Writing centers focus on developing children's writing skills. The accent is on group work, which helps the development of social skills in children. A teacher chooses a topic and encourages children to write a story together. One child writes an introduction, another writes the first paragraph and so on, until all children have written their parts. The last child in the group writes the conclusion. When the story is complete, teacher and children discuss the story. Topics vary depending on lessons.
Reading centers are quiet spots where children read books and magazines appropriate for their age. The teacher provides material for younger children. Older children may bring their books. Children are encouraged to read aloud favorite parts of the books to others. Sometimes one child reads the first part of a story; another reads the next and so on until the end of the story. Reading centers introduce creative and cooperative approaches to reading. Not only do these centers support the development of reading skills, but they also teach children to share and discuss favorite stories among themselves.
Math centers focus on entertaining approaches to this complex subject. In the case of younger children, teachers introduce puzzles and logic games, which stimulate thinking and visualization. Geo-boards are commonplace tools in math centers. These are wooden boards with pegs. Children use pegs to make different shapes, while the teacher introduces names for each new shape. Geo-boards also teach children visual manipulation. Children work in groups and are encouraged to share their thoughts with others.
Art centers deal with various crafts. They are also thematic and follow lessons introduced in class. Usually the teacher decides on the specific craft that most appropriately fits the lesson. That may be drawing, crafting, origami, sculpting or anything else. For example, if children are learning about Christmas, the teacher might provide plasticine. Children then make plasticine eggs and gifts. The teacher may bring a Christmas tree or guide the children in building one together from scraps and plasticine. Art centers encourage children's creativity and socialization.
Special centers follow particular subjects. If a classroom subject seems boring to children, a special center may help. It is also a creative way to think about everyday subjects. Ideas vary and are limitless. The teacher may come up with a green day, apple day, Halloween day or wolf day. A green-themed center, for example, might include green plasticine for crafting green fruit, vegetables and animals. It could also serve as an introduction to forests, types of trees, lizards and snakes. Children work in groups and exchange ideas on the "green" subject.