Songs

• One great way to begin or end a Circle Time session is with a song. These fun and quirky songs are often memorized by kids, and many get them up and moving for the day. Examples are songs that help them learn to count, or songs that ask them to move parts of their bodies. Students find these songs fun and engaging, and often leave the classroom singing these very tunes.
  
  

Calendar

• Another useful Circle Time activity is a calendar activity. Ask the students if they know which day of the week it is, and help them out if no one knows. Then, tell them the date. Allow students to mark the date on a blank calendar, a dry erase board or a felt calendar. Let them take turns throughout the month; the students will enjoy the special attention, and will begin to learn the concept of a calendar. In addition to learning the dates, allow the students to color the days of the week using coloring pages. This will help them learn the letters associated with the days of the week as well.
  
  

Feelings

• One creative circle time idea is to have students learn the concept of feelings, and expressing how they are feeling. While the students are in a circle, the teacher should place large photos of children with different facial expressions in the center. Each student must take a turn choosing a photo and saying what she thinks that person is feeling. Then, the student must say if he is feeling similar or different to that feeling on that day. Later on, students will be able to express their own feelings more readily.
  
  

Puppets

• For a silly and fun Circle Time activity, consider performing a puppet show. Have the students create paper bag or finger puppets during arts and crafts, and then teach them to use their puppets in a show. Have the students take turns on different days doing performances. They will love to perform for their classmates, and will enjoy seeing the different puppet shows.