Learning Centers for School Libraries

Whether school librarians are overextended and rushing through classes or have more breathing room, they will appreciate this excellent guide to setting up learning centers, stations in the classroom or library where students can engage in self-directed activities. This superbly organized title is divided in two parts. The first defines learning centers and discusses the logistics of setting them up in libraries with different spaces, budgets, and schedules. Citing educational research, Madigan also discusses the benefits of learning centers, such as the opportunity to foster resiliency in students. The second part includes 25 ideas for learning centers, such as literacy centers (where kids can create book spine poetry or mini-anagrams) and technology centers (where students can create video book reviews). Readers will appreciate relevant learning standards, step-by-step instructions, lists of materials, and additional resources. Helpful tables offer an overview of all the stations in the book, timing for varying schedules, materials for different budgets, and more. Don’t skip the appendix, which offers even more ideas.