Set the goals and determine what you wish your students to achieve through learning centers. Avoid generalized topics, such as mathematics, English-language arts and science; instead, focus the center's activities on specific concepts and skills that relate to the general subject areas. Change the concepts and skills that each center will focus on weekly or biweekly. For instance, the mathematics center can focus on translating Roman numerals 1 week and changing decimals to fractions another week.
Design activities that will spark your students' interests and at the same time teach the specified concept or skill. You may wish to stray away from worksheets and, instead, incorporate hands-on activities. For example, create a game that reinforces a specific part of speech or ask the children to perform experiments to explore condensation.
Collect the resources and materials that will be needed for each learning center. Store the resources and materials in easy-to-access storage bins, zip-top bags or cardboard boxes. Label the items clearly in the learning center and provide instructions that indicate how to use the materials.
Explain learning centers to students. When introducing new activities in the centers, explain the activities to students as a whole group. Show children how to use the materials and explain the goals of the activities.
Establish rules and guidelines for your learning centers. Review the rules and guidelines and inform students of consequences, if they do not adhere to these rules and guidelines.