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  • 1.  Need help with centers!

    Posted 09-14-2022 14:06
    I teach 3 year olds. What do you guys have in your math and science centers? My kids are bored. I've been pinteresting ideas. I need help with cozy too! They seem to treat it as a wrestling corner. I have a giant teddy bear, books, and puzzles. I sit with them when I can and show them the correct way to use the center. I am an need of all your ideas and what works for you

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    AngelaH
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  • 2.  RE: Need help with centers!

    Posted 09-15-2022 11:09
    Hi Angela,
    here are some suggestions:
    Math and science (and all the areas in the classroom) need to be meaningful. Use the children's interests and reflect then in the materials used. Invite them to discover and experiment, add a children's picture encyclopedia for animals or dinosaurs or other areas they are interested at. Magnets, nature loose pieces, magnifying glasses, magic sand, etc. Ask questions... What if...?, I wonder what would happen if ...?, would this stick to the magnet? etc.
    Math materials need to reflect also their interest, loose pieces, counters like dinosaurs or other animals that change throughout the year, dice, etc. Legos and math: Get dice and have the children rolling them, counting the Lego pieces they get, do few rounds, and then they can build with the pieces they got. You can add dice for colors as well (i.e.- 5 blue pieces, 3 red, 6 yellow, etc.)
    If they are using the cozy area to wrestle, they might be asking for an area to experiment with gross motor, offer them a "movement center" or so, where they have mats or other materials. Be consistent with the rules about the cozy area use, and why wrestling is not safe. Explaining the "why" behind the rules might help them understand as well. Create a sign with their ideas about proper use, that might give them more ownership and a better understanding of the area.

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    Cecy Carballo
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  • 3.  RE: Need help with centers!

    Posted 09-15-2022 11:20
    You can include a variety of things purchased and DIY. 
    Math-
    Make sheets with their picture and current age
    combine blocks and other counting manipulates
    Dominoes are cheap
    Use ice cube or other trays from to make matching games with numbers or colors
    sorting or pattern sheets with colors, numbers or shapes. Add velcro games to make it more fun.
    add different measuring tools and things to measure. 

    Science-
    Label different rocks, trees/bark or laminate different types of leaves.
    Label beans, flowers, grass, peas, vegetables, fruit, sea shells, sand, pumpkins or just about anything and place a magnifying glass for the children to view.
    Have the parents bring items and make a sensory discovery table or have the children make different types of sensory bottles.
    Make Feely Boxes

    I know Pinterest has a bunch of great ideas and DIY's you can add. Hope this helps! :)

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    ShamaraParker
    RiverviewFL
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  • 4.  RE: Need help with centers!

    Posted 09-15-2022 13:49
    Math items might include abacus, dominoes, games with dice, pegboards with numbers printed and holes to match, playing cards, puzzles where written numbers are matched to quantities, small objects to count into numbered containers, unifix cubes, balance scale with things to weigh, measuring cups and spoons with materials to measure, nested cups, puzzles (or anything) with geometric shapes, height chart (use to measure children's growth intermittently), thermometer, attribute blocks, geoboards, magnetic shapes, parquetry blocks with patterns, shape sorters, shape stencils, unit blocks (with image/outline labels on shelves), calculators, cash register, magnetic numbers, menu with prices, number lacing cards, number stamps/paint sponges, spinners, telephones, toy clock, grocery receipts/grocery store ads.

    Science items might include ant farm, aquarium, butterly hatching kit, plants, window bird feeder, collections of natural items (seeds, rocks, pinecones, shells, leaves, nuts, wood pieces, etc.), nature-science books (factual), matching games, texture boards, smelling cans, binoculars, balance scales with natural objects to weigh, color paddles, kaleidoscope, lifting objects with levers/pulleys, magnets (with magnetic objects), mangifying glasses, microscope (and slides to look at), prisms, sensory bottles, tornado tubes, rain guage, sand and water tables with toys (buckets, funnels, measuring cups/spoons, pails, rakes, sand molds, scoops, shovels, sifters/sieve, spray bottles, turkey baster, trowels, unbreakable containers (bowls, etc.).

    Cozy area things to consider: is it clearly defined and as far away as possible from the more active areas? I would remove the giant stuffed animal and add comfy seating for one or two children (you could have a couple of different seating options) that is not comfortable to jump on, maybe things on the ceiling to look at as you lay in that area (clouds?  constellations?) or some sort of sheer material above them that somehow make the area feel cozy and invites contemplation.

    Good for you for reaching out! Good luck!

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    AndreaDekker
    TUCSONAZ
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  • 5.  RE: Need help with centers!

    Posted 09-15-2022 19:31
    Hello Angela, 

    Based on somethings I've learned from observing the children interest vary since every child is different. In the Math Center we tend to switch out the activities or toys the children can partake in every so often from the use of it on a normal basis. Some toys we have out are puzzles, loose piece tile puzzles where the objective to find the shape tile the would go on each piece to complete the puzzle, patterning dinosaurs where they can implement the ab pattern or aabb  patterns that were taught at circle time that week, a clock puzzle, strings shape patterns.  What I have noticed is that even when we believe the children haven't learned the lessons taught the children will absolutely surprise you and blow you away with their progress.  As for the Science Center some toys that will help them  can be sensory color dye bottles that separate in half of clear and a color of your choice with poms poms or random paraphenalia used on the daily curriculum planning.  Other toys that can work to calm their bodies and teach them to build can be magnetic shapes the children love them while using their creativity and imagination such as building a princess castle or and insect catcher. Instruments would be a good choice as well nature toys matching insects to the pictures. Some children can be fascinated by magnifying glass to explore objects around the center or tweezers to pick up pom poms individually which strengthens their hands  eye coordination.  As for the Cozy Center puppets or stuffed animals can be interested to the children they  will grab a book and read with them.  Books being switched out to the lesson plans to the week study or activities that are popular amongst the children will make huge differences.  Throwing pillows and a pillow to seat kids like to lay back and just look at the pictures. When their is time sitting with them and showing them how a toy is used properly can be extremely fun for the kiddos.  I can honestly say I learn something about every child as they are from us. It's such a wonderful experience each day and rewarding to be able to make a difference. I hope my response helped a little.

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    AlejandraVelasco
    ANNANDALENJ
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  • 6.  RE: Need help with centers!

    Posted 09-22-2022 13:45
    Hi Angela-
    I am wondering if your Curriculum could be of support. We use Creative Curriculum in the classroom and it provides ideas and support to our teachers regarding all of the developmental areas for children.

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    JanelleSaxton
    ShepherdMI
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