The more reading practice children get, the better readers they become. A buddy reading center allows first graders to practice reading skills with a friend. Teach students how to read with a partner by modeling with a child or another teacher. Sit next to each other with the book evenly placed in front of both people. If you can obtain two copies of the same book, this works best. Children should alternate pages. One child will read and then the other. You can give them required tasks such as stopping to make predictions or connections, or asking each other comprehension questions.
Another reading center can involve manipulatives such as magnetic letters and boards. Students can practice forming spelling words, vocabulary words, character names or even full sentences. This can be an independent center. Children could have lists of practice words individualized for their own learning needs. They can practice removing letters and substituting with other letters to form new words.
An art center can incorporate reading and drawing. Students can choose a book to read and then draw a picture related to that book. Create a basic worksheet template that includes a place to write the title of the book and a box to draw the picture. Directions can instruct students to draw their favorite part, something that was funny, sad, scary, or interesting, or something that they could connect to their own lives. Under the picture they could write down what they drew and why they chose to draw it.
Create a bin or box of specifically chosen books that students can browse through. Choose a special topic, genre or author. For example, create a browsing box of books with a family theme, poetry books or books by Dr. Seuss. Allow students to explore the books. Have students keep a notebook for this center, where they write down which book they favored and why.