How to Setup and Manage ELA Centers

[@Carrie-ig7if]

Thank you so much for explaining how to run the ELA centers. I have been struggling with how to do this effectively. As a new multi-grade teacher, I feel like I have not found the correct way in my centers. This is an answered prayer for me.

[@michelled.3849]

I would love to see how you introduce and practice all these procedures and centers to your kiddos at the beginning of the year.🙂

[@EarlyEDventures]

very, very slowly lol

[@egtupper]

Hi, Shelley, I’m a retired teacher in Texas who taught for 35 years. In that time I tried so many different ELA rotations! I finally landed on one similar to yours for the last 7-8 years of my career. One thing I really loved using was a program called epic books.

[@mayaabruzzo8556]

I love epic books!

[@michelled.3849]

I too love Epic!

[@Dr.teebee]

It would be awesome for you to do several videos with your experience.

[@ekayburke]

Thank you so much for this!!!! I recently made a huge change, I'm switching from middle school to elementary this year! Your videos are helping me plan lessons, centers, etc.

[@KathrynMinerva]

You explained this so thoroughly and beautifully!! Love the book shopping time built in! I do a center called Picture of the Week….i found some cool/interesting/funny pictures on Nat Geo Kids and just google images, laminated them, then velcroed them on a laminated poster paper where they have to write 4 different kinds of sentences to go with the picture (statement, question, command and exclamation). I think I could just make this in a writing notebook for a writing center!

[@sheilabrown3597]

Thank you! As a “new” elementary teacher (formerly middle school), this has been so helpful. New subscriber! 🙏🏾💯😀

[@asac1989]

First of all, congratulations on your new baby!!! Secondly, thank you so much for making this video. I will be going self-contained for the first time in years and I’m super nervous about centers. Interesting side-note, our district has now split up our ELA Block. It’s now 90 minutes of Reading/Centers and a separate 45 minute block for Grammar/Writing.

[@rachelalexis337]

Congratulations on your baby boy!!!! ❤️ he’s adorable

[@AnnaLeek1]

1st grade ten teacher here 🙋🏼‍♀️ we use benchmark and the writing is SO over their heads. I do a lot of these components you mentioned in my centers, so hearing you’re doing some of the same things makes me feel good! I also use the same set up for my math centers but I include STEM bins!

[@kaitlinjenkins1727]

As a first year 2nd grade teacher, thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to make this video and explain, in detail, your centers. Centers are probably the most overwhelming part of the schedule and I really love your/your team teacher's ideas. Thank you again!!

[@reneealexanderthechampteac3218]

I absolutely love this! Ur partner teacher is a GENIUS! I can’t wait for the math one since I’m only teaching math & science this year!!

[@Mrs.Ps_Peeps_23]

Omg, I Love this!!! I have been an intervention aide for 4 years and I am finally in my own classroom and I'll be teaching 2nd grade. I absolutely love what you have incorporated into the centers. It is fairly close to what my district does and the block that I have helped students as an aide. Thank you for the detailed breakdown!!

[@kgaipo72]

Thank you so much…..we are beginning a new reading/writing program this year (Into Reading) and I think this would be a great way to run that time. We also use LEXIA. I used the digital packets last year because I was the remote teacher for grade 2 in my building. I’m going to watch this again so I can write things down so I don’t forget when I go back to school at the end of the month. Congratulations on the baby. He’s adorable. I’m a boy mom too (11, 9, and 6). I truly appreciate your videos they have brought me new inspiration for this school year.

[@EarlyEDventures]

I am so glad!! I hope it works well for you!!!

[@sakiya7683]

So for Fridays, what are kiddos doing if they do NOT have any center work to make up? Also, on Fridays, for the third center where you’re pulling kids for whatever subject/assignment they might need to revisit, what are students doing that DO NOT have anything to discuss? Is Lexia the only other work used to fill in this time for specific students? Thank you so much in advance, this is indeed GENIUS! Love every detail.

[@gaellegoutain1286]

I was about to ask the same question about the Friday centers.

[@EarlyEDventures]

So for the "catch up" center, you can really have kids do whatever you want if they are all caught up! I will probably make this a "may do" center, so they can choose the activity they want to do if they are all done. This will be a good motivator too for them to stay on task during centers! For example, maybe they get some free computer time, free draw, or whatever "may do" activities I select for the day. I am a little confused by the second question. The kids that I have pulled for a small group are all participating in whatever I have planned during that time. So if they don't have anything to "discuss" they are working on whatever I have prepared for that small group time. Hands on activity, more practice, etc. The rest of the class is at the remaining two centers (i.e. book shopping/reading, or catch up work). I really hope this helps, but let me know if you need more clarification!!

[@mariaclayton9892]

Check out Wonderopolis! This is a great site where kids can find answers to questions that they want to learn. There are plenty of activities that students can complete as well as a follow up worksheet that you can set up to keep kids accountable for that work. This can be completed digitally or through worksheets. I would recommend choices here. I would not recommend having students not having specific work to complete because there are many activities that most kids need to catch up on!

[@devinnebone8156]

This is my first year teaching and I can't wait to use this in my second grade classroom! I think this will make our centers run SO smoothly!!

[@BR06456]

This is exactly how I do centers yay. I pull my small reading groups exactly the way you do. Love your class decor.

[@dakotagarrett718]

Can we talk abt how the freaking baby is here?!? Like I’m so excited to watch your journey with the two boys! Will you be posting a ditl with a toddler and a newborn on the fam channel? I would love to see one

[@EarlyEDventures]

Yes and thank you!!! Updates coming soon!

[@Mike-p2u]

Holy crap. You solved my ELA center problems AND had a baby? You ROCK! :)

[@lovelylids4431]

Thank You for everything! This will technically be my first year back in the classroom since the pandemic began and will be my second year teaching First grade. I couldn't wrap my head around small group timing and you've been awesome at explaining SO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM TEACHER SOOOO MUCH!!! Btw, CONGRATS on the new addition to your fam bam! Blessings always! ❤

[@ms.nelsonsedvantures]

Oh my goodness thank you so much for sharing this. I took over a grade 2 class this month and ELA has been so difficult to figure out. I have done Daily 5 in th past but I think the way you approach this is going to work better for my kiddos. I can't wait to start introducing my kids to this on Monday

[@MrsCallsCampers]

This is almost identical to how I run my centers, but you explained it soooooo well! I think you'll really enjoy this. It definitely allows you to be super flexible even with who you pull each day! So glad I remembered to come back and watch these videos. I loveee watching you :)

[@allielampf2450]

OMG! This video is amazing! You do such a great job of explaining, Shelley! 😍 I can’t wait to see more videos from you! 😊

[@carindamanuel-morgan3493]

So interesting!! I am a maternity cover teacher til the end of October in Zambia and have taught for 15 years in Zimbabwe and this is so different to how things are done there and here! I think it's a really good idea and if I am ever to teach full time again I definitely think I would like to try this!

[@Katie-yi9vp]

This is GENIUS! Thank you for breaking through my mental block with these great ideas!

[@justinluvsgeniya4evr]

I am a first year teacher and have been racking my brain on how I want/should run ELA centers. I love all of these ideas, thank you so much

[@EarlyEDventures]

I don't really set a limit because I feel like kids should be reading whatever they want to read whenever they want to read it. As long as they are reading I am happy!

[@shellypelletier2848]

I absolutely loved this video - thank you! I'm starting year 15, but it's my first year in 2nd. Coming from 4th grade, I knew that I would need to tweak things a bit and got so many amazing ideas from you. :)

[@veronicaarias3128]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for this video!! I think this has been the best way to do ELA centers! You are amazing!

[@laurenskaggs9711]

I do a similar style! I don’t have myself as a center either and it’s the best!!! It allows for so much more flexibility and giving the kids what they need!

[@NILOTIC87]

I am so happy I watched this video. Thank you!

[@FashionGuru2014]

This helps me so much! I am going to be a third year third grade teacher and centers are something I've struggled with. I love this set up and am going to try this this year !!

[@aliceb1247]

Congratulations on your baby boy! Great video. I will definitely use your center ideas. I did not hear any mention about testing. Do you do weekly testing of reading, vocabulary, grammar, or spelling skills? If so, how do you incorporate that into your day?

[@brittplans3090]

I started doing my math groups this way a few years ago and it is LIFE CHANGING!!

[@rosainostrosa1838]

Omg! I'm a 2 grade Dual Language teacher. This will be my 6th year and I think you have given me the best SLA rotations that will work for me. I've been breaking my head to develop a consistent rotation that not only works for the students, but for me also. I know it'll take some time for me to get it going but at least I can say I have a plan. Lol. Thank you so much for your time to record this. Blessings to you and the fam.

[@BasmahAbdulhaleem]

Hi Congrats on your new baby!!! Also, this is my first time teaching 2nd Grade. It was handed to me which I didn't expected, but I will take it, however, that doesn't mean I am not afraid. I want to view more of your videos and let a lot of the information sink in. It also looks like your classroom costs lots of money to have a class similar to yours as things add up, but I am willing to sacrifice, because I see how you run things in the class. Where do I get a cricket?

[@HeyMissKiraShay]

Loved this video, Shelley! I will be teaching kinder this fall and I will be doing “Must Do, May do” for center time. The students will go to 1 center per day M-Th and they have a task they must complete then they have a few options to chose from to practice previous skills once they are done. I also will be doing the same and not having my GR table as a center. On Fridays, we will have ketchup and pickles (got this idea from Monique). Students finish work from the week that they missed and then they get to play with toys in our free play tubs. Each student will have a center folder to put the must do recording sheets in (got this idea from Mayleen!) and on Thursday’s during planning or after school I check center folders and place work that is unfinished or hasn’t been done in their ketchup folders. This will be my first year doing it, so I’m excited to see how things go!

[@heathergustafson9798]

loving this. I'm hoping im able to use this in my classroom once i start.

[@toschaferguson5749]

I love this idea of teacher flexibility. I NEVER have thought of that before. It’s brilliant!

[@KristenHuckeba]

Great video! I would love to see how you teach math! Guided math/whole group/small groups/math centers/ etc.

[@EarlyEDventures]

Video coming soon!

[@francesharrigan1374]

Thank you for this detailed video. Great inspiring. Congratulations to you and your family on your new addition. 💕🤗

[@sarahsayce9568]

This year during my phonics time I will be using the Fountas and Pinell Phonics program as well as using the LLI program from them to help my struggling readers

[@tracymcfarland2013]

Thanks for the great mind spark! Just curious, how do you manage the centers when there is a 4 day week?

[@mariemolloy2392]

Impressive! Thanks for the detailed explanation. I am looking forward to the video on how you run your math centers.

[@katelynjames9914]

Shelly I would love to hear more about how you actually role this out with students and teach them what to do at each center.

[@EarlyEDventures]

Surf the comments I have answered this a couple of times somewhere! 🙂

[@Asherfly14]

I want to take a moment and say, “You’re amazing!!!”

[@EarlyEDventures]

YOU ARE!! Thank you :)

[@haililanilatu7506]

I've been always intimidated by centers and haven't found a system that works for me. What you explain in this video is super doable! I'm restructuring my ELA block to match this :) I have a question! For Fridays, 20-20-20, how did you group your students, since it's only 3 rotations?

[@jessicaplyler4669]

I am going to give this a try! Although, we do not have school on Fridays.

[@beyondbrunch]

Love this. I’ve used various versions of this model over the years but I want to try this next year so I don’t feel so pressured to perform like a hamster on a wheel. I know I’m late but I would love it if you shared your rotation chart.

[@emilyplumley6795]

I know this is an older video, but was just curious how this guided reading rotation setup worked for you?? I struggle with how to set up rotations and I really want to try this way this year

[@katyr7513]

I love the schedule! Thanks!

[@buggythecatx7661]

Hey Shelley! Can you do an update on what you do for the first day of school? ❤️ I was a first year teacher last year, and was virtual for the first day of school. I’m nervous about being Covid safe for the first day. What ideas do you have ??

[@03eurika30]

This is gold! I wish I had this before my first year of teaching 😪

[@loriholmes2398]

Thank you for the great information. Moving to 2nd from 1st this upcoming year. When do the kids read to you? We use decodable readers and I have always had a teacher station in the rotation where we practice the decodable readers.

[@kennedyfrank80]

Congratulations on your sweet baby boy he’s so cute

[@amyleeglassner]

Thank you for sharing this information. You are so good at explaining everything! A GREAT system!

[@n.y.gemini4432]

💙💙 Congratulations on the baby!!!! 💙💙

[@FRanceBar]

It's brilliant ! Can't wait to try it this year ! I just don't have access to technology in my class so I dont't know with what I can replace it 🤔

[@EarlyEDventures]

Oh yikes!! No technology is a bummer, but not a total ruiner! Some other centers I have done in the past that might work are: a designated center for the fix it sentences I mentioned, write the room, comprehension, STEM center.

[@FRanceBar]

Thank you for the idea ! And congrats for your baby boy ❤

[@traceyhyer5702]

Thank you so much for the explanation of your centers. This has been such a great help in planning for next year. You mention in your video about writing but I don't see the link for it. Could you please let me know what it is?

[@georgedelzer2945]

I love the structure of this and will be using this (with some tweaks of my own) with my 3rd graders this fall. What center do you do reading comprehension and vocabulary? Is it during the "Seat Work" center? Thank you.

[@EarlyEDventures]

I have actually changed things up yet again! I only have 4 centers now - Read to Self (and this is where I have them complete comprehension questions. If they finish the questions in their time for the center then they spend the rest of the time with their choice book). I also changed "word work"...instead, during this center they do a "word work pamphlet" which I purchased from Markers and Minions here: www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Benchmark-Advance-Third-Grade-Spelling-Vocabulary-Grammar-Pamphlets-3381300. The other two are Technology and writing. Hope this helps!!

[@jennifermcgoey5140]

This is awesome! I teach third grade and I started the word work station. The children love it. They also enjoy acting out and guessing the words. Can you create a template in your tpt store to purchase ?

[@emeliamoore9467]

Thank you so much for sharing this in detail! So helpful!

[@liznugget6089]

First year teacher here! How would you recommend executing the centers? Add a center each week? Introduce the centers right away? No centers for the first few weeks n then slowly bring them in? Any details will be appreciated!! Thank you!!

[@abcdefg6595]

So there's two ways and it really depends on your group. 1. Introduce one academic center a week your other centers can be stuff like reading a book, coloring, etc. To teach your kids to rotate. That way you teach one center to all kids on Monday and have them master it by Friday. 2. Introduce all centers right away. It's going to take them a longer time to master them but they will be in academic centers from the start. Maybe don't have them rotate from the start (ex. Week 1 no rotation, week 2 half the time on one center half on another, week 3 3 rotations) The main thing is that you need to be clear and detailed with your expectations and procedures. Don't be afraid to close a center if they're not following instructions and have them try again another day. Hope this helps

[@alejandrav5790]

What always worked well for me was introducing the different centers one at a time. This allowed me to circulate the room and help the class when needed. Depending on the activity, you can adjust the amount of days needed for practice. Once they knew how to do all the centers then we would begin with rotations. I didnt pull groups the first few days and we started with 10 minute rotations so I could again walk around and make sure the centers were being done correctly, put away etc. It's really important to have the procedures done correctly and practiced many time in the beginning so that things run smoothly the rest of the year. We would start with 10 minutes, then 15 and finally the full 20 minute rotations. Once I felt that they were solid, then I would insert myself and begin pulling groups. Hope that was helpful and have a great first year!

[@EarlyEDventures]

I completely agree with the two individuals that already commented!! It totally depends on what you and your students can handle/what makes the most sense for them. I personally roll it out really slowly because it requires a lot of stopping, talking about behaviors/transitions, etc. So for example, we spend one day talking about read to self procedures, and the whole class participates in that "center". We do the same for word work the following day. And then maybe the next day I will have half the class reading to self and the other half doing word work. I never roll it out the same year to year because some groups can handle more than others! Hope this helps!

[@nyeisharobinson2030]

We use the being a writer program. I like it.

[@terribrown4803]

I love rotations! However, when do you assess? I might have missed it.

[@EarlyEDventures]

We build in assessments during other parts of the day. It totally depends on what we are assessing! Spelling is each week on Fridays after lunch. Any type of whole group reading assessment I will either carve time out of another part of the day, OR I will administer it during one of my flexible small group times. We always find time somewhere!

[@Emily-vi8tz]

Do you have a printout of these ideas? Great ideas!

[@nicolebriones4142]

I love this idea. Thank you so much for sharing. How do you do your math centers?

[@meganryan4955]

Ohhh I'm so jealous your allowed to do ELA centers our school uses Lucy Calkins and we're not allowed to do centers. BUT we do have a partner read time which depending on your group of kiddos can be really fun. So that could maybe we a teacher choice center too on Fridays! ALSO, Congratulations on the baby!!

[@EarlyEDventures]

Ahh bummer! I strongly believe in the power of small group instruction. However, I have used Lucy Calkins and she is AMAZING.

[@tameramanns5481]

How do you differentiate the packets in the centers? High kids vs lower kids?

[@melodymitchell7134]

I would love to know how you keep track of who needs to finish what work on Fridays based on what they missed while being pulled for small group. Do they kinda just know and do it or do you have to police it? Also, wondering what you do if there is a PA day or something and you cant do the Friday lit block, or miss a whole day of centers? Also do you know of a good writing curriculum similar to the one you mentioned but for 3rd grade. PS I just found u and love your channel!!!

[@erinlagasse126]

Hello! Could you please share the link for the "Fix It" sentences you like best?

[@primaryprocedures2289]

Can you do a video on how this went and any changes you had to make

[@marygribble8870]

Hey, Shelly, Last year was tough during COVID and for books I would either have them set a 20 minute timer and read on zoom or I would have them go to Epic books it has really helped! So when you are pulling kids on Fridays what are the other kiddos who aren’t pulled doing in that time? And do you pull multiple groups on Fridays or just one? Love your videos! P.S. I love how organized your room is mine never gets that clean or organized like I will organize it and then then the next day it’s all messy again!

[@EarlyEDventures]

Hi! The other kids are doing the other two centers I mentioned (book shopping and catch up work) and then we do three rotations so I will see all three groups!

[@ashleywaite2324]

I LOVE this! Do you change up the kids who are in each group? If so how frequently?

[@nicolehilson1439]

I appreciate you sharing how you run your centers! Maybe you can do one for math as well? I know baby is due soon though!

[@EarlyEDventures]

Yep I will be doing one for math too!

[@marysmiles17]

Just a quick question about the accountability issue, I know you explained how you deal with it for writing, but what about word work and seat work? Do you actually go through and mark their word work books and seat work pages every day? Where do the finished seat work pages end up? Thank you!! :)

[@EarlyEDventures]

They turn in their "seat work" after each center into a designated "seat work" basket. I quickly go through them at recess to check for accountability/understanding. For word work, I decided for my own sanity that I won't be checking it daily. The word work is really just extra practice for them, and since we assess spelling every single week, that will tell me who practiced. Writing doesn't get assessed as frequently, so for me that is more important to quickly check. Hope this helps!

[@flordelamora870]

@@EarlyEDventures Hi, I don't know if I missed this during your video, but did you mention if and when you do spelling tests?

[@EarlyEDventures]

@@flordelamora870 I do them on Friday’s in the afternoon!

[@MsAlison]

congratulations on 100k!

[@jamiecombs111]

How do you organize your centers for the week? Baskets, 10 drawer cart? Thanks!

[@carolinemarie44]

Thank you, this was great!

[@VeronicaKim-h9c]

Can I ask what program you used to make the Centers Chart? Thank you!

[@elisamartinez2170]

Yes I would like to know about your math centers.😊

[@cait8881]

This is amazing, thank you so much for sharing!

[@holly32942]

Do you differentiate the centers at all by ability or do they all complete the same assignments?

[@mirshanevarez2640]

For your word work journal, you mention you have them cut the words and glue them in their journal. Are these words like flash card size? Did you created them on power point? Can you show a student journal and how it looks like with the words? Thank you so much!

[@andreariley1142]

How do your centers differ when having a combo class? I have a 2-3 combo.

[@gingersun12]

Love this ❤

[@elsavalerio6851]

Question do you start centers the first week or when do you introduce them? All at once or one at a time. Thank you for this video.

[@chantelgolding9582]

Hi Shelley! I use Core5 also and wanted to know where do you find the packets you make for your kids? Thanks!

[@krupprecht3]

Thank you so much for sharing this, super helpful!! I’m not sure if I misheard but how do you split up your five groups on Friday’s? Is it more so just sending individual kids where they need to be or do you clump some groups together in the 3 rotations?

[@EarlyEDventures]

I just out the class into 3 groups. For example I might say yellow and orange group you’re a group, blue green you’re a group. Etx

[@donna8993]

Hi, I wanted to know how you let the kids know it's time to move to the next center. Do you ring a bell or something?

[@EarlyEDventures]

I am still deciding what I want to do this year. In the past I have had a digital timer on the TV that shows them how much time they have left in the center and it beeps when there is one minute left and at the end. I might use this, or I might just ring my doorbell!

[@pollywannacracker11]

Can you do a video on math centers?

[@EarlyEDventures]

Yep that is coming!

[@mercedeslopez937]

Hi! What are the students doing when they are finished with their center? For example, when the students are finished with their word work, do you have them do something else to fill the rest of the 20 minutes time?

[@Kuma.CreamHero]

Hi! I’m a new teacher and this is SO helpful. A question I have is, do you put anything on your board to show what the rotations for Friday looks like? Or do they just know the routine? I like the chart you made for Monday-Thursday. I’m thinking of doing a slide like that with a 20 min timer attached. Thanks! (:

[@emilyschwartz5359]

Hey! I use Lexia with my students as well! Where can I find those work packets you were referring to?

[@denasimmel2456]

How often do you change up your students in each group? Great video btw!!

[@Dearbrookes]

During book shopping, do they just pick one book?

[@cathymlodzik2896]

For Friday... do the kids rotate to the same centers or like they are for the M-Thursday rotations? Also, how are they grouped? I ask because Friday seemed so different.

[@samanthagarcia2426]

Do you have a video where you explain the sticker chart? I know you mentioned that you scan their writing and reward them with a sticker. Could you elaborate on this reward system please?

[@EarlyEDventures]

I changed this because I didn’t like stickers. Instead, I give them an eagle ticket which they can use to buy orizes

[@DawnitaHall]

Do you have a follow up on how these and your math centers worked for you since this video (and your math stations one) was filmed before you had run the stations? I think this is a brilliant plan, but I am curious if you found you needed to make any adjustments. Did you encounter anything that you would want to share with us that might help us implement these stations more smoothly?

[@homulilly]

What’s the grammar resource (not the benchmark one) the one that’s connected to writing

[@SKuhn]

How do you display group rotations to your students? I want to make or purchase slides with a timer on them but I’m struggling to visualize how I make sure 5 different groups know where they are rotating to each day at least until we get in the routine.

[@kathrineplagens7062]

Are your assignments for each center different for those two days of the week? Like for example, would you have two different writing prompts or two different word work assignments?