Multi-Function Spaces
If you have visited our home page you will have seen our handy dandy info-graphic of things we have found it important to remember. Among the most important is perhaps size of the space you are in. Multi-functional spaces are the way to live! An excellent way to do this is by taking the space that you would use for your reading center and make it your group space as well. But how you say? Incorporate the infrastructure of center to refelct the needs of the classroom. A simple way to do this is to make exciting and intresting focal points so your eye is drawn.
In my humble opinion I feel a artificial crafted tree is an excellent way to do this. The tree can be adapted to meet the different seasons ( Leaves, apples no leaves, Halloween decorations etc) and makes the space more engaging and interesting to the students.
Also create flexible seating solutions that can be adapted to meet the needs for the reading space vs. group time. This may include bean bags or a simple stack of cushions.
Purpose
These centers may seem a little obvious but reading centers should:
- Develop early reading skill
- Helps foster and stimulate imagination
- Grows appreciation from an early age for ready and literature
- Increases visual acuity and perception
- Vocabulary development
Materials
When it comes to a list of materials for a reading center it is not as straight froward as other centers. Many of the materials are needed to switch out to keep interest and unfortunately the largest thing to switch out is also the primary focus…BOOKS. Some of the best resources you can find will be purchased at garage sale and thrift stores. Remember also to find resources that reflect multiple, cultures, ethnicities, races and more. These resources are jems and will help foster a love of reading by showing students imagery they identify with.
Other materials may include:
- Bookshelfs
- Multinational storage
- Teacher chair ( comfortable arm chair or like)
- Floor pillows
- Area rug
- Functional non florescent lighting
- Book stand for group read book
- Easel
- Smart board or white board space
- Multi colored dry erase markers
References
Manitoba Education and Advanced Learning. (2015). Learning through play retrieved from https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/childhood/time_for_joy/chapter6.pdf
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