Literacy Centers for Early Elementary Learners: Listening Centers

Upgraded Traditional Listening Center

Focus:

Fluency and Expression
Engagement

Materials:

Books (Multiple Copies)
CDs of Books
MP3 Player

Have students use an MP3 player to listen to a story following along in the book. I highly suggest using Apple brand iPod Shuffles or iPod Touches. They are super easy to use and they are durable. With the use of a headphone splitter multiple students can listen to the story together either sharing a book or having their own copy. I have found that creating a how to video with the kids at the beginning of the year (when I introduce the Daily Five listening to reading) helps minimize questions and interruptions. I also select a student to be my iPod specialist they can go to with questions. I purchased all of my books from the Scholastic Reading Club. Copyright law allows you to have the each story you purchase on 1 device at a time.

*See Below for a How to Video to set up your IPod in iTunes and an example iPod Intro Video

Visualization Station Listening Center

Focus:

Comprehension
Visualization
Active Engagement

Materials:

iPad/iPod with 1 or more stories or a link to a story online
Headphones
Paper or Booklets
Writing and Coloring Utensils

Have students listen to a story much like a traditional listening center. However, instead of having them follow along in a book have them draw what they are visualizing in their heads. They could use one piece of paper or mini booklets.

* Robert Munsch has read alouds for all of his books online for FREE! Click here to hear the story Roar! To hear the story find the one you would like and then click download. It will bring to to a page with a direct link to the story. These links work on computers, Chromebooks, and iPads/iPod touches. This can also be combined with a QR code to bring kids right to the story. You could Put the QR code right on the paper so they could hear it again at home.

Center Set Up

Student Recorded Listening Center

Quick Voice App Icon

Focus:

Fluency
Public Speaking

Materials:

iPod/iPad
Recording App
Books
Microphone (Optional)

There are a couple options for this center. One idea for use during listening centers is to record the student(s) reading a book. You could have one student read a whole book or you could record a class reader's theater. They could be shared with the class or kept private for fluency practice. I recorded our reader's theater performances in the spring and they LOVED listening to them during listening to reading. We practiced fluency, rate, expression, clarity and voice volume before recording.

A second option would be to have the students actually record their reading during a literacy center. If you try this option I suggest picking a quiet spot and investing in an iPod compatible I call it read to self- recording. I have the kids use a retro phone (see accessories below) for recording.

Example:
Click Here to Hear an Example Recording of Baa Choo