Circle Time: Sing, Rhyme, and Play in ENGLISH: Preschool 4 Times A Week
What's included
4 live meetings
2 in-class hours per weekClass Experience
"Play is one of the most important ways in which young children gain essential knowledge and skills." ~UNICEF, 2018 WHAT IS CIRCLE TIME? Circle Time is a common preschool classroom activity that develops skills and relationships at the same time. Through a daily routine of singing together, stretching, going over the calendar, and sharing books and favorite toys — in English — the teacher and learners all get to know and trust each other. Being relaxed and comfortable lowers barriers to learning — such as anxiety and boredom — and opens the mind to take in new information and skills. WHAT IS A SING, RHYME, AND PLAY CIRCLE TIME? During a Sing, Rhyme, and Play Circle Time, Ms. Christina — a caring, ukulele-playing, native English-speaker — guides learners through the development of new skills* in English. With a maximum of 5 learners, each child gets individual attention and speaking time. Learners gain confidence and fluency over time — and they have so much fun, they don't even realize they're learning! DAILY SCHEDULE Note: Class lasts 30 minutes for 3-5 learners; class will end a few minutes earlier for 1-2 learners. > INTRO MUSIC > NAMES > WARM-UP RHYME > DAY OF THE WEEK AND DATE > FEATURE SONG > BOOK > GAME > SHOW AND TELL TOPICS BY WEEK (Adjustments may occur due to current events or class needs.) > 29. Aug - Week 1 - Shapes, Colors, Vowels, Letter A > 5. Sep - Week 2 - Vowels, Backwards Counting, Letters B, C > 12. Sep - Week 3 - Months, Seasons, Letters D, E > 19. Sep - Week 4 - Feelings, Letters F, G > 26. Sep - Week 5 - Feelings, Moon, Letters H, I > Week 6 - Opposites, Body Parts, Letters J, K > Week 7 - Loose Teeth, Boo Boos, Letters L, M > Week 8 - Fingers, Hangs, Letters N, O > Week 9 - Library, Reading, Letters P, Q > Week 10 - Sequencing, Rain, Letters R, S > Week 11 - Healthy Snacks, Letters T, U > Week 12 - Action Words, Letters V, W > Week 13 - Dinosaurs, Letters X, Y > Week 14 - Seasonal, Letter Z > Week 15 - Seasonal, Consonant Blends Sh, Ch > Week 16 - Seasonal, Consonant Blend Th, Ph REPEAT *SKILLS DEVELOPED > Early Literacy Skills - Phonological awareness, vocabulary, letter identification, phonics, manual dexterity (for handling a book) > Numeracy Skills - Number identification, ordinal numbers, sequencing, counting forwards and backwards > Social Skills - Listening, patience, taking turns, empathy > Cognitive Skills - Problem solving, searching, making choices, positive association with reading and learning WHAT IF MY CHILD IS SHY OR RELUCTANT? Listening is learning! Some of my very best learners were too shy to participate at first. It is okay for your child just to listen until they get used to the class. Keep your child in the room where they can hear my voice and give them something for their hands, like coloring or building with blocks. Before long, they will likely hear something that interests them and start participating all on their own. MODEL THE BEHAVIOR YOU WANT TO SEE One way to help your child relax is to participate alongside them, just off-camera. Let them see you following the motions, repeating the words, and having a good time. PREPARE Another good way to prepare for class is by watching the educational videos on my YouTube channel together with your child: www.youtube.com/singrhymeandplaywithmschristina. On the channel, your learner can become familiar with me, my style, and what to expect in class. NOTE ON MUSIC I strive to provide a welcoming and loving environment for all learners in my class. Sadly, many classic English-language children's songs were written to mock or belittle people outside the dominant culture. Therefore, I research the history and origins of all the songs I use in my classes and don't use any I find to have hidden or harmful messaging, associations, or history. My own original songs are written with diversity, inclusion, and love for all children in mind. TEACHING METHOD You'll notice I cap all of my classes at 5 learners — this way I can see all of the learners' screens at all times and they can all see each other for maximum group engagement. I also keep the class focused on my face, voice, and physical visual aids such as flannel pieces, magnetic cutouts, and books. Studies show kids in their formative years learn best through face-to-face interaction, so I don't use slides or virtual graphics that render my screen small and make the other learners' screens disappear. Learning in my class is centered on human-to-human connection, which creates a deeper, more permanent learning experience. Come see for yourself!
Learning Goals
This class sets a positive association with speaking and reading in English. After 6-weeks of attendance, learners will 1) be comfortable using the words, phrases, and concepts they have learned in class and 2) have established the habit of reading one book a day together with a grownup.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Please be available to "unmute" your learner for their turn to speak, if they cannot "unmute" themselves.
Note Regarding YouTube:
I never use YouTube during class — all music in class is played live by me on the ukulele or xylophone. The YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/singrhymeandplaywithmschristina, is available for your use before and/or after class, in the event you would like to preview and/or review course content. You do not need an account to watch the videos.
Supply List
Learners should bring a shaker (rattle, shaky egg, maraca, or canister with dried rice, beans, or beads inside) and a book they love—any book in any language.
1 file available upon enrollment
Language of Instruction
English
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree from Monterey Institute of International Studies
Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Language from Pennsylvania State University
> ESL
Ms. Christina began her career as an English teacher in Taiwan.
> EARLY LITERACY
Later, she worked for seven years in the children's department of a public library with a focus on Early Literacy and multilingual programming.
> EDUCATION
Ms. Christina has a Bachelor of Arts degree in INTERNATIONAL POLITICS and GERMAN.
She has a Master of Arts degree in INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS with a language focus on MANDARIN CHINESE.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$50
weekly ($13 per class)4x per week
30 min
Completed by 135 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 3-5
2-5 learners per class