How to Use Lesson Plan Kits for Engaging Circle Time
By Teaching Supplies & Child Care | Published: 2026-10-21
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use lesson plan kits to create engaging circle time activities. This guide covers planning, setup, and common pitfalls to avoid.
Quick answer
Use lesson plan kits to structure circle time by following the ready-made activities, adapting them to your group's size and interests, and avoiding common pitfalls like over-scripting or skipping the DVD demonstration.
Why lesson plan kits work for circle time
Circle time thrives on routine and novelty. Lesson plan kits provide a predictable structure while introducing fresh themes—like a nature walk or a grocery store visit—that keep children curious. The included DVD offers a visual anchor that helps children understand the activity before they participate.
One trade-off: kits are designed for general use, so you may need to adjust the pacing or props to match your classroom's energy level. For example, a longer lesson might need to be split across two circle times for younger groups.
Steps for using lesson plan kits in circle time
- Preview the kit before circle time: Watch the DVD and read the lesson plan to understand the flow. Identify which parts are best for circle time (e.g., a short video clip, a group discussion question) and which are for later centers or outdoor play. Common mistake: jumping straight into the activity without previewing, which can lead to awkward pauses or mismatched pacing.
- Set up the circle time space with visual cues: Place props or images from the kit (e.g., a toy grocery basket for the grocery store lesson) in the circle area. Arrange seating so every child can see the DVD screen or your demonstration. Checkpoint: if children are distracted by the props, remove them until after the DVD segment to keep focus on the group discussion.
- Use the DVD as a shared experience: Play a short segment (2-3 minutes) from the DVD to introduce the theme. Pause to ask open-ended questions like “What do you think we’ll see on our nature walk?” This builds anticipation and vocabulary. Common mistake: playing the entire DVD without pausing, which turns circle time into passive viewing instead of interactive learning.
- Lead a hands-on activity from the lesson plan: Choose one simple activity from the plan—such as sorting pretend groceries or identifying leaves from the nature walk DVD. Keep it to 5-7 minutes to match circle time attention spans. Checkpoint: if the activity runs long, save the rest for small-group time rather than rushing through it.
- Wrap up with a transition cue: Use a song or a signal from the kit (e.g., a nature walk chant) to end circle time. Briefly remind children what they’ll do next, like going to the science table to explore leaves. Common mistake: ending abruptly without a transition, which can lead to confusion and loss of the theme's momentum.
Product facts
- The Nature Walk Lesson Plan & DVD Set: The Nature Walk Lesson Plan & DVD Set includes a comprehensive lesson plan to help structure a nature walk activity and a DVD to enhance learning. You can use the DVD to show children what to look for on a walk before heading outside, making circle time a preview rather than a lecture.
The Nature Walk Lesson Plan & DVD Set - The Grocery Store Lesson Plan & DVD Set: The Grocery Store Lesson Plan & DVD Set offers a structured approach to exploring the grocery store theme in the classroom, with a lesson plan and DVD. The grocery store theme turns dramatic play into a learning opportunity—children can practice sorting, counting, and social roles during circle time.
The Grocery Store Lesson Plan & DVD Set
