Enrichment and Center Ideas

Enrichment activities add depth to lessons or themes and offer extra learning options. They can be done as a whole class or in centers. Good sources include educational software, seasonal activity books, teacher supply stores, and internet searches for topic-specific ideas.

Learning Centers

Learning centers provide a place for students to be involved in a learning activity with little or no teacher direction. Centers give the teacher time to work with other students in small work groups. Additionally, centers, help students become more responsible, may allow students to be kinesthetic learners or make use of flexible seating, and allow children to learn through self-discovery.

Centers should promote an ideal learning environment for everyone in the classroom. The elements that should be visible in the classroom during center activities are:

• Students actively engaged in meaningful learning.
• Students working independently.
• Students maintaining a peaceful working environment that is conducive to small group instruction taking place in other areas of the classroom.

Small schools may not have the space to set up a designated center area. Be creative with your use of space and the creation of centers. Portable centers, contained in bins, bags, or folders, are ideal for small spaces. If adequate space is available, consider setting up centers that can be changed to meet current curriculum topics or student interests.