This week we are studying habitats in conjunction with our story about A Walk in the Desert. Two days a week we have afternoon activities. Students work in centers for 12- 15 minutes and then rotate to the next center so that by the end of the afternoon, they have completed all activities. The centers usually focus on the subject focus of the week. Today, the centers included the teacher center. I read a story about plant adaptations for desert habitats and woodland habitats. Then the students completed a science vocabulary page.
At the reading center, students read books about habitats around the world or they could choose to read more Henry and Mudge stories. Then learning teams traveled to their desks where they are working on their own story about taking a walk in the woods.
Students work at their own desks but are encouraged to share their stories with the rest of their team.
After working on their story the team moves to the floor area in the front of the room. That is the game center and I usually have some sort of game associated with the theme focus- this week habitats. The students are playing a lotto type game where they match the name of an animal or plant to its appropriate habitat.
Another station is the computer station where I assign students a web site or activity that reinforces subject matter. Today students went to Learn 21 chose Level 1-2 Science and then habitats. They can play these games at home as well. Just type Learn 21 into the browser.
