The GIANT Encyclopedia of Circle Time and Group Activities: For Children 3 to 6 [Paperback]

Kathy Charner (Editor), Rebecca Jones (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: GIANT Encyclopedia | Publication Date: July 1, 1996

We invited teachers from all over the country to share their experience and knowledge for the creation of this giant resource. Open to any page in this book and you will find an activity for circle or group time written by an experienced teacher—over 600 activities covering 48 themes. This book is jam-packed with ideas that were tested by teachers in the classroom.

These are ideas that work, and there are enough to keep children learning and happy for days, weeks and months. Many activities include suggestions for extending the circle time or group activity into other areas of the curriculum such as math, science, snack, language, or field trips. Books and songs related to the activity as well as original songs and poems are included.

"Consider this resource as a gift for a new teacher or for someone always looking for new proven ideas."—Reviews from Parent Council

"Teachers will find this an important reference as it charts practical circle time activities which have been tried and tested in the classroom: from dinosaur bone hunt to holiday celebrations, this is an excellent collection."—Children’s Bookwatch

". . . open this book anywhere and find something fun to do. . . . Even teachers with years of experience should find great new suggestions here, while beginners will find it invaluable."—Notes from the Window Sill

Editorial Reviews

Review

Many of the themes in our current curriculum are included in this excellent book for teachers. We found especially helpful the listing of books related to the themes . . . We also liked the "More to do" sections to extend the themes. The text is not overly wordy which makes me want to read further for ideas. Simple and to the point! -- First Presbyterian Church

Most will agree that the best recipes are found in cookbooks featuring chefs' favorites. Now there is a similar book for parents and early childhood educators. This collection highlights over six hundred ideas that really work--all of them submitted by teachers. Many of the activities are related to children's literature and cover a wide variety of themes. The book has three indexes: an alphabetical list of activities, a list of necessary materials, and a list of the children's books presented in the activities. Consider this resource as a gift for a new teacher or for someone always looking for new proven ideas. -- Reviews from Parent Council

Teachers from all over America shared their experiences and knowledge for the creation of this 510 page compendium . . . .The activities are learning experiences (as well as a lot of fun) and teach basic facts about air and wind, the alphabet, animals, art, beaches and oceans, bears, birds, bodies, clothes, colors, cooking, crafts, dinosaurs, emotions, the environment, the seasons, families, farms, food, friendship, games habitats, health and safety, holidays, insects, movement, other cultures, music, nature, numbers, nursery rhymes, the community, science, self-concepts, sense, shapes, sign language, special days, spiders, starting school, storytelling, transportation, the weather, the zoo, and much, much more. The materials needed for each activity are listed, and easy-to-follow instructions guarantee a successful implementation of the game, exercise, or activity for both the students and the teacher! This is also a highly recommenced resource for homeschooling and for parents and care givers to use for summertime and rainy day activities as well. -- Wisconsin Bookwatch

Teachers from all over America shared their experiences and knowledge for the creation of this 510 page compendium of over 600 activities for successful and enjoyable circle and group times for preschool through kindergarten students. The activities are learning experiences (as well as a lot of fun) and teach basic facts about air and wind, the alphabet, animals, art, beaches and oceans, bears, birds, bodies, clothes, colors, cooking, crafts, dinosaurs, emotions, the environment, the seasons, families, farms, food, friendship, games, habitats, health and safety, holidays, insects, movement, other cultures, music, nature, numbers, nursery rhymes, the community, science, self-concepts, senses, shapes, sign language, special days, spiders, starting school, storytelling, transportation, the weather, the zoo, and much, much more. The materials needed for each activity are listed, and easy-to-follow instructions guarantee a successful implementation of the game, exercise, or activity for both the students and the teacher! This is also a highly recommended resource for homeschooling and for parents and care givers to use for summertime and rainy day activities as well. -- Midwest Book Review

The Circle Time Tips are very helpful. The numerous topics cover almost every theme a teacher might want to cover in a circle time. The accompanying fingerplays and songs are appropriate for all ages. The unique Index of Children's books helps these ideas fit into many lesson plans. The index of materials helps teachers choose economical ideas and activities and also finds a use for recycled items. -- St. Luke's Children's Center

From the Back Cover

Activities Written by Teachers Across America!

Teachers from all over America shared their experiences and knowledge for the creation of this GIANT resource. Over 600 activities for successful and enjoyable circle and group times make this an invaluable collection for teachers of young children.

Air and Wind, Alphabet, Animals, Art, Beaches and Oceans, Bears, Birds, Bodies, Clothes, Colors, Cooking, Crafts, Dinosaurs, Emotions, The Environment, Fall, Families, Farms, Food, Friendship, Games, Habitats, Health and Safety, Holidays, Insects, Movement, Many Cultures, Music, Nature, Numbers, Nursery Rhymes, Our Community, Science, Seasons, Self-Concept, Senses, Shapes, Sign Language, Special Days, Spiders, Spring, Starting School, Storytelling, Transportation, Weather, Winter, Zoo

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 510 pages
• Publisher: Gryphon House (July 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876591810
• ISBN-13: 978-0876591819
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,064 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kathy Charner has been with Gryphon House for over 15 years. She is the editor of several books including: The GIANT Encyclopedia of Learning Center Activities; The GIANT Encyclopedia of Circle Time Activities; The GIANT Encyclopedia of Art & Craft Activities; The GIANT Encyclopedia of Science Activities; and The GIANT Encyclopedia of Activities for Four-Year-Olds.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Teacher's Help, June 7, 2000

By 

Marisabel Eguidazu (Caracas, Venezuela) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The GIANT Encyclopedia of Circle Time and Group Activities: For Children 3 to 6 (Paperback)

This book is full of new, interesting and original tips and ideas that are VERY EASY to use in any teacher's class. It enables the teacher with many resorses to use during circle time without having to bother about looking for extraordinary material; in fact most of the activities won't require any material at all. The classroom resourses will work for any kind of classroom regardeless of size, age (3-6) or even subject.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT book for preschool teachers!, March 14, 2010

By 

M. Momand (Palo Alto, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The GIANT Encyclopedia of Circle Time and Group Activities: For Children 3 to 6 (Paperback)

This book has so many great ideas that I am able to use for my preschoolers. It's never ending and I can add things to activities if I want to, not that I even need to. I love love love this book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Giant Encyclopedia of Circle Time / Group Activities, July 10, 2006

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Patricia K. Zandstra "Pat" (Grand Rapics, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The GIANT Encyclopedia of Circle Time and Group Activities: For Children 3 to 6 (Paperback)

This book truely is an encyclopedia of great ideas to use in the classroom. It is laid out in a very reader friendly format, listing ages, materials needed, and related books and songs. It has an extensive table of contents with clear headings. I can see myself using this throughout the years.