Nancy Stewart

It’s September, and that means the beginning of a new school year, and finding new ways to gather the children when it’s circle time. Well, get out your drum for this simple gathering song (you DO have a drum, don’t you– if not, visit my homemade instruments page for a great homemade one). Instruct the children to listen for the drum during the day. When you want to have circle time, begin beating your drum and start walking around the room. When the children hear it, they are to line up behind you and follow you to the circle. Snake around the room until all of the children are with you, stopping to play a pattern and have them echo it as the song indicates. Then go to your circle space, walk around once, and when you raise the drum and play the last beat, everyone is to sit down. When children are familiar with the song, you can have a box of rhythm instruments out. Before joining the line, they can choose an instrument and keep a steady beat along with you. You might want to add little things, like having a “freeze” signal you can use while walking to the circle. Let this song grow and change, as your children grow and change. Have a GREAT school year! And have Fun!