What to Include in Kindergarten Morning Circle Time

When I taught Kindergarten, I wanted to try and include as many things as I could during morning circle time. My schedule allowed me to have circle time from 9:00 - 9:30. (give or take a few minutes).

The first thing we did in circle time was to say The Pledge of Allegiance. Then we took attendance and sang a song to the tune of Farmer in the Dell. I had a daily job chart and one child each week was in charge of attendance. That child would tell if anyone in the class was absent that day. If so, he/she would move that child's card in the absent spot for the day on the attendance chart. Then we sang a song mentioning everyone's name that was present to the tune of Farmer in the Dell. The song went like this: "James is here today, James is here today, let's all clap together because James is here today."

The next thing we did was the calendar. The month was already on the chart and one student would take the next number and put it under the correct day. Then we would count together the days so far of the month.

Next was the weather chart. Someone would come up and tell the class what the weather was like that day. Then they would put the correct dial on the chart in the proper place.

We also did counting the days in school. You can use straws or popsicle sticks for this. I cut out three small milk containers and labeled each one the following way: Ones, tens, and hundreds. From September to June someone put a straw or popsicle in the proper container. This activity helps the students to learn place value of numbers.

Once a week on a Friday, we would have show-n-tell and students were encouraged to bring in an item that started with the letter of the week.

On the chart board, I would introduce the letter and number of the week. I would demonstrate how to draw the letter and number, then the children came up with words beginning with that letter.

Lastly, we would have a short story time. I would choose one child a day to pick a book that they want read to the class.

Children at this age can't sit for too long, so you don't want circle time to be more than 25-30 minutes.