Planning Effective Group Times Group times have four

Planning Effective Group Times Group times have four parts: the opening, body, closing, and transitions.

Group-Time Preparations & Strategies • Location – circle time – specific spot to sit • Focus • Pace and Variety • Materials – variety of props – concrete items • Advanced Preparation – always practice first! – have materials set up • Active Involvement – high interest activities – children INVOLVED • Group Time Teaching Methods (p. 119)

Group Time Variations • Greeting Times – songs, welcomes, daily routines - brief • Planning Times – picture plans, childinitiated, choice • Storytelling Groups – Know story, be dramatic, use pauses • Read-Aloud Times • Friendship Circles – social skills, “I care” • Class Meetings – positive discipline, children’s selfgovernment • Brainstorming Groups – KWHLH, charts

Continued Variations • Minilessons – Short and to the point, writer’s workshop • Author’s Chair – children share their writings, celebrate accomplishments of one another • Reporting Times – sharing, closure, reviewing

COMMON QUESTIONS FOR GROUP WORK • Should all children be required to participate in group time? • What are some strategies for facilitating conversations among a large group of children? • What should the group leader do when children interrupt a story or presentation?

COMMON QUESTIONS FOR GROUP WORK • What can be done to support easily distractible children? • What should the group leader do when children become unhappy or angry during group times? • What about show-and-tell?

Adapting Whole Group Instruction to Children of Different Ages and Abilities Younger Children: Short in duration, high on participation, low on talk, short songs & stories, familiarity

Adapting Whole Group Instruction to Children of Different Ages and Abilities Older children: longer in duration, high in participation, discussion, complexity, surprise, factual & problem solving information

Pitfalls to Avoid in Planning Group Times

Planning a Field Trip • What is the purpose of the trip? • What is your destination? – Does the site allow children to “be children? ” – Does site support educational goals? – Length of the trip/needs/disabilities/safety • When will the trip take place? • How will children get to the site? – Walking, transportation, car seats? ? ?

Planning Field Trips • What kind of supervision will be necessary? – Minimum of two adults – Use of parent volunteers • How will permission be obtained for children to participate? – Written permission or CAN’T GO – Follow-up phone calls and reminders

Planning Field Trips • How can parents and other family members be involved? • How will the lesson continue after the field trip is over? – Reinforcing activities – Do not leave LEARNING to chance • What is your backup plan? – Weather, sicknesses, backup box, first aid

Following the Field Trip • • Group discussion Photos from trip Art/Collages Story dictations Journal Writing Book making Pretend play with blocks or props • Role plays • Items collected from trip • Math story problems • Cooperative groups • Repeat visits • THANK YOU NOTES - A MUST!