Personal Thoughts on Circle Time – Call Circle time anything that suits your community (Morning/Afternoon Meeting, Group Time, Community Time, Team Time, Gathering, or use your community’s name –Tiger Talk or Mouse Meeting or the Bee Buzz.

Teachers, you set the stage and guide the conversation so there is continuity, common sense, and organization of thought.  You set the parameters of the expression.  Accept and respect their input, but keep it within the bounds of good taste and assist them in keeping on target.  Although it is REALLY IMPORTANT to let the children take the lead in the discussions, try to limit the far-fetchedness that young children (especially 4s) can sometimes go to

In every instance of allowing children the freedom to choose, select, or make their own decisions, the teacher must limit the choices to ONLY developmentally appropriate things.

A second Circle Time at the end of the day is a lovely way to review and reinforce the learning (Reflection) and to close the learning community’s time together with an optimistic and positive tone.  A community goodbye song or a team huddle with a hands-in-“BEES!” sends everyone home feeling good.

For Circle Time to Work Well – Teachers need to have an ample comfortable space for the whole group in which each child can sit comfortably and be able to see the teacher, her presentation props, and each other. 

Sitting mats with names or symbols on them or assigned seating on a rug with symbols works well, but is not mandatory.  Space and comfort are the main concerns. 

Whenever possible, both teachers should participate in Circle Time, rather than one (often the Assistant) disappearing to the office, setting up snacks, or running errands.  ALL members of the community should participate.  Props needed for Circle Time depend on the unit being introduced, but I suggest they include large chart paper or wipe-off board and markers for creating Word Walls and some type of media for the catalyst that can be seen, heard, touched, smelled, or tasted.

It does not matter how the children sit as long as they are comfortable and not encroaching on each other’s personal space without mutual approval!!!!!

Our Biggest Circle Time Errors are:

• Dragging things out until the children have totally lost interest.  Know your ‘audience’ and know when to STOP. 
• Taking over Circle Time ourselves and not allowing the children to talk and interact.  We are not the stars of the show, but merely the stage setters.  The children MUST be the central figures in the learning process.
• Forcing children to sit ‘criss cross applesauce’ or ‘straight and tall’ when they must be seated comfortably; so all can see props; and so they can wiggle when they must.
• Forcing or continuously admonishing children to “LISTEN”. If you are asking them over and over to listen, you have ‘circled’ past their attention span!
• Starting a presentation before assuring that all children can see you as you read or show them something.           
• Trying to get too much information into a short period of time.  You can talk more about the topic during Center Time as you move from child to child interacting with them, at the meal or snack table, on the playground, while you’re washing hands or changing diapers, and especially during any waiting times (which we hope are very brief).
• Omitting any of the Circle Time Components:

Greeting Ritual
Relaxation Technique
Catalyst
Challenge
Brainstorm
Word Wall
Selection

Next Blog: Center Time 1 – What it is and What it Ain’t