Thanks to my brilliant hubby, I figured out how to get the pictures that I wanted for this post.  I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.  It was sort of embarrassingly easy.

Today is a game that I think would work really well for circle time in a classroom.  I’m actually looking forward to trying it in our Sunday School class in a couple of weeks.

It’s pretty simple.  First, make a paper dice out of something like this, with every square a different color

I just drew it on the computer. Then I’ll cut it out and fold it to make a cube.  Use those triangle shaped ends to glue it shut.

Then, pass out construction paper squares to all the kids.  I’d use a whole piece per kid.  Make sure that you use all the colors on the dice, and not any extra colors.

Tell the kids that they have to sit on their square, and they can’t move the square.

Finally, you should have a second dice, like this one.

Each side of the dice has a different way to sit.  I should maybe have come up with something different than balance on one leg, but it added a little interest.;)

Now, I don’t know exactly how circle time in school goes, so for church I would use this for review.

First, I would roll the color dice, and say that I need someone who is sitting on that color to answer a question for me.  Ask the question, pick the answerer, and let them answer it.  I’m not a huge person to say, “I’m looking for my best listener…” Mainly, because I feel like usually the same kids are always good listeners, and the same kids are always bad listeners.  Rather, I try to give them something to listen for, and make sure they realize that if they are not sitting quietly and listening well, they won’t get picked.  Actually, sometimes I even directly call out someone who is not listening, and ask them a question to get their attention.

Anyway, that was a bunny trail.  Back to the game.  If the child answers the question correctly, they get to come roll the shapes dice.  Then, all the kids have to sit in that shape until the next question is asked and answered and the dice is rolled.

If you are having a very hard time with listeners, feel free to take construction paper mats away from them.  Then, they won’t be able to participate in the game.:(

I think there are several different ways you could use this to adapt for each class.  As a matter of fact, I’m already thinking that for Sunday, I might need to change my shapes a little, because straddles just don’t work out very well for little girls in dresses.;)

How would this work for your classes?  Do you have a favorite method of getting kids to sit during “circle time”?