Preschool Center Times and Extension activities are located throughout each unit and updated monthly to reflect the current theme. Center Times provide a means to reinforce the lesson activities through independent work tasks at different centers. Extension activities provide additional content to expand learning from the lessons and unit theme.
How do Center Times and Extensions fit into Unique Learning System?
Service providers can reference the Suggested Unit Pacing to see how Center Times and Extensions fit into their overall schedule and for recommendations on how much time to allow for them when setting up their Teacher Dashboard.
Every Center Time and Extension includes Instructional Targets that reflect the essential content of grade level standards. These standards for early childhood are identified in two groups: Toddler (3–4 years) and Pre-Kindergarten (4-5 years). Additionally, the differentiated task descriptors define how unique learners will have access to essential content of the standards.
For more detailed information about Instructional Targets and Differentiated Tasks within lessons, please reference the article Unique Learning System Lesson Plans.
Service providers can also reference the Scope and Sequence for English Language Arts and Math for additional information on the Foundational Skills that Center Times address. Scope and Sequence documentation can be found in Unique Learning System > Teacher Reference Materials > Instructional Guides > Helpful References. Center Times are indicated by the abbreviation CT within the Scope and Sequence documents.
How can I quickly locate Center Times and Extensions and included printable resources?
The Centers and Extensions included in each lesson are listed on the Lesson at a Glance page.
Please note that in addition to directions in the Lesson Plan, some Center Times and Extensions also include printables that are only accessible via the PDF version of the lesson.
The PDF version of each lesson is located in the Monthly Lessons section of Unique Learning System by selecting the PDF tab next to the desired lesson. Additional details about the PDF format can be found here.
A summary of the monthly Center Times and Extensions are available below, listed out by lesson:
Center Time / Extension |
Lesson |
Bulletin Board Extension |
Lesson 1 |
Writing Center |
Lessons 5*, 14 & 15* |
Listening Center |
Lessons 6 & 7 |
ABC Literacy Center |
Lessons 8 & 15 |
Math Center |
Lessons 9*, 13 & 16* |
Library Center |
Lesson 11 |
Art Center |
Lesson 11 & 14 |
Fine Motor Center |
Lesson 21* |
Fine Motor Extension |
Lesson 21 |
Sensory Table Center |
Lesson 21 |
Gross Motor Extension |
Lesson 22 |
Science Center |
Lesson 23 |
Snack Extension |
Lesson 25 |
*Includes printable student resources available only in the PDF. |
Lesson |
Center Time / Extension With Description |
Lesson 1 |
Bulletin Board Extension Two Bulletin Board ideas are provided each month that follow the unit theme and extend learning from the Leveled Book (Lesson 1) and Easy Read Book (Lesson 3). |
Lesson 5 |
Writing Center This Center Time has two activities.
|
Lesson 6 |
Listening Center This Listening Center Time features fingerplays / poems / songs that are updated each month to reflect the unit theme. |
Lesson 7 |
Listening Center This Center Time provides activities to continue a student's phonemic learning. Activities are updated monthly to reflect the current unit theme. These activities encourage students to listen to sounds and/or rhymes as they learn about spoken language. |
Lesson 8 |
ABC Center The ABC Literacy Center Time includes letter art for each letter that is introduced that month. This Center provides an example and written directions on how to create each letter. This Center also includes links to YouTube videos for each letter. |
Lesson 9 |
Math Center This Math Center Time features a sorting activity. Pictures are provided for service providers to cut out for students to sort according to the theme. It includes a printable sorting mat and Manipulatives. |
Lesson 11 |
Library Center The Library Center Time includes a list of theme-related books. Learn more here. Art Center This Art Center Time provides an art activity that compliments the trade book that is highlighted in the monthly unit. |
Lesson 13 |
Math Center This Math Center Time focuses on creating a pattern. New activities are included each month that reflect the current theme. |
Lesson 14 |
Writing Center This Writing Center Time includes Color Story Templates for students to fill in with Picture/Word Cards to indicate what objects are the colors being featured each month. Art Center This Art Center Time provides art activities that highlight the colors being featured each month. |
Lesson 15 |
Writing Center This Writing Center Time contains three activities.
ABC Literacy Center This Center Time contains the Kinesthetic Letters activity.
|
Lesson 16 |
Math Center This Center Time provides two activities. The first activity encourages students to make pictures or collages using the shape of the month. The second activity provides students with a Shape Mat to encourage students to use the shape of the month to break apart and put together again. |
Lesson 21 |
Fine Motor Extension This Extension provides service providers with 2-3 different fine motor activities to be placed in the center. Please note materials are not provided. Fine Motor Center This Center Time contains 1-2 activities for service providers to use. It frequently includes play dough mats where students can use play dough to finish a scene. Please note, these are printable via the PDF version of the lesson. Sensory Table Center The Sensory Table Center Time includes 1-2 ideas of how to set the sensory table in a way related to the unit theme. |
Lesson 22 |
Gross Motor Extension The Gross Motor Extension provides service providers with different gross motor activities they can do throughout the month. |
Lesson 23 |
Science Center The Science Center Time provides 2-3 different Science Center activities that service providers can use in addition to the Science Exploration lesson. These activities are also theme related |
Lesson 25 |
Snack Extension This Extension provides 3-4 additional snack ideas that are theme related for service providers to use throughout the month. |