loosing sleep!

[lmcgahee]

This is my first year teaching 4's at our church preschool. I teach 10 kids with no helper. My problem is at circle time with the children interrupting and not listening well. Our circle time lasts about 20-25 minutes which includes calendar,weather,story and usually 1 special group project. The kids recieve a smiley face stamp for cleaning up before circle and coming to sit on their mats. We've been working on raising hands to speak all year, but it doesn't seem to be working with some and as the year goes by it's becoming more and more frustrating. I know the teacher across the hall gives out candy as a reward, but that doesn't seem quite right to me. Any other ideas? I've thought of using a sticker chart, but not sure of the reward??
I welcome any and all advice - getting tired

Isn't that frustrating??? I have used a play "microphone" where you can only talk if you have the mike. This encourages those who are eager to wait for their turn. It also lets those who are timid have a turn. I try to encourage the children to listen to each other, and this seems to help (for most of them). Be careful that you don't interrupt either, as the kids need to see how the game is played. Good luck, (and I'm glad you don't want to use rewards. Kids need to use good manners because "that's how we treat each other", not for prizes).

[KarlaB]

I am not a teacher, but ds goes to preschool and he tells me that during their circle time if it isn't their time to talk they are supposed to "swallow their question" and he shows me this dramatic way that he swallows. I am not sure what I think of this, but I'm sure there's more to it than what he has said...

[Diane]

Originally posted by KarlaB
I am not a teacher, but ds goes to preschool and he tells me that during their circle time if it isn't their time to talk they are supposed to "swallow their question" and he shows me this dramatic way that he swallows. I am not sure what I think of this, but I'm sure there's more to it than what he has said...

Hey... I LIKE that one Karla! I think I'm going ot try using the "swallow their question" thing on them a few times to see it if works. Nobody ever seems to have much to say until you sit down to read a story. Ugh!!! Thanks for the idea! :)

Diane~

[KarlaB]

You're welcome! :) Ds is always so dramatic when he shows me how he swallows a question - I have to laugh. At first I thought it sounded kind of mean to not let them ask questions, but I can see it from the teacher's perspective, too. I know how it is when we read books at home and I only have questions/comments from 2 kids to contend with! LOL! Hope it works for you! :)

[Kimberly]

To get their attention, try singing a song like "Open, Shut Them" and once they're quiet, let them know it's time to listen. When one of mine starts to talk, I remind them it's time to listen. Instead of telling the talkers to be quiet, try recognizing the ones who are listening- "I like the way Mary is sitting nice and quiet. She's a good listener." Also, keeping your voice low somehow makes them quieter. When they start to talk, try whispering something like, "Who can show me how we listen for story time?" Some days nothing you do can keep them still. I try to do some stretching before I start or in between if they're getting antsy. Hope this helps!

[andrea]

I have children aged 2 1/2 up to 4 yrs and to get them all ready to sit and listen we play the 'Hands on heads, hands on knees' game. We start with everyone putting their hands on their heads then I call out a part of the body they need to put their hands on next (good for learning all body parts we do shins, thighs and all sorts). We always end with hands on knees at this point I say what happens now and they all say thet're stcuk with glue, I say thats rights they're stuck with glue until I finish the story (or whatever we are using carpet time for). This generally stop fingers getting stood on if children are getting up to come to the front but more than anything it gets everyones attention and looking at me to see what the need to do next.

http://www.members.aol.com/villageplaygroup 8)

[coulie]

Ten kids is a pretty full group for one teacher.
It would obviously be better if you had an assistant to just quietly sit behind whichever child is being disruptive. Could the parents take turns helping with this at circle time? Also, are you required to have 20- 25 minutes at circle? If not, shorten it. I've worked with this age in the past and I tended to be over-enthusiastic about how much material we could cover. I started to shorten the time and make sure that cirle time actively involved them the entire time. Like others here suggested, songs that require movement of hands etc. Works like magic to draw them in.
Good Luck!

Coulie

[KarlaB]

I was looking thru a magazine (The Mailbox) at the library tonight and saw another idea. During circle time if you ask a question and know there isn't time to listen to everyone's responses tell the children to turn to their "neighbor" and share their ideas with each other for a minute or so before resuming with the rest of circle time. Maybe it would help if they have this brief time to talk with the understanding that the rest of circle time will be for listening? Good luck!