Circle time is used to start the day in preschool, kindergarten and many primary school classrooms. At the start of the school day, children gather in a circle to recite songs, the date and talk about the weather. Teachers may also discuss one aspect of the weekly theme each day during circle time. The class might also use this time to review concepts from the previous day, or brainstorm concepts relating to the next theme. For instance, if your theme is life on a farm, you might recite "Old MacDonald Had A Farm" and talk about what foods people get, like milk, cheese, eggs and beef, and from which animals. Circle time helps students feel like they are a part of the class and encourages participation from a very young age.
In the United States, children typically learn to read simple books in the first grade. In preschool and kindergarten, it's normal for children to be able to write their first name and recite the alphabet. They should also be able to recognize the letters that start familiar words, such as "A" for "apple" or "M" for "monkey. Literacy is part of the self-contained classroom environment according to the level of ability of the students. As children get older, the divide between the children who can read and those who have difficulty reading aloud or who may be dyslexic grows, but in kindergarten and primary school, all the class will be taught the same concepts by the same teacher.
Games are perhaps the most common aspect of all self-contained classrooms. They help promote healthy competition; children learn to work as a team and be gracious winners and losers. Games in self-contained classes also help kids expend energy, get silly and be creative, which is important for building confidence in young learners. Teachers should know the strengths and weaknesses of each child in their class, which also makes it possible to mix ability levels in a self-contained class. This is essential for the class dynamic, as it ensures every child can be part of a winning team once in a while.
Like literacy, the difference in those who are easily proficient in math and those students who are not grows with age. In primary education, children are taught to write numbers and count with their fingers. Typically, they learn to count to 10 and practice writing numerals along with learning the alphabet. For older preschoolers and kindergarteners, incorporate counting exercises in morning circle and one counting activity on the daily worksheet during lesson. If you do not use worksheets or formal lesson time, teach the kids a counting song like "One, Two Buckle My Shoe" to help review these concepts in an engaging way.