WHY?
This is an alternative to the traditional circle time or morning meeting. You might not want to do it at the beginning of the school year, but as skills and content expand, it could be a way to increase children's attention span and interest.HOW?
Think about using the four walls in your classroom with the visuals and the activities below. The children can stand and walk around the room to face the flag, calendar (math/science), word wall, and classroom alphabet. Integrate appropriate songs and movement activities to reinforce these skills.
Note! This strategy could easily be adapted for different age levels and concepts.
My World
What? flag, US map, poster of handshakes, classroom rules
How? Sing a good morning song, say the pledge, do a handshake, review rules, etc.
Calendar/Math/Science
What? calendar, weather chart, hundreds chart, daily schedule
How? Sing songs about the days of the week or the months, review your daily schedule. Sing the weather song and have a “meteorologist” report. Count, add boys and girls, think of equations that equal the date, etc.
Word Wall
What? word wall, flashlight, pointer, fly swatter
How? Sing, dance, clap, and cheer words. Make sentences with words, play games, spotlight words, spell words with sign language, etc.
Alphabet Wall
What? class alphabet, pointers
How? Sing alphabet songs and play letter recognition games. Clap on consonants and jump on vowels. Do Karate writing where children punch up high for tall letters, punch in front of them for middle letters, and give a little kick for letters with a tail.
Note! This strategy could easily be adapted for different age levels and concepts.
My World
What? flag, US map, poster of handshakes, classroom rules
How? Sing a good morning song, say the pledge, do a handshake, review rules, etc.
What? calendar, weather chart, hundreds chart, daily schedule
How? Sing songs about the days of the week or the months, review your daily schedule. Sing the weather song and have a “meteorologist” report. Count, add boys and girls, think of equations that equal the date, etc.
Word Wall
What? word wall, flashlight, pointer, fly swatter
How? Sing, dance, clap, and cheer words. Make sentences with words, play games, spotlight words, spell words with sign language, etc.
What? class alphabet, pointers
How? Sing alphabet songs and play letter recognition games. Clap on consonants and jump on vowels. Do Karate writing where children punch up high for tall letters, punch in front of them for middle letters, and give a little kick for letters with a tail.