Circle Time

[Balmydays]

I was thinking of incorporating circle time somewhere into our day, or week, as I think it might be beneficial.

I wondered how others do this, and if so how would love to know how it works for you. Or if anybody could recommend any links or ideas for circle time activities.

[catnipkitty]

Hi
Not really sure what you mean by circle time...in my experience of school it seemed to be a time for chatting and sharing thoughts, ideas, experiences. Well, I do that all day every day with my girls - whatever we're doing we chat and share thoughts, in fact i'd say a huge propertion of the girls learning is by discussion in this way, at mealtimes, in the car, waiting for the bus...

[Balmydays]

Oh I don't want to reproduce or emulate a school setting particularly.

This is to be an informal, but regular, time of day where we get together to sing songs, music and activities. Usually sit in a circle, but it can be done with only one child if necessary.

[madwomanintheattic]

Oh right. That's not circle time. not in the traditionally understood school based sense, anyway.

I'm not sure what sort of activities you would be looking for that are different to any other though - are you looking for music and movement type stuff like toddler music classes?

[julienoshoes]

"time of day where we get together to sing songs, music and activities. "

sounds like every car journey we made.....DD2 sang all the way from Colchester where we were staying with friends, all the way across to North Wales one day....and years later talks of what a lovely day that was

[morethanpotatoprints]

Hello Balmydays.

I think circle time needs to have several dcs and can't see how it would work with one. My dcs old school referred to what you are talking about as "circle time". If you want to make sure you have this time together in between other activities and learning, I see your point.
You could use it as a light relief from work, if I'm on the same wave length. Depending on how old your dc/s are would really determine the type of activity. You could chat, discuss a topic you had planned, sing songs about a particular topic, read/ write poetry. A history topic of say Guy Fawkes, you could google for activities. You/dc could produce all the resources before hand and use circle time to perform/ chat etc. With early years numbers, colours or weather songs are very good.

[Saracen]

As Julie says, for us all the singing and talking happens on every car journey! It isn't something we have to set aside time to do.

My kids did/do enjoy getting together with other people to form in a circle and do such activities like people do at school. But I think the main attractions were being with a gang of people, and doing songs and games that our family wouldn't normally do. It's the novelty factor. For this we go to home ed groups and music sessions and scouts and places like that. I don't think they'd want to do that with their family at home. It wouldn't feel like proper circle time.

But if it works for you, don't let us put you off just because it isn't something that happened with our families! Every family can make its own traditions.

[Balmydays]

Yes, that's the kind of thing, morethanpotato. Thank you.

Yes, that does sound that the car journeys most of us have, I agree.

But I know how these things can be achieved through everyday activities and can happen naturally. But I did ask specifically about circle time at home, as I'd read some interesting blog articles by home educators. This is what I wanted to try for us, in a small group, and as a family. We're structured home educators too, if that makes a difference.
Thank you. I'll continue the search.

[morethanpotatoprints]

Balmy

I do think it makes a difference that you are structured as your circle time will be a refreshing break from your academic work. If you are following the nc you could utilise your Drama part of English here and cross curricula with music, history, geography. Anything you like really. If you have several dc I think it will be a good idea to formulise a circle time and the benefits of fun and games will be apparent each time. We are a musical family and are getting several parts for different instruments so we can play together as an ensemble. This is our sort of cicle time, but based solely on music.
Good luck, let me know how you are getting on and will help if I can. I'm not a primary teacher but know enough about k stages, lol. Although trying to avoid them myself.

[Dell28]

We do something we call 'tea time' at mid afternoon once or twice a week, sounds similar to your plan for circle time. So we gather round the table with cups of tea and biscuits (or juice and fruit or whatever, but fresh home-baked biscuits are the best!), and a handful of poetry books, art prints, etc. Then we just read the poems, sing some songs, talk about the pictures, play music in the background, and generally have fun.

Of course everyday life and car journeys involve songs and discussion. But sometimes there are particular poems or stories I want to share for whatever reason (maybe a favourite from my childhood, or something relevant in our lives, or just something I have seen and want to share). I find having this time set aside specifically for this means we get the opportunity. You know how life is sometimes! We have a lot we intend to do, and then lego, or trains, or the woods or cleaning or books or eating etc get in the way. All great activities, but we really enjoy the 1/2 hour or so of tea time to cover those things we all want to share.