Circle Time Rules

I often provide this visual to many preschool teachers as a support for circle time behavior.  Preschoolers often need to be taught what the expectations are for circle time or group activities.  It is not something that comes naturally for a 3, 4, or even a 5 year old.  Some preschoolers have experienced sitting for library story time or for special activities but many enter preschool without having experienced the need to sit in a structured group.  Providing practice and visual rules for circle time our group activities is helpful to everyone involved.

I should put a disclaimer on this that I DID NOT create this, it was created by someone else and has been passed onto many different teachers.   The key is not only to post these rules for students to see but also to review, role model, and practice each rule.  What does a sitting body look like?  Can it look differently in different students?  In your classroom is a sitting body sitting with criss cross applesauce legs?  What are looking eyes?

In many cases a preschool teacher might have more specific rules for their circle time and these rules can be adapted however circle time or any classroom rules should be kept short- 3 to 5 rules at the most. 

Circle Time/Morning Meeting rules of course are not unique for preschoolers.  Elementary students also thrive on very specific and visual rules.