Classroom Centers:
As with every theme, the composition of the classroom was modified when we began dinosaurs. By supplying the students with different resources, we are able to subtly modify what they are learning, and learning about.
Blocks Center:
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The blocks area is where I also keep some of the larger dinosaur figurines. The students use the blocks to create dinosaur habitats. At other times, the students have used the blocks to create a time machine to take them back to dinosaur land, as well as a McDinosaur's restaurant- featuring dinoburgers and dinoeggs. |
Craft Center:
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This center is usually an area of major activity. With resources such as punches, stencils, bingo dabbers, sparkles, sequins, feathers, as well as paper and coloring implements, the students make an assortment of dinosaur art. |
Fine Motor Development Center:
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This is the center where the students engage in an assortment of fine motor tasks, including using peg boards, glo pegs, lightbright, lacing shapes, etc... What is at this center varies considerably from theme to theme. |
Games and Manipulatives Center:
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At this center, the students engage in a number of games, both homemade and store bought. These vary from Dinosaur lotto and bingo games, to dinosaur memory, to a new class favorite called "T-Rex Rules", a new version of Old Maid. |
Library Center:
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This is one of the primary centers in the classroom. Not only do I select material that I wish to share with the students from this center, but the students also select material that they will utilize during center time, transitional times, etc.. This area is stocked with both fiction and non-fiction materials to suit the different types of learners. |
Math Center:
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At the math center, we have dinosaur counters for the students to practice making patterns with, weighing, sorting, and counting. In addition, we have some of the larger dinosaurs that the students sort according to the number of legs they walk on. Students who are beginning to add and subtract also use the counters, and dinosaur stickers, to complete number sentences. |
Playdough Center:
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The playdough center is primarily used in two ways. Some students manipulate the dough into body parts, and create dinosaurs by sticking the parts of the body together. Other students use the various dinosaur shaped cutters to make dinosaur "cookies" and other creations. |
Puppet Center:
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The favourite dinosaur puppet show that has been carried out (over and over again) this year has been a variation of the Walt Disney Movie "Dinosaur". However, students often also select the puppets to practice reading stories to, bringing over to the block center, etc... |
Puzzle Center:
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We have an assortment of dinosaur puzzles ranging from the very easy to the quite difficult. The favourite of this year's group is the Tyrannosaurus Rex shaped puzzle- it is a challenge, but working together they have been able to piece it together quite often. |
Sand Center:
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The sand table also has a number of plastic dinosaurs in it. The students often try to recreate dinosaur habitats, with particular interest this year in creating volcanos and sinkholes for the dinosaurs to fall into. |
Vermiculite Center:
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Our water table has been temporarily converted into a dinosaur dig. We filled the table with vermiculite, paint brushes, and dinosaur bones (chicken bones, lamb bones, etc... that have been boiled and bleached). The students enjoy going on a fossil hunt, using the brushes to gently uncover the bones. |
Writing Center:
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At the writing center, we have an assortment of books cut out in dinosaur shapes. For these books, the students had modeled their own stories on the book "Can I Have a Stegosaurus Mom? Can I Please?" by Lois Grambling. They used their own persuasive techniques to convince their parents why having a Tyrannosaurus Rex, Apatosaurus, or Triceratops could be beneficial in their homes. |
