteI didn't do a lot of group work with my higher functioning students last year because they were all over the board in terms of abilities. However, I do daily group work with my students with significant disabilities. Here is a blog post about how I incorporte literacy with students with significant disabilities (a group lesson). http://theresourceteach.blogspot.com/2015/12/emergent-literacy-for-students-with.html?m=1
DeleteAlso, do you have any students who can not physically write or are emergent readers? I'm trying to figure out how to build more independence/appropriate center activities for students who cannot do typical pen and pencil work (can't type either).
ReplyDeleteYes yes yes!!! Check out this post!! It may seem impossible but if you stick with it the progress is amazing. I too have students I do this with who had never picked up a pencil! http://theresourceteach.blogspot.com/2015/12/emergent-literacy-for-students-with.html?m=1
DeleteLove all your organization and thoroughness of teaching skills. Could you share what you do for a spelling program? Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I have done a few things with spelling, most of the time I try to use what best meets my students needs. The past few years I have just focused on sight words. I have also used Unique Learning System (the intermediate and under levels included spelling) and Words their Way. This year I am going to try this spelling resource from my dear friend Traci over at The Bender Bunch. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spelling-for-the-Year-A-36-week-Phonetic-based-Program-2602098
DeleteI love all these ideas. I teach 6-8 graders with significant cognitive delays. I really like how you designed these centers for greater independence! Some centers I have incorporated in my class, are functional life skills, ie. laundry sort and fold, reading recipes and supermarket flyers, etc. My higher level students are able to do independently, but the others do need assistance. Thank you for all your ideas!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think the centers you have are great!!! I have a "life skills" portion of my daily so we do those there. However, this year my schedule is a little more hectic and I might steal your idea of incorporating those into regular centers. Good Luck with the year!!!
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