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PROGRAM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT * 2 HOURS * LEVEL 2

Building Community Through Circle Time
Planning Circle Time

Page 6
When planning your circle time keep in mind the attention level and the physical and cognitive abilities of your students. Under-planning or over-planning can either bore or induce stress in the children causing behaviors that can be disruptive. Poor planning will also reduce the effectiveness of what you want to accomplish. An essential aspect of planning includes having all of the materials at hand. When you have to leave the area, or you need to instruct someone to bring you materials you may lose the children’s attention and interest in what you are presenting.
​​One of the best ways to judge the effectiveness of your planning is if the children begin to fidget.
Fidgeting is a clear sign that it is time to change directions. Change the activity, add movement, music, or let the children disband and try again tomorrow. 
Planning your circle time carefully in order to build a classroom community takes careful thought and consideration.
​Circle time activities that build community will often include all children and will have the opportunity for a team-based activity or approach to learning. It may take time before all students are completely comfortable participating or sharing during circle time, and that is okay. Eventually students should feel supported and comfortable enough to participate and engage in the activity.