Learning Centres
A learning centre is a space that has been created to help children learn about a specific topic or practice a specific set of skills. It is hopefully presented in a visually stimulating way, and contains interesting activities and challenges. There may be a special place to sit to do the work, or that activities may be taken to a table for use. The general philosophy of a learning centre is that the child can help his/herself to everything he/she needs to be successful at learning the topic or skill.
Activities and choices can be presented in a variety of ways. Sometimes they are simply outlined on a poster, sometimes they are on cards, or included in a booklet or handout. Instructions should be clear, so that a child can follow them with little or no support. Resources to be used can also be displayed similarly on a poster or cards, or if they are more physical in nature, simply placed on the table nearby.
At a learning centre, opportunities for exploration and experimentation can allow students to discover and understand in their own unique way and construct meaning based on their prior experience and knowledge. Children can be drawn in by a visually attractive learning cenre, and then find themselves challenged by the new explorations and ideas they find there.
At Oak and Orca, learning centres are used extensively to present ideas, and challenge students to look beyond what they already know or are interested in.