DIY Preschool Morning Circle Time (Part I)

Updated 11/19/15: Video added to the bottom.

When I jumped into this preschool ball game a few months ago, I was overwhelmed to say the least. Preschool is so different from middle school in SO many ways, and middle school is the only thing I’ve ever taught.

Even working as an ECE (Early Childhood Educator) is much different from trying to create my own in home preschool.

So I decided to start small.

Circle Time!

I’ve seen it in day cares, observations in elementary classrooms, and working as a para, so I knew it was something I could tackle.

In talking with a friend about trying to home school preschoolers I realized that I was not alone in the world of preschool mayhem. I wanted to write this not only for her but also for anyone else out there that is trying, but is just so completely overwhelmed by information and amazing PINS on Pinterest.

My hope is that this will give you what you need, just the basics, and the confidence to get you started with a Circle Time/ Morning Board and then you can tackle the whole preschool world.

What You Will Need:

1.The Board – You can easily use a small tri-fold board from the Dollar Store. I used an old dry erase board and covered it with fabric. I’ve seen these activities just placed on poster boards in a corner or wall somewhere in your home.

Section 1: The Calendar

2. Calendar – I believe you can purchase these from the Dollar Store or Wal-Mart. I used an old one from my classroom days. You could easily use a poster board, too.

3. Months and Days – I printed off a generic set of numbers, from Doodle Bugs Teaching, and laminated them. I also used velcro circles, which makes it easier for my little ones to put the numbers on and take them off.

I did print a themed set of the 12 months. I also laminated them, just to prevent the basic wear and tear. You can find them here, by Confessions of a Homeschooler.

4. Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow- I love this sequencing chart by Confessions of a Homeschooler. Not only does it reiterate the day of the week, but it also helps with sequencing, and is just more practice with helping the kids learn the days of the week.

5. Days of the Week: I printed larger days of the week and placed them beside the calendar for easier access while we are singing the songs.

Now that you have all of the supplies to create your calendar, below you will find a list of activities that I personally use on a daily basis in our circle times.

Activities for Calendar Time: 

1. We start calendar time by singing one of the “Months of the Year” songs.

You can go to Wildflower Ramblings for a complete set of specific monthly themed chants. I absolutely love them!

Or you can use these:

Month’s of the Year song: (To Ten Little Indians)

January, February, March, and April

May, June, July, and August

September, October, November, and December

These are the months of the year.

Month’s of the Year song: (To the Macarena)

• January (Right hand out)
• February (Left hand out)
• March (Right hand palm up)
• And April (Left hand palm up)
• May (Right hand on left shoulder)
• June (Left hand on right shoulder)
• July (Right hand on right ear)
• And August (Left hand on left ear)
• September (Right hand on left hip)
• October (Left hand on right hip)
• November (Right hand on right hip)
• December (Left hand on left hip)
• 12 months in a year! (Hop in circle as singing)

2. Then I have one of my kiddos place today’s date on the board, and we go back to the first of the month and count all the way to the date. Pointing and Counting together if necessary.

3. Next, we talk about the days of the week by singing any one or all the “Days of the Weeks” songs.

You can go to Teacherland for a super cute complete set of circle time songs, that you can put on a ring for easy access.

Days of the Week song: (To the tune of Adam’s Family”)

• Days of the week (clap clap)
• Days of the week (clap clap)
• Days of the week (clap clap)
• Days of the week, Days of the week, Days of the week
• There’s Sunday and there’s Monday,
• there’s Tuesday & there’s Wednesday,
• there’s Thursday & there’s Friday
• and then there’s Saturday!
• Days of the week (clap, clap)

4. As we sing, I have my kiddos point to the days of the week that I have printed on the board. I’ve found that this helps my oldest remember their order better, we also use this for the sequencing activity.

5.  The sequencing activity is next. We complete the chart and use the printed days or the songs to help refresh our memory if necessary. Then, we sing this song:

Alternate Days of the Week Song: (To the tune of “frere Jacque”)

• Today Is Monday, Today is Monday
• All Day Long, All Day Long
• Yesterday was Sunday
• Tomorrow will be Tuesday
• All Day Long, All Day Long

6. We end with repeating the days date, sometimes numerous times. 🙂

Ex. Today is Monday, November ____, 2015.

*****************************************************************************

This is just the first half of our circle time/ morning board activities. The second half will be explained in Part 2 of this post.

I hope that you have found this useful. I’ve learned that singing songs and incorporating physical activity into our circle time not only increases my kiddo’s engagement but it also helps them retain the information better.

The amazing moms and teachers that I have mentioned above have graciously supplied free printables for personal homeschooling use. Using what is available and what you may already have at home, you can easily create a calendar that is perfect for you and your kiddos.

Please know that a ton  of other options exist in terms of calendar embellishments, feel free to shop around. These are just the ones that I personally chose to use. My plan for this post was not to overwhelm you further but to give you the basics, here they are.

Please feel free to comment or email if you have any questions. I’d be happy to help in any way possible. I’d also love to see the amazing calendars that you may already be using in your preschool.

Enjoy!

Dani

Our School Board, as B calls it!

 

 

This is a typical circle time / morning board at our house. The two little one join in for taking pieces off and putting them on as well as for the singing. B wants to be totally independent and just do it “ALL BY HERSELF”.

I hope you enjoy!