Why Circle Time in Year 2?
Early on in Year 2, I noticed that many children were finding it challenging to speak in front of others in a whole class situation. Their collaborative group work skills needed moulding to support our inquiry learning environment. I was keen to use circle time as a means of building the children’s spoken communication skills and to support the children with their collaborative group work.
Collaborative Group Work
The mixer aspect of the circle time model I have been using, encourages the children to work with people they would not usually choose to work with.
In order for this to be successful, it required specific skills to be taught to encourage communication within the groups.
To start with, I chose activities that required 3 or 4 children in a group so that there was less pressure on everyone to speak.
I taught different skills each week. Whole body listening and respect for the speaker while sharing was essential and aspects of this were focussed on during each circle time.
Gradually the groups got smaller and the activities required higher levels of communication for them to gain success.
In order for this to be successful, it required specific skills to be taught to encourage communication within the groups.
To start with, I chose activities that required 3 or 4 children in a group so that there was less pressure on everyone to speak.
I taught different skills each week. Whole body listening and respect for the speaker while sharing was essential and aspects of this were focussed on during each circle time.
Gradually the groups got smaller and the activities required higher levels of communication for them to gain success.
Early Benefits
After only a few weeks of circle time practice, the children were using clearer voices and sharing more confidently within the circle. By the end of the first term, they were becoming used to working with others . A culture of support and respect was developing in the class. They were more willing to work with anyone in the class and they were excited by the prospect of circle time every week.
Maths problem solving is generally the main focus of the Content part of the circle. We have focussed of certain phrases they could use to be critical friends and this language has infiltrated our vocabulary in other areas of the classroom.
Maths problem solving is generally the main focus of the Content part of the circle. We have focussed of certain phrases they could use to be critical friends and this language has infiltrated our vocabulary in other areas of the classroom.