Those minature bubble containers do wonders. I like to hide them in my hand and then "surprise" the children with bubbles. Of course the first time you do this it can be a little "rowdy" but as you talk softly about the bubbles and blow one to each child who is sitting with their hands in their laps...it quietens down.
Remember that your/your staff's tone, volume of voice, and example is what is going to have the most influence.
The following are songs, chants, fingerplays I've collected over the years. May one be of some help.
It's Time To Come To Circle
Tune: "Did You Ever See A Lassie?"
It's time to come to circle,
To circle, to circle.
It's time to come to circle,
To circle right now.
There's ________ and ________,
and ___________ and _________.
It's time to come to circle,
To circle right now.
We're sitting in a circle,
A circle, a circle.
We're sitting in a circle,
Right here on the floor.
With __________ and _________,
And __________ and __________.
We're sitting in a circle,
Right here on the floor.
Welcome To Circle Sung to: "Where is Thumbkin?"
Where is ______? Where is _______?
Here he is! Here he is!
How are you today, sir?
Very well I thank you. (child response)
Sit right here! Sit right here!
Come And Join Us Sung to: "Clementine"
Come and join us in the circle
For a fun and happy time.
We will learn and play together
In our circle, yours and mine.
Listen carefully and look closely
Have good manners and be kind
We will learn and play together
In our circle, yours and mine.
Listen Closely
Tune: I’ve Been Working on the Railroad
Listen closely to the teacher.
Listen as (s)he speaks.
Listen closely to the teacher.
No grunts, no growls, no squeaks.
Everyone is oh, so quiet.
And looking the teacher’s way.
Everyone is still and ready
To hear what (s)he has to say.
Outside Voices: As children come in, explain that softer voices are needed inside. Show the children a decorative bag. Tell them that when they come in from play time, they can put their outside voices in the bag so they won’t hurt anyone’s ears or disturb others. Hang the bag by the door, and let the children put their loud voices in it as they come into the room.
Give Me Five
1.Eyes on Teacher
2.Ears listening
3.Mouth quiet
4.arms by your side
5.feet still
Two much noise
Swish, swish, swish.
Too much noise.
Can you help me,
Girls and boys?
Swish, swish, swish.
Swish some more.
Swish that noise
Right out the door.
Substitute: crunch, buzz, beep or splash.
Are you Listening
Tune: "Are You Sleeping?"
Are you listening? Are you listening?
Everyone, Everyone.
If you are listening. If you are listening.
(Clap, stomp, slap, etc.) three times. 1..2...3..
Quiet Down Song Sung to: "If You're Happy and You Know It"
Put your finger over your lip like this,
Put your finger over your lip like this
Close your mouth with a zip,
Put your finger over your lip,
Put your finger over your lip like this.
Shhhhhhhhhhhh
I like to do hand motions with this song.
Quiet Down again
Tune: "London Bridge"
Let us quiet down again,
down again,
down again.
Let us quiet down again,
That's much better.
Put you fingers
Put your fingers in the air, in the air
Put your fingers in the air, in the air
Put your fingers in the air, 'how's the weather way up there?'
Put your fingers in the air, in the air.
Put your fingers in your lap, in your lap
Put your fingers in your lap, in your lap
Put your fingers in your lap, and give a little clap
Put your fingers in your lap, in your lap.
Put your fingers on your lips, on your lips
Put your fingers on your lips, on your lips
Put your fingers on your lips and give a little zip
Put your fingers on your lips, on your lips.
Story Time Transition
Sometimes my hands are at my side.
Sometime behind my back they hide.
Sometimes my fingers wiggle so.
Wiggle fast.
Wiggle slow.
Sometimes my hands go clap, clap, clap!
But now they’re resting in my lap.
They’re as quiet as can be
Because it’s storytime, you see.
Wiggle Your Fingers
Wiggle your fingers in the air.
Wiggle them wiggle them everywhere!
Stomp your feet upon the ground.
Stomp them, stomp them all around!
Now sit down and cross your feet.
Hands in laps all nice and neat.
Now we’re ready to start out day.
We’ll listen first, and then we will play.
My Hands
My hands upon my head I place.
Upon my shoulders, on my face.
At my hops and by my side,
Then behind me they will hide.
Then I will wave them way up high,
And let my fingers fly, fly, fly.
Now, I clap them, 1,2,3.
Then I fold them silently.
I Wiggle
I wiggle my fingers.
I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my shoulders.
I wiggle my nose.
Now no more wiggles
Are left in me.
So I will be still,
As still can be.
Hands up high
Hands down low
Hide those hand now where did they go?
One hand up the other one too
Clap them, fold them, now we're through.
Right Hand, Left Hand
This is my right hand (raise up)
I raise it up high
This is my left hand (up overhead)
I touch the sky
Right hand, left hand (raise one then other)
Roll them round and round (Roll in front of you)
Right hand, left hand
Let's all sit down !!
Up and down, round and round (draw circles in the air),
put your fingers on the ground.
Over (hold hands above lap) under, (below legs) in between (you've hidden your hands in between your legs)
Now my fingers can't be seen!
Hands in front, hands behind ,
now my hands I cannot find.
Here's my left hand , here's my right,
Hands and fingers back in sight (wriggle fingers).
Eyes on me
1 2 3 eyes on me
I'm looking to see whose looking at me
I'm listening to see whose as quiet as can be!
Hands up high
Hands up high
Hands down low
Hide those hand now where did they go?
One hand up the other one too
Clap them, fold them, now we're through.
1,2,3 eyes on me. (teacher says)
1,2 eyes on you. (students say)
I am Waiting
(to the tune of "Frere Jacques")
I am waiting,
I am waiting,
Just for you,
Just for you,
Show me that you're ready,
Show me that you're ready,
1, 2, 3 - eyes on me!
1, 2, 3 - looking at me!
1, 2, 3 - smiling at me!
Right hand, left hand,
give a little clap.
Right hand, left hand,
put them on your lap.
Two Feet Go Tap
Two little feet go tap, tap, tap,
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap.
I stand up quietly by my chair, then...
Two little arms reach high in the air.
Two little feet go jump, jump, jump,
Two little fists go thump, thump, thump.
One little body goes round and round,
And one little child sits quietly down.
Special Spectacles: Using thumb and index finger on both hands, form circles. Put these up next to your eyes to look like glasses as you say or sing the following. May wish to use funny looking glasses: empty glasses frames, pretend glasses of pipe cleaners and plastic rings. Encourage the children to pretend to put on their “special spectacles” to look book at you.
I’m putting on my spectacles to see what I can see.
I’m putting on my spectacles and I see.
(child’s name), and (child’s name), and
(child’s name) looking at me.
I
I touch my head,
I touch my toes,
I shake my hands,
Just see them go!
I fold my arms,
I cross my feet,
I nod three times,
I take a seat.
I tap my head.
I push my nose.
I pull my ear.
I touch my toes.
I clap, clap, clap.
Then I sit down
And make my lap.
(reverse to standing by changing the last two lines to Then I stand up. Uh, oh, where’s my lap.)
Sing ‘n’ Sit Tune: Shortnin’ Bread
Everybody, have a seat, have a seat, have a seat.
Everybody, have a seat on the floor.
Not on the ceiling!
Not on the door!
Everybody, come and have a seat on the floor.
Two Little Hands
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap.. (all clap)
Two little feet go tap, tap, tap.. (all tap)
One little body turns around, and then sits quietly upon the down.
Tune: "Teddy Bear Teddy Bear"
Preschool, Preschool touch your nose
Preschool, Preschool touch your toes
Preschool, Preschool pat your hair
Preschool, Preschool take your chair!
Two Little Feet Go Tap
Two little feet go tap, tap, tap.
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap.
A quick little leap up from my chair,
Two little arms reach high in the air.
Two little feet go jump, jump, jump.
Two little fist go thump, thump, thump.
One little body goes round and round.
And one little child sits quietly down.
Howdy Neighbor
Howdy neighbor! (make big waving motion)
What do you say? (shake hand with each other)
It’s going to be
A beautiful day. (make circle in front of body with arms)
So clap your hands, (clap your hands)
And stomp your feet. (stomp feet)
Jump up and down, (jump)
Then take a seat.
We Step, Step, Step
We step, step, step (step in place)
And clap, clap, clap
And bow without a sound.
We step, step, step,
And clap, clap, clap
And then we touch the ground.
We clap down low.
We clap up high.
We touch the ground.
We touch the sky.
We step, step, step,
And clap, clap, clap,
And then we sit right down.
Story Time
Tune: "Sing a Song of Sixpence"
It's time to watch and listen,
We're going to read a book.
We'll sit down on the rug
And use our eyes to look.
We'll look at pictures,
And hear the story, too.
Oh, what fun it is to share
This story time with you!
I'm a ready listener
Read me a book
Hands in my lap at the teacher I look
When I am ready the teacher will say
This is the book that I have for you today.