CIRCLE TIME FOREVER

You know I’ve been at this rodeo a LONG time, but before they put me out to the pasture, I want to keep all the ideas I’ve gleaned along the way alive and I want them available for you. I am a broken record saying, “THE WORLD KEEPS CHANGING, BUT CHILDREN ARE THE SAME.” The activities I used in my classroom years ago will still work for you today. You can call it circle time, or morning meeting, or anything you want, but the bottom line is it’s a special way to start your day.  

P.S.  I actually think the world would be a better place if we all started our day with circle time!

What if someone says that circle time is a waste of time?
What would you respond? Do you really think it’s a waste of time? Most of us who have actually sat in a circle with our children to start the day realize it is MAGIC! It is the way to connect with your children, nurture your classroom family, develop social /emotional skills, and set the stage for the day. Since standards and skills are driving education, take a look at these skills that can be nurtured in a natural way at circle time.

Oral language– Children learn to feel comfortable talking in a group and expressing their thoughts and opinions. They also learn to listen to their classmates and respect their ideas.

Literacy skills– Alphabet songs, phonological awareness activities, choral reading, nursery rhymes, finger plays, daily message, and classroom print can be highlighted at circle time.

Math concepts– Talking about the calendar, counting the friends present, comparing sizes, or discussing shapes can be a meaningful part of circle time.

Executive function– As children learn to sit quietly and participate in a group they are developing self-regulation. There is also a beginning and an end to the routine.

Classroom management– This is a time when the teacher can reinforce simple skills, explain classroom activities, review the daily schedule, and model expectations.

Social skills– Learning to take turns and listen to classmates is expected in circle time. As children sing songs together or say rhymes or finger plays they can have fun with their friends. At this group time you can brainstorm classroom problems – tattling, hurting someone’s feelings, pushing in line, etc.

Emotional skills– In circle time all children can be accepted and valued for their individuality. Feelings that we are all different, but that’s O.K., are of primary focus.

Physical skills– Dances and movement songs release wiggles and oxygenate the brain. Cross-lateral activities activate the brain and get it ready to learn.

Science & Social Studies– Talking about the weather, the leaves changing colors, the different ways families celebrate, classroom pets, and real events in the children’s world are meaningful topics at circle time. Specific themes and units of study can also be integrated into this large group time.

Fall in Love with Books- Circle time can be used for book walks, talks, themes, and bibliotherapy.



We Can Make a Circle
This is a precious song to gather the children and make a circle. It goes to the tune of “Lassie and Laddie.” Take the hands of several children and slowly walk in a circle as you sing.

We can make a circle, a circle, a circle.
We can make a circle and hold hands right now.
Hold hands with a friend, a circle never ends.
We can make a circle and hold hands right now.
Hint! Continue singing the song until all the children have joined hands to make a circle. Sit down and you’re ready to begin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b74N-h_4oB4 

BACK TO SCHOOL BOOKS

These are some simple books that you can make to create interest in reading and nurture your classroom community.

I Like to Come to School
(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")
I like to come to school.
I like to come to school.
I like to learn and play each day
I like to come to school.

I like to make new friends…
I like to read and write…
I like to do math…
I like to sing and draw…/

*Ask children other things they like about school and insert their suggestions in the song.
*Write children’s suggestions on sentence strips and use in a pocket chart.

*Make a class book where each child draws a picture about wh
at they like best at school. They can dictate or write a sentence to go with their drawings. Read the book several times to the class and then allow children to “check it out” and take it home.




Glue each child's photo on a sheet of paper and write “Hello, (child’s name).” at the top. Punch holes in the pages and put them together with book rings. (If you bind the book on the bottom it will be easy to turn the pages as you hold it in your lap.)

Use the book in the following ways:

* Circle or Group Time: Start your day by reading the book together and saying hello to each other.

* Questions: Use the book when you want to ask the class questions. Randomly turn to a page and call on that child to answer the question. This will allow “thinking time” and discourage children from shouting out the answer.

* Transitions: Use this book to dismiss children for learning centers, to line up, and other transitions. Flip through the book and hold up different pictures. As the children see their photo, they may be dismissed, line up, and so on.

* Sing and read this book to the tune of “Good Night, Ladies.”
Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
We're glad you're in our room.


Who Do You See?
We all know wonderful Bill Martin’s “Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?” Your children will love saying and “reading” this version with you. Put each child’s photo on a page with this chant at the top:


(Child’s name), (child’s name), who do you see?
On the bottom of the page write:
I see (second child’s) name looking at me.
On the last add the teacher’s photo with this rhyme:
Children, children, who do you see?
I see (teacher’s name) looking at me.
(Teacher’s name), (teacher’s name), who do you see?
I see happy children ready to learn with me!

*Make two copies of this book so one child can take it home each day to share with their families.

*Introduce children to school helpers with a similar book with the principal, secretary, custodian, nurse, PE teacher, music teacher, and other specialists.

*Carolyn Kisloski takes a picture of the children's shoes to make this book..."Whose shoes do you see?"

The Name of My School
Do you get tired of children saying, “Teacher, teacher!” the first few days of school. This song will enable them to learn the name of their teacher, school, principal, as well as their community, city, state, and country. Take photographs of yourself, the principal, the school, your community, and so forth. Glue pictures to construction paper and write a verse similar to those below on each page. Sing the words to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus.”

The name of my school is (school’s name),
school’s name), (school’s name).
The name of my school is (school’s name).
That’s the name of my school.
The name of my teacher is (teacher’s name), (teacher’s name),
(teacher’s name)…

The name of my principal is…
The name of my librarian is…
The name of my P.E. teacher is…



Hint! Make a similar book for social studies concepts.
The name of my city is...
The name of my state is...
The name of my country is...
The name of my continent is...
The name of my planet is...
Hint! You could also include the name of your mayor, governor, President, etc.

EASY PEASY NAME CARDS

How can something so simple be used in so many ways? Make name cards and you’ll be able to use them to help children get to know their classmates, plus:

print connections
alphabet knowledge
phonological awareness,
motivation to read
transitions
classroom management
writing

Directions: Write each child’s name on a card and glue their picture on the right as shown. Store the name cards in a box or basket.

Sign In
Place name cards by a large sheet of paper. Each day when children come to school they can find their card and write their name on the chart.

Writing Center
Keep cards in the writing center so children can use their friends’ names to write stories, notes, etc.

Transitions
Pull names to line up, answer questions, go to centers, etc.

Seating
Place cards on the rug before circle time. Children find their name and sit in that spot. (The cards can be used in a similar manner for snack or table activities.)
NOTE! This is a perfect way to separate children who challenge you.

Mystery Name
Choose one child’s name each day and place it in an envelope. Give clues about the consonants and vowels in the name. For example, “This person’s name has one vowel and it is in the middle.” Write an “a” on the envelope. “Whose name could it be? This name has a /t/ sound at the end.” Write a “t” on the envelope. “Anybody guess whose name this might be? There is a /p/ at the beginning of this name.” Write a “P” on the envelope. “Stand up if this is your name.” Pull the name card from the envelope to verify.



BINGO
Give children dry cereal or buttons and let them play Bingo with their name cards. As you call out letters they cover them up if they are in their name.

Hint! As children become familiar with their names, let them choose a symbol or sticker to replace their photo. During the next stage, write each child’s name using a different color for the first letter in their name. Finally, just use cards with the children’s names.

THAT'S MY NAME

Names are very important to children. (Call them by the wrong name and they will let you know about it!) Here are some songs and chants you can use to help the children learn their classmates’ names as you nurture your “classroom family.”

Who Ate the Cookie?
Child’s name ate the cookie (Hold up name card.)
in the cookie jar.
Who me? (First child responds.)
Yes you. (Class chants.)
Couldn’t be? (First child.)
Then who? (Class chants.)
Second child’s name ate (Hold up another name.)
the cookie in the cookie jar…

*Cut out paper cookies and write the children’s names on them. Store in an empty cookie box and use as you say the chant.

*Cut out gingerbread cookies. Glue children’s faces on the head and write their names on the bodies. Add a strip of magnetic tape to the back and these can be used for signing in, the question of the day, or graphs.



*Make cookies and glue the child’s photo to one side and print their name on the other side. Place the cookies face down on the floor. Children try to read their friends’ names and then flip over with a spatula to confirm.



Hickety Pickety
(Clap hands and snap fingers.)
Hickety, pickety bumblebee
Who can say their name for me? Child’s name.
Clap it. (Clap out syllables as you say the name.)
Snap it. (Snap syllables in name.)
Whisper it. (Whisper name.)
No sound. (Lip sinc name.)

Name Cheer
(Cheer each child’s name.)Give me a ‘K’.
‘K’ - I’ve got a ‘K,’ you’ve got a ‘K.’
Give me an ‘i’…Give me an ‘M’
What’s it spell? ‘Kim’ Say it again. ‘Kim’ One more time. ‘Kim’ Yeah!!!

Shakey, Shakey
(Clap hands or slap knees.)
Child’s name, child’s name sick in bed.
Called the doctor and the doctor said,
“Get up child’s name, you’re not sick.
All you need is an exercise trick.”
So hands up, and shakey, shakey, shakey.
Get down and shakey, shakey, shakey.
Turn around and shakey, shakey, shakey.
Sit down and shakey, shakey, shakey.

Hint! When doing these chants, never force children to participate. If you have a very shy child, I would ask them if they would like you to use their name. Often, they want to hear their name, but they don’t want to stand up and dance.

Little Red Box
(Tune: “Polly Wolly Doodle”)
I wish I had a little red box
To put my child’s name in. (Hold up name card.)
I’d take him/her out and go,
“How do you do?” (Pretend to shake hand.)
And put him/her back again.
*Sing “Hug, hug, hug” instead of “How do you do?” as you pretend to hug.
Cover a small box with red paper and insert the name cards. Pull out one at a time as you sing the song.




Pick It Up
Have children stand in a circle. Spread name cards in the middle on the floor. The children find their name and pick it up when you sing it in this song that goes to the tune of "If You're Happy."
If your name is child's name pick it up.
If your name is second child's name pick it up.
If your name is third child's name pick it up.
If your name is fourth child's name pick it up.




Letter Song
(Tune: “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Use the first letter of each child’s name as you sing.

W is for Will,
W is for Will,
W is for Will,
And he’s a friend of mine.

BINGO
(Traditional Tune)
There is a friend in our class
And David is his name-o.
D – A – V – I - D
D – A – V – I - D
D – A – V – I - D
And David is his name-o.
*Hint! You may have to be creative as you use different children’s names in this song. Short names you will have to stretch out and long names try using the first five letters.

CLASSROOM MAKEOVER

Ready or not, the school bell will be ringing soon! 

If you’re starting to worry about getting your room decorated for the first day of school have I got a great idea for you!!!! Wrap yellow caution tape around your door and post a sign that says “Under Construction.” Explain to the parents that you are trying to develop a classroom community and you want your students to decorate their own learning environment. Invite parents to come back at the end of the week to see what their children have created!

Hint!!! Clare Ashford has a great idea to take “under construction” one step further.
“Before Meet the Teacher night (before school starts), I wrap all my bookcases, computers, etc. in butcher paper and then put an ‘under construction’ sign on them. It serves 2 purposes. 1- that way kids don't get into things while I'm busy talking to people! and 2- we ‘unwrap’ the items together as a class when we're ready to use whatever it is. It is very helpful and makes for an organized start to the year!”

Here are some crafts your students can make to decorate the classroom.

Welcome to the Neighborhood
Make a house from construction paper for each child. Fold the paper in half vertically. Open. Fold in the top corners to the middle. Fold up the bottom. Let children write their name on the front of the house. They can open the house and draw their family. You could also ask child to bring in a photograph of their family. Add some trees and a school and you have a great bulletin board.

Class Quilt
Use group art to create a visual representation of the “community” in your classroom. Give each child a 9” square and have them decorate it with pictures of themselves, drawings of their families or favorite things, collage materials, etc. Punch holes in the corner of each square and tie together with yarn to make a quilt to display in the classroom or hallway.




Friendship Chain
Give each child a strip of construction paper to decorate with their name, symbols of favorite things, or designs. Staple the strips together to make a chain. Remind the children that your classroom is just like that chain. Everyone must work together to keep it connected and strong. Drape the chain over the doorway.

Display Pocket
Make a display pocket for each child from a file folder. Cut a 1 ¼” border around the top half of the file folder. Let children decorate it with their name and pictures. Laminate. Fold in half and staple to a bulletin board or tape to a cubby. Children can display their own work by slipping drawings, stories, etc. in the pocket.

Hint! You can also use a clear sheet protector to display children’s work.




Banners, Pennants, and Name Plates
Use construction to let children create banners or pennants that reflect them. They might include hobbies, favorite foods, pets, family members, goals, etc.

Fit Like a Puzzle
Take a large sheet of poster board and cut it into puzzle shapes. (You will need one puzzle piece for each child in the room. Mark the back of the piece with an “X” so they will know which side to decorate.) After the children have decorated their piece, challenge them to put their pieces together to make a puzzle. Glue pieces to another sheet of poster board to create a picture puzzle for your classroom.

I saw these positive bulletin boards several years ago when I visited a school.  Aren't they great?

CIRCLE TIME UNPLUGGED

HANDOUT FROM THE KICK START SUMMIT!

https://bit.ly/drJCircleTime

It's time to SHUT YOUR DOOR and start remembering why you became a teacher! Love them, play with them, and have fun with them! Oh, yeah, and teach them, too! Carolyn Kisloski and I created a packet called BACK TO SCHOOL HAPPIES a few years ago that we'd like to share with you. We can't solve all the world's problems, but we can give you something to make you smile and be excited to start your best year ever!

https://bit.ly/drJFreeBack

There are over 100 pages of hands-on learning activities with cheers, handshakes, attention grabbers, transitions, Prezis, management tips, brain breaks, finger plays, math, literacy, science, and seasonal lesson plans. There 15+ song downloads with books and visuals, as well as a video where Dr. Jean demonstrates the activities.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBZE86bnZGQ

CHEERS IN SPANISH

¡Salud! ¡Bravo! ¡Muy bien! 

Special thanks to Carla Ureno (El Paso ISD) who created these several years ago!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1661Fsc-Z8_GFz-ayqd79I4PZTq-KuydY/view?usp=sharingh

And thanks to Teacher Toni for the graphics and for making them the perfect size for a book ring.

And CHEERS for a new story created by Alex in English and Spanish! 

Handout - Espanol - https://bit.ly/drJGruffEspanol

Handout - English - https://bit.ly/drJGruffActivitiesEng

YouTube - Espanol - https://bit.ly/drJBillyGoatsEspanol

YouTube - English - https://bit.ly/drJGoatsGruff

        

GIVE ME A CHEER!

GIVE ME A CHEER!

You’ve never downloaded my cheer cards? Well, today is the day!

These cheer cards can be used to focus children’s attention and put a smile on their faces. Every child in your classroom can feel good with these cheers.

What? cheer cards, Cheerios box or Cheer detergent box, heavy paper, scissors

Why? attention grabbers, positive self-esteem, classroom family

When? Large group, small group, all day long

How? Copy the cheer cards below on heavy paper. Cut apart. Introduce one new cheer each day. Use the cheer throughout the day. At the end of the day take a Cheerios box or a Cheer detergent box and say, “We’ve learned a new cheer. Let’s save it in our “cheer box.”

Hint! You can also tape these cheers to a bulletin, classroom door, or the front of your desk.

*When you want to encourage a child, have her reach into the “cheer box” and lead the class in that cheer.

I have two different sets of cheer cards so you can choose the one that you like best.

http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2004/06_june/06_2004_pdf.html

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dr-Jeans-Cheer-Cards-1270706



Here are two videos where you can watch me demonstrate many of the cheers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWPA-jYdWe8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hsOFYEMSvI

TEACHER SURVIVAL GUIDE

Many years ago Drew Giles and I created a book called: 

TEACHER SURVIVAL GUIDE - WHAT THEY DIDN'T TEACH YOU IN COLLEGE. 

Drew has generously let me give you the link so that you can download it FREE!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljcjI0UVJYR05QcmM/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-GmNGIBdPSzzWAi0GZMkhUQ

It's so cool because there are little QR codes so you can watch me do all the songs, chants, tips and tricks! (Yeah, you know Drew did that part!) This is what you will find:

Good Morning Songs

Morning Meeting Ideas

Shake a Hand

Attention Grabbers

Line Up! Line Up!

Clean Up

So Long - Farewell

A Tune & Tip for Every Transition

A Pocketful of Props

Brain Breaks and Energizers

Cheers!

GREAT TEACHERS 116

Met some great teachers and gathered some fantastic ideas on St. Louis in 2014! 

Noodle Sensory Fun (Kyle Kranes)
Cut fun noodles into sections and let the children roll on their back, arms, legs, belly. It’s a great cool down and brain break – and perfect for sensory kids.

Line Up Call Back (Jeana Rhoades)
I say “line.”
You say “up.”
Line (teacher)
Up (Children)
I say “sit.”
You say “down.”
Sit (teacher)
Down (Children)
“Happy” – “Monday” etc.

Name Game Line Up (Heather Barrio)
Play the name game to transition to go home, outside, etc. The teacher picks a student to stand up. That student picks a friend to line up, and the game continues until one person is left. The last child gets to pick me!!! This activity helps children learn their classmates’ names. If a student says, “I don’t know her name.” Explain that they should say, “What’s your name, friend?” This also helps shy students engage with the group.

Vowel Flip Book (Krystal McVicker, American International School, Vietnam)
Make a flip book with 5 flaps. Write the vowels on the top of the outside. Children draw or cut out pictures with short vowel sounds and glue them under the correct vowel flap. 

     

*Another teacher shared that they use flip books to reinforce beginning reading and sight words like “the,” “a,” “I,” etc. Write “the” on the front of all four flips. Children open and draw a picture under each flap. Then they can read “the house,” “the sun,” and so forth.

Virtue Book (Jane Lake)
After studying virtues, make a booklet for each word and then let children illustrate it or cut pictures out of magazines. You could also call it a “Good Manners Book” or “My Best Behavior Book.”
Examples of virtues could be: be kind, think of others, love everyone, listen and watch, be eager and excited, share with others, try my best, be ready.

Fantastic Friends (Jane Lake)
At the beginning of the year (or for Valentine’s Day) make a book about friends.
1. A good friend is…
2. I’m a good friend when…
3. What friends like to do together…
4. Symbols of friendship…
5. Names of my friends…

Eye Ball Stories (Penny Salvato)
*I cracked up with this one! 

Penny makes "eye" pointers for her children.  She tells them that she collected the eyeballs on the playground from kids who played too rough!!!

GREAT TEACHERS 115

GOOD NEWS FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE IN 2016!

Personality Bag (Kathy Channon)
Find a large bag with a zipper and handles and put a note in similar to the one below:

Dear Families,
Your child is bringing home the personality bag which they need to fill with all the things that tell us about them. For example, a spoon for cooking, ballet slipper for dancing, photos of the family, hobby items, such as baseball cards, and so forth.

Each day at the beginning of the school year a child takes the bag home, fills it up, and then uses it to introduce themselves to their classmates.

Book Jackets (Rose)
Cut figures off book jackets and add a strip of Velcro to the back so the kids can use them to retell the story on a flannel board.
*You can also put magnetic tape on the back and use on a magnetic board.

Flip-a-roo (Rose)
Place the pencil point on the table pointing towards the child. Tell the child to pick it up and then push the top of the pencil “flip-a-roo” towards them and they’ll have the perfect pencil grasp.

My State Book
Make a state book based on your state flower, animal, famous people, state bird, capitol, flag, insect, famous places, etc. Children can become EXPERTS about their state.
For example: New Hampshire, New Hampshire, what do you see?
I see the Capitol in Concord looking at me.

Capitol in Concord, what do you see?
I see the purple lilac looking at me.
Dartmouth, Dartmouth, who do you see?
I see Dr. Seuss looking at me....

*The teacher who shared this idea said her kids loved reading this book and the parents were so impressed that their children knew more than they did about the state!

The Big Cheese (Michele Busby)
This is a counting game the children love. Start in a circle and the teacher chooses a number for the children to count up to. (At the beginning of the year you can practice up to five, but increase the number as the year progresses.) The teacher begins at 0 and each child calls out the next number. If “5” is the number then that child who says “5” must sit down. This continues as children count 0-5 around and around until there is only one person standing – THE BIG CHEESE!

*This counting game can be used for skip counting by 2’s, 5’s, 10’s. It is also great for counting on.

The Vowel Game (Similar to the Big Cheese)
Students stand in a circle and begin by singing the vowel song. (A E I O U, A E I O U, A E I O U, these are the vowels of the alphabet.) Students start saying the letters of the alphabet, but when they say a vowel they must sit down. This gets repeated until everyone is seated.

Bottle Cap Math/Reading (Kathy Channon)
Collect colored bottle caps (Boost works well) and write letters or numbers on them. You can also write punctuation marks or math signs (+ - =) on them. Use them in a center and children can make words, work out math problems, etc.
Adaptation: Go through magazines and cut out letters with all different kinds of fonts. Sort and the children can use these to glue words together.

Picnic Book with a Window
Cut a “window” out of one section of a picnic book and children can draw a secret picture inside.



Talking Key (Laurie)
Let children use a skeleton key to “turn on” their voice when sharing at circle. Pass the key around and the child holding the key gets to talk.

Quiet Lamp (Laurie)
Use a small fancy lamp and turn it on when it’s time to work. Children must be quiet and concentrate whenever the light is on, but when you turn it off the students may talk.

Incentive to Tie Shoes (Catherine)
As soon as your students can quickly and independently tie their shoes they are allowed to take their shoes off. This is a BIG DEAL and really motivates kids to learn and practice tying their shoes.
Tips: Shoes must be kept side by side at their desk.
Shoes can only be off when they are at their seats.
If there’s a fire drill don’t worry about putting your shoes back on.

Super Duper Number Troopers (Dee Kettlewood)
Here’s a game to reinforce odd and even numbers.
The children make 2 fists and that’s zero.
Put up one finger on right and say “1.” (“1” doesn’t have a partner so it’s odd.)
Put up one finger on left and say “2.” (That’s a partner so it’s even.)
Put up another finger on right and say “3.” (That’s odd.)
Put up another finger on left and say “4.” (That’s a partner so it’s even.)
Continue counting and saying if the number is odd or even.
When you do larger numbers just say like “30” and then count up from their on the fingers.