As previously discussed, the four foundational centers (Teacher Led Center, Vocabulary, Reading Together and Writer’s Craft) are appropriate for any classroom. There are additional centers that we can use for different subject areas. In this blog post, we are going to focus on centers for mathematics and science classrooms.

Mathematics

I often recommend centers that focus opportunities for students to apply mathematical skills and ample practice. Using the Eight Standards for Mathematical Practice, these are additional centers for mathematics:

Application

In this center, students are given complex problems in which they need to apply mathematical skills, theorems, models and postulates for different contexts.

Practice

Give students activities in which they are practicing newly introduced concepts as well as previously presented content. Students need ample practice time in order to develop mathematical skills and reinforce number sense.

Critical Application

Provide real world problems that students can solve using recently acquired skills.

Additional Reading

Provide students with real world contexts or math history for this additional reading center.

Science

Observation

Developing keen observation skills is a foundational skill for science students. Provide opportunities for students to observe and examine science phenomena in this center.

Lab Technique

Here students can learn and develop greater proficiency in lab technique. They can learn more about microscopes, different lab equipment, preparing slides and so on.

Speaking and Listening

Students need opportunities to discuss ideas. Students who discuss and speak more in class are learning more!

Viewing

Students can view online science resources from sites like NASA, Scientific America, or the Discovery Channel. A key component of science instruction is teaching students how to observe accurately and draw conclusion from their observations. This center allows students to continue to hone this important skill.

Learning and Literacy centers are an instructional model that provides an intersection for learning skills and content knowledge development. As I implement this model in classrooms all over the United States, many content area teachers report that they are pleasantly surprised that they can cover more content in less time. I also observe that students are happy, engaged and doing challenging work.

For more tips and additional resources and information about using centers in the mathematics and science classroom, see the accompanying Ebook.

Dr. McKnight is an author, educator and consultant. Her career in education began as a high school English teacher in the Chicago Public School system more than 25 years ago. She received her B.A. degree from George Washington University, her M.Ed. from Northeastern Illinois University, and her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She currently serves as a Distinguished Professor of Research at National Louis University. She travels worldwide as a professional development consultant and a sought after speaker in the fields of adolescent literacy, inclusive classrooms, Common Core State Standards, Interdisciplinary literacy, and integrating technology in the 21st century classroom.

Selected Bibliography

English, L. D., & Kirshner, D. (Eds.). (2015). Handbook of international research in mathematics education. Routledge.

National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (2010), Council of Chief State School Officers Title: Mathematics. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington D.C.

McKnight, Katherine S. (2014). Common Core Literacy for Math, Science, and Technical Subjects: Strategies to Deepen Content Knowledge (grades 6-12), San Francisco: Jossey Bass.

Talbot-Smith, M., Abell, S. K., Appleton, K., & Hanuscin, D. L. (Eds.). (2013). Handbook of research on science education. Routledge.

Workosky, C., & Willard, T. Next Generation Science Standards.