Begin circle time with some well-known and well-loved songs. Start with a classic that gets everyone involved at once, like "The Itsy, Bitsy Spider" or "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." Then move into songs that are more interactive and point to individual children to complete lines and verses. For example, move into "Old MacDonald," and after you name an animal, gesture to a child and have him make the sounds of that animal. Continue the song until every child in the circle has had a chance to go.
Start off the circle time with a story. Begin a story that the children are familiar with, and then diverge from the normal storyline, creating an alternate tale. For example, when telling the story of "Little Red Riding Hood," have her go to the amusement park instead of her grandmother's house. Go around the circle and have each child add a detail or action to the story, like all the rides and candy she ate at the amusement park. In a slight variation, pose a question to the entire group, and allow each child in the circle to answer. Ideas for questions include "What do you want to do after school today?" and "Where do you want to go for summer vacation?"
Energize the children by starting off circle time with a game that will wake them up and focus their attention. Getting their blood pumping at the beginning can help make them more attentive and participatory in the rest of the activities. Games like "Who Stole the Cookie?" and "Duck, Duck, Goose" allow them to interact more with the other children in a relaxed setting. Other more physical games, like "The Hokey Pokey" and "Simon Says" can help them to focus and expend any excessive energy before more thought-provoking circle activities.