Curricular Elements – Circle Time Part 1

~ teachsinger

The Curricular Elements I like to include in the day are:

  • Circle Time – a gathering for the purpose of setting a mood and introducing a unit
  • Center Time – opportunities for chosen activities in using all 6 Learning Methods*
  • Literacy Events – formal reading opportunities
  • Gross Motor Time – planned, active, physical movement opportunities
  • Music – opportunities for song, dance, chant, listening, and creation of music
  • Group Times – opportunities for individual, small, and whole group learning
  • Home Connection – an active ‘assignment” for family participation in learning

Circle Time – This is a teacher-initiated but child-centered and child-inclusive meeting which sets the mood for the day and introduces the unit of study through use of:

  • Greeting Ritual – cheer, chant, song, or affirmation to build community
  • Relaxation Technique – breathing/stretching/yoga exercise to “get the wiggles out” 
  • Catalyst – book, song, challenge, or activity that sparks interest in the day’s unit 
  • Brainstorming – a full group opportunity to share words, thoughts, ideas, memories
  • Word Wall – the recording of the words, thoughts, ideas, and memories
  • Selection – an opportunity for each child to select where and how to begin to work

Circle Time may be held at any point in the day, but seems most appropriate early in the day as it sets the mood and introduces the choices available for interaction.  If all children arrive at once, this is a good way to begin the day.  If the children arrive individually at varying times, it is better to have quiet child-chosen activities available until all have arrived, and then begin Circle.  A Dismissal Circle for sending the community of learners home with warmth and positivity, offering a time for Reflection, and a reminder about the Home Connection may also be held. Some programs call Circle Time, Morning (or Afternoon) Meeting or the Gathering.

Circle Time is not normally used with the Infant community, but can be done in a VERY informal way for Babies, a more formal way for Toddlers, and should be handled formally but developmentally for all older learners. Circle must last only for a developmentally appropriate time but must include both active and quiet activities, both teacher-led and child-involved activities, and a time of whole group work and individual input.

NO FLAG POKING! – Many teachers insist on a daily Circle Time ritual of checking thekid with flag weather and “teaching” the calendar, but this is not vital and the methods used to review calendar skills MUST be developmentally appropriate. Circle Time is used to set a mood of eagerness to learn, to introduce the work of the day with excitement and wonder, and to encourage self-expression and develop skills in all areas. I really, really dislike that daily repetitive system of “learning the calendar”.  It takes up way too much time that could be spent on allowing the children to talk, sing, dance, and actively involve themselves in learning.  By the time you have asked, “What day is it? What was yesterday? What is tomorrow?  What month is it?  What year is it?” and they all scream in unison (with half of them getting it wrong) “FRIDAY!!!,” and then choose a flag holder who pokes his friends in the eye as he waves the flag and you all sing a patriotic song or recite the Pledge, they are already beginning to veg out and be tired of Circle Time and you still haven’t gotten to any useful learning. 

So, if you feel you MUST “teach” the calendar (which, by the way does not make sense to the brain until that brain is seven years old, no matter what your curriculum goals say) be creative in getting this information into your children’s heads in other ways.  How about saying, “Good morning, Bees.  Look at the calendar.  Yesterday was Sunday.  I went to church.  What did you do?” Get THEIR personal stories or just let them call out what they did and say, “Today is Monday.  MMMMMonday starts with letter M.  I’m writing that on our word wall.  Let’s sing the days of the week song in a funny voice”.  Everybody sings and giggles and then you start to introduce the work of the day or move to repeating the Pledge (with a poker-free flag) singing a good morning song, or reciting a mood setting prayer.

Check out these alternative calendar teaching techniques: 

 

Next Blog: Circle Time Part 2 – How to Do a Circle Time

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