Circle Time Activity Outline: 15-20 minutes
(I would like to ask all parents to be involved with and sit with their children during circle time to encourage them to participate. I believe that children learn in ALL situations, so if a child does not want to sit and watch that is okay, they are still learning!)
1.) Open with a hello song:
1.) Open with a hello song:
Sung by parents and eventually the children. Children LOVE to hear music and sing songs, especially songs sung by their parents! This song will introduce the children and bring them into the circle for learning.
Hello Song
Sung to: "Three Blind mice"
Hello, (child's name). Hello, (child's name).How are you? How are you?We're glad you're here to laugh and play,We hope you'll have some fun today,You're welcome, welcome everyday.To our playschool.
2.) What Day is it?: This is a way to introduce children to the days of the week. A simple craft made calendar with laminated days of the week that attaches by Velcro to the calendar.
3.) How is the Weather?: Have laminated sun, rain clouds, etc… and show the children each and ask what is the weather like outside. Then, place the sun etc… on the calendar under the day of the week.
(I do not currently have these items: calendar, laminated days of the week, laminated weather objects made. Would some of our crafters be willing to make the items mentioned or does someone have these items already we can use?)
Curricula examples 1-3 and 7 would be routine for each circle time to provide structure for the children before we transition into the changing learning activities for each circle time.
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4.) Introduction to Animal, Letter, and Number of the day: (Does anyone have a stuffed Ape?)
Today I want you to meet a friend of mine; he is an Ape (Ape prop) and his name is Arnold. Arnold and Ape start with the letter, Aa (show the letter) Arnold the ape is 1 year old (show the number 1). Arnold the Ape brought some of his favorite things that start with the letter Aa: One apple, one apron, and one airplane!
(Have a stuffed ape and/or picture of an Ape with his name and the letter Aa written on the page. Talk about what sounds the ape makes and where he lives, what he eats, etc…)
Arnold wants you to sing a song with him; do you want to stand and sing a song with Arnold?
One Little Hand: Sung standing
One little hand goes clap, clap, clap (hand claps floor),
One little foot goes tap, tap, tap,
One little hand goes thump, thump, thump (fist against floor)
One little foot goes jump, jump, jump, (jump on one foot)
One little boy/girl turns around,
One little child sits quietly down.
(Sung to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" )
5.) Introduction to Shape and Color:
I also have another friend with me today who is anxious to meet you!! Her name is Anne, which also starts with the letter Aa. Anne is a shape; do you know what shape Anne is? Anne is a CIRCLE (show Anne the circle decorated). Circles are round like a ball, the sun, an orange, and penny (have as props). Anne the circle wants to sing a song about circles!
Hello Song
Sung to: "Three Blind mice"
Hello, (child's name). Hello, (child's name).How are you? How are you?We're glad you're here to laugh and play,We hope you'll have some fun today,You're welcome, welcome everyday.To our playschool.
2.) What Day is it?: This is a way to introduce children to the days of the week. A simple craft made calendar with laminated days of the week that attaches by Velcro to the calendar.
3.) How is the Weather?: Have laminated sun, rain clouds, etc… and show the children each and ask what is the weather like outside. Then, place the sun etc… on the calendar under the day of the week.
(I do not currently have these items: calendar, laminated days of the week, laminated weather objects made. Would some of our crafters be willing to make the items mentioned or does someone have these items already we can use?)
Curricula examples 1-3 and 7 would be routine for each circle time to provide structure for the children before we transition into the changing learning activities for each circle time.
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4.) Introduction to Animal, Letter, and Number of the day: (Does anyone have a stuffed Ape?)
Today I want you to meet a friend of mine; he is an Ape (Ape prop) and his name is Arnold. Arnold and Ape start with the letter, Aa (show the letter) Arnold the ape is 1 year old (show the number 1). Arnold the Ape brought some of his favorite things that start with the letter Aa: One apple, one apron, and one airplane!
(Have a stuffed ape and/or picture of an Ape with his name and the letter Aa written on the page. Talk about what sounds the ape makes and where he lives, what he eats, etc…)
Arnold wants you to sing a song with him; do you want to stand and sing a song with Arnold?
One Little Hand: Sung standing
One little hand goes clap, clap, clap (hand claps floor),
One little foot goes tap, tap, tap,
One little hand goes thump, thump, thump (fist against floor)
One little foot goes jump, jump, jump, (jump on one foot)
One little boy/girl turns around,
One little child sits quietly down.
(Sung to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" )
5.) Introduction to Shape and Color:
I also have another friend with me today who is anxious to meet you!! Her name is Anne, which also starts with the letter Aa. Anne is a shape; do you know what shape Anne is? Anne is a CIRCLE (show Anne the circle decorated). Circles are round like a ball, the sun, an orange, and penny (have as props). Anne the circle wants to sing a song about circles!
Circle Song:
Circles go round and round,
Circles go round and round,
No corners, no sides,
Circles go round and round!
What shape is Anne the circle?
What color is Anne the CIRCLE? She is RED (flash card of red)! Anne the circle brought along some of her favorite red things. She likes red apples, ketchup that is red, a fire truck, and of course RED CIRCLES(have theses items as props)!!! Her favorite color is RED(flash card of red)! What color and shape is Anne?
Anne the red circle wants you to sing a song with her about the color red.
The Color Red Song:
(All children wear an article of clothing that is Red.)
______________(child's name) has red socks, red socks, red socks,
______________(child's name) has red socks on today.
(go around circle, describing an article of red clothing each child is wearing.)
6.) Story Time:
My friends Arnold the Ape and Anne the circle want you to listen to a story with them.
(Any story or one that relates to numbers, letters, shapes, colors, etc…)
7.) Goodbye Song: Remains the same each time.
Good-bye________(child's name)
Good-bye________Good-bye________
We're happy you were here.
*** Craft Time:
For each concept learned there would be a handout, for example: Arnold the Ape, the letter Aa, the number 1 that they can color. Also, handouts of a red circle that children can decorate with their parents either at the end of circle time or at home. Also a handout of of things that are red and one of things that are circles.
ITEMS TO BE BROUGHT TO CIRCLE TIME:
1.) Each child should wear an article of clothing, shoes, etc... that is red.
2.) Crayons
I will provide all handouts and props for circle time. If someone has an ape that I can borrow that would be great! Would anyone be interested in making the props for weather and what day is it? This can just be a simple felt board or laminated cardboard to place by Velcro laminated days of the week and weather objects on.
