The tendency is to think that the main focus of circletime (or large group time) should be for giving instruction or for teaching. However, the real focus of circletime is to build a strong sense of community.Â
Circletime is used to do routine activities like the “helper of the day,” games, music, movement, and story telling but along the way, it is important to mindful of how circletime is helping everyone get to know each other and work together to have a great experience.
Here are some examples of what circletime looks like...
Simple shape games on the felt board
The kinds of games we play with the felt board are not all that complicated and all I really need are just a few bight and colorful felt pieces and I have everyone’s attention.
Drawing and story telling with a purple crayon
While I read the classic tale of “Harold and the Purple Crayon” to my students, I invited them to tell me their own purple crayon story.
An octopus has eight legs and so do we!
When I told the children that they actually can have eight legs like an octopus, they told me that this could not be possible. So I had to show them that they could!
Sorting recyclables in preschool
We’re celebrating Earth Day! A great way to show that we care about the Earth is by recycling. See how we sorted recyclables in preschool.
10 tips for circletime in the preschool classroom
Today I want to share with you ten tips for making circletime an engaging and interesting experience in the preschool classroom.
Lemon drop painting
Surely there is nothing that could brighten a cold winter day more than lemon drop painting. Come and see how we brightened our day with Lemon Drop Painting and more!
Who stole the candy from the candy cane jar?
Playing our own rendition of Who Stole the Candy from the Candy Cane Jar?
DIY mouse shape dice game
Playing our own DIY Mouse Shapes Dice game in preschool as a large group and in free play!
Touch and Feel Scarecrows
We played a simple game to take a look at the textures of our scarecrows a little more closely in preschool!
All you need is a box
A great way to ignite your students’ curiosity and expand their imagination! We spent quite a bit of time exploring different ways you can use
A story in a box
Telling the story and then inviting my entire class to join me to retell this wonderful story in a box together!
Identifying living and non-living things on the magnetic board
The children loved reaching in the mystery box to discover things that are living or nonliving!
Nuts about acorns in preschool | Lois Ehlert
Counting, estimating, and exploring acorns along with the wonderful children’s book “Nuts to You” by Lois Ehlert!
Ants in the salt tray plus more
Exploring ants in circletime then working on prewriting skills as we explore ants in the salt tray!
