Learning Centers, also known as learning stations, are specific areas or spots in the classroom where students work on a particular task. Each task has a specific goal. It’s a great way to have students practice the same content or skill from different perspectives. When rotating through learning centers, students work in small groups, allowing the teacher to differentiate instruction. This provides the opportunity to target students’s specific needs, interests, and learning styles. It also promotes collaboration among students, and allows the teacher to challenge them and provide extra support to those who need it. Learning Stations are one of my favorite things to do in the classroom. The excitement of the timer and anticipation of moving around keeps students engaged and eager to learn. 

Why should we consider using learning centers?

Because learning centers are student focused, they give me the opportunity to provide my students with choices, and multiple opportunities to practice a specific skill or content. Based on the fact that language acquisition happens through repeated exposure to the language used in different contexts multiple times, learning centers are a great tool to help achieve that goal. Using Learning Centers also facilitates intervention, promotes collaborative group work, incorporates movement in the classroom, and maintains students engaged. 

How to set up learning centers?

Even though we understand all the advantages of implementing learning centers in the Spanish classroom, it’s important to focus on the logistics. Learning Centers are a great teaching method, but they can also be a nightmare if you are not well prepared. 

There are 7 crucial steps I follow in order to ensure that my Learning Centers run as smoothly and organized as possible:

Prepare materials

Planning learning centers activities doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. I like to use simple curriculum activities or any activity I can find on external places like Pinterest that target a specific objective or skill. The main thing I focus on is scaffolding the activities.  A good starting point is to plan them based on competence levels. This gives me the opportunity to intervene and support my struggling students if needed, and challenge my above level ones. It also helps me assess my students and provide them the opportunity to build upon the skill they are working on. Another way I like to plan my center activities is by skills. For example, a center focused on reading, another on writing, listening, and speaking. Once I decide on my goals for the Stations, it’s important to gather all the materials needed for each one. 

Set up your learning centers

Depending on the number of students I have, I usually set up 4-5 centers. I use all the spots in the classroom. This includes the rug, yard, hallway, and desks. Students love the chance to change environments. It helps them stay focused and engaged. 

Provide clear directions with visual support 

This is extremely important. Besides explaining and demonstrating the goals for each station, I make sure to display directions clearly, with images to support my students’ understanding. 

Clear expectations

Before starting the rotations, I sit down with the entire group and explain the assignments’ expectations, transition habits, and general behavior rules. I make sure I model the desire behavior and repeat as many times as possible.

Split groups 

Group your students depending on the purpose of your lesson. I like to organize them by learning styles or levels. This helps students collaborate and support each other, building a sense of community. 

Set up timer 

I allow students to spend 8-10 on each station, making sure they understand that it’s okay if they don’t finish on time. I instruct them to move to the next center, even if they’re not finished. 

Provide clean up time

I give an extra 5 minutes for students to clean up their center, organize and put away the materials. 

Finally, I provide an additional 5 minutes to discuss their impressions, challenges and difficulties, and explore next steps and expectations. I have included a video about Learning Stations being implemented. It’s not a Spanish Classroom, but the idea behind it doesn’t change. I hope this provides a better understanding of Learning Centers, how they worked, and how they help provide Comprehensible Input to your students.

 

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