Centers: Build Them and The Learning Will Follow

Students in a first grade class at Davenport follow this centers chart daily during math instruction.


I believe the classic line from Field of Dreams is, "If you build it they will come." The same could be said for centers and the use of technology in our SPS Elementary Math lessons; if you provide them with technology, students will use it appropriately to succeed. This theory held true last week as SPS Elementary Math was provided with the wonderful opportunity to attend math lessons with centers applied in first and fourth grade instruction at Davenport Ridge School.

The structure of these lessons allowed for teachers to meet with every student for a minimum of eight minutes. Additionally, students were provided with the opportunity to work independently and with their respective peers while solving all of the problems related to the days lesson. Most amazing was how efficient and involved the scholars in each classroom were as well as the multiple opportunities centers provided teachers and students to use the CCSS Mathematical Practices.

It was made clear while discussing the lessons with each teacher that there was some initial planning that needed to take place, however, the teachers indicated that once centers are established they're significantly more productive than the traditional approach of lecturing and whole class instruction. All the teachers that we spoke with indicated that they would not go back to a traditional method, that both they and their scholars preferred the use of centers.

Above the objective is stated for students in a first grade classroom. This slide is constantly referred to throughout the lesson. Below a premade sign is posted at a center for students in fourth grade. The teacher uses a dry erase marker to change the objective of the center each day.

The first and most important element of establishing centers; create norms and expectations. Additionally it is important for students to know what is expected of them at each center. The teachers we spoke with also indicated that regardless of their age, students are capable of transitioning, completing their work and staying on task, especially with centers rotating frequently throughout the duration of the lesson. The centers we saw last week included all of the elements of an Everyday Math lesson. All of the components required were used to fidelity including games (which are used as a daily center). Additionally, teachers used suggested enrichment and differentiated components that were both from the program and from other resources.

Above first grade students are seen meeting CCSS Mathematical Practices: 1: Make Sense of Problems and Persevere in Solving Them, 2: Reason Abstractly and Quantitatively, and 3: Construct Viable Arguments and Critique the Reasoning of Others.


Another element that should be noted from these lessons would be the incorporation of technology. The teachers didn't take anything for granted and made sure to provide students access to all the resources in the room. Teachers allowed scholars to use the promethean board (as a center as well as for demonstrating work), teachers allowed scholars to work at computers and in one case on an iPad.

Above students in fourth grade are seen using the Promethean Board to discuss and compare decimals. First grade students are seen using an iPad and logging in and playing EM Online Games (in both cases without a teacher to assist them). These are just some of the examples of CCSS Mathematical Practices 4: Model with Mathematics, and 5: Use Appropriate Tools Strategically in addition to incorporating technology.


In each grade level we saw students and teachers demonstrate mathematical practices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7. This was just one day. Equally as impressive, the high level of student engagement, the work that was completed, and the differentiation that was provided. There was a real sense of community and a strong learning environment evident in each room we visited.

Above is a first grade student demonstrating CCSS Mathematical Practice 7: Look for and Make Use of Structure. Below a group of first grade students work with their teacher to complete their daily RSA and receive differentiated instruction in the teacher center.

In conclusion it was clear after visiting these classrooms that centers can be done in any elementary level classroom. Hopefully in the future SPS Elementary Math will be capable of coming to visit your classroom. Please let us know if you would like to have us visit.