Abstract Morning Circle, also known as Morning Meeting, is often a daily lesson in both general education and special

education classrooms. The primary purpose of the Circle is to support each child to establish membership in the class while developing a classroom community and culture. The Responsive Classroom Approach recommends four Circle components: greeting, sharing, group activity, and news and announcements (Kriete, 2002). Strategies such as embedding the instruction of IEP objectives, differentiating instruction, encouraging the active physical involvement of students, and creating opportunities for communication support the participation of children with disabilities. This article shares Circle components, routines, and strategies as demonstrated by ten special educators serving children with severe disabilities, ages 3- 10 years. Video clips are used to illustrate key concepts. Circle Time added 8-7-97 Original Author Unknown Sung to: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" Hush, ssh, quiet please, Let's all gather near. Find a friend and sit right down, Circle time is here. Hands up high Fingerplay added 8-7-97 Original Author Unknown Hands up high Hands down low Hide those hand now where did they go? One hand up the other one too Clap them, fold them, now we're through. Open Shut them added 8-7-97 Original Author Unknown Open, shut them Open, shut them Give a little clap Open, shut them

Open, shut them Put them in your lap Creep them, creep them Creep them, creep them Right up to your chin Open up your little mouth But do not let them in Falling, falling Falling, falling Right down to the ground Then you pick them up again And turn them round and round Faster, faster, Faster, faster Give a little clap Slower, slower, Slower, slower Place them in your lap. Right Hand, Left Hand added 4-30-98 Submitted by: Kathy This is my right hand (raise up) I raise it up high This is my left hand (up overhead) I touch the sky Right hand, left hand (raise one then other) Roll them round and round (Roll in front of you) Right hand, left hand Let's all sit down !! Make a Circle added 7-23-98 Original Author Unknown Sung to: "Frere Jaques"( Are you sleeping)

Make a circle, Make a circle Make it round, Make it round Make it in a hurry, Make it in a hurry Then sit down, Then sit down. Come have a... added 7-23-98 Original Author Unknown Sung to: "Shorting Bread" Everybody come and have a, come and have a, come and have a, Everybody come and have a seat on the floor. Not on the ceilin' (point) Not on the door (point) Everybody come and have a seat on the floor Weather added 8-8-98 Original Author Unknown Sung to: "Oh my Darlin" Weather Helper, Weather Helper What's the weather outside? Go and look out the window, tell us what you see outside. What's the weather? What's the weather? What's the weather tell everyone. Is it windy? Is it cloudy? Is there rain? or is there sun? The one I use goes: Today the clouds are in the sky, and cloudy is the weather. C-L-O-U-D-Y, C-L-O-U-D-Y, C-L-O-U-D-Y. And cloudy is the weather. Circle Time added 9-16-98 Original Author Unknown

Sung to: "Mary had a little lamb" Come on, everybody it's circle time, circle time, circle time... Come on, everybody, it's circle time, please come and sit with me. Two Little Hands added 9-16-98 Original Author Unknown Two little hands go clap, clap, clap.. (all clap) Two little feet go tap, tap, tap.. (all tap) One little body turns around, and then sits quietly upon the down. Hands up high added 9-16-98 Original Author Unknown Hands up high Hands down low Hide those hand now where did they go? One hand up the other one too Clap them, fold them, now we're through. Song For Going To Circle Time added 9-16-98 Original Author Unknown Let's sit for a story (or circle) For story, for story Let's sit for story Please come and sit with me (At this point children start to arrive and we sing) (Name) is at story, at story, at story (Name) is at story; he came to sit with me Keep singing until everyone has sat down at circle and his or her names have been sung. Welcome To Circle added 8-19-02 Original Author Unknown

Sung to: "Where is Thumbkin?" Where is ______? Where is _______? Here he is! Here he is! How are you today, sir? Very well I thank you. (child response) Sit right here! Sit right here! Come And Join Us added 2-23-03 Original Author Unknown Sung to: "Clementine" Come and join us in the circle For a fun and happy time. We will learn and play together In our circle, yours and mine. Listen carefully and look closely Have good manners and be kind We will learn and play together In our circle, yours and mine. To Rhyming Land We Go! added 9-3-00 Original Author Unknown Sung to: " Farmer in the Dell" To Rhyming Land we go, To Rhyming Land we go! High-ho the derry-o, To Rhyming Land we go! Circle time is important for toddlers and preschool aged children because it helps develop speaking and listening skills, teaches cooperation, increases confidence, and raises self-esteem Read more: http://daycare.suite101.com/article.cfm/circle_time_activities_for_daycare#ixz z0TgBPALVZ