1. Circle Time Mini Schedule
The “Circle Time Mini Schedule” assists children with understanding teacher expectations and activity transitions that will occur during the coarse of circle time. Some children have a hard time “hanging in” with circle. A mini schedule provides children with predictability and gives a sense of how long or how many activities occur in circle prior to the next classroom activity.
When utilizing the circle time mini schedule the teacher should display the activity cue cards in such a way that it is visible and easily accessible. A binder folder can be placed on end to form an easel and pictures can be adhered using Velcro. Children can assist the teacher in choosing the activities they would like to do in circle and the order in which they would like to do them. As circle activities are introduced, the teacher should point to or physically show the visual card to indicate an upcoming activity. Upon completion of activities, pictures can be either turned over or removed while saying, “Look, we are all done with story (turn over picture), now we are going to get up and dance (while showing the “dance” picture).”
The visuals for the circle time mini schedule are not numbered to allow for user flexibility. The pictures can be arranged or omitted according to the classroom needs.
For developmentally younger children a photograph version is easier to understand. Some teachers may want to use the picture version as a model to create their own personalized version by photographing pictures in their environment to represent each activity that would occur during circle. Photographs can be cut out, laminated, and placed on a strip of laminated cardstock, or on a First-Then (see Visual Strategies folder on CD for First-Then Board), to form a horizontal sequence of steps for the child to follow.
Lentini, R., Vaughn, B. J., & Fox, L. (2005). Teaching Tools for Young Children
with Challenging Behavior. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida,
Early Intervention Positive Behavior Support.
Sample visuals created using pictures from Microsoft Clipart® and Boardmaker®

2. If your class calls an activity something other than what is currently available please feel free to make adaptations. You can double click on the word, located above the picture, to change the text label. Also, a blank template for 2x2 pictures or photographs has been provided on the last slide. If you would like to personalize pictures or make additional picture prompts, you can paste the pictures into the template and add text using the “text box” on the bottom tool bar.
Print the pictures on cardstock (or printer paper glued to a manila file folder), cut them, laminate them, and place a piece of Velcro (rough side) on the back of each picture and a small sliver of a Velcro (rough side) on the front side above the text. Velcro on both sides allow the teacher to turn a picture over to communicate when an area is full or closed and still have it stick to the board. Print directions are on slide 3.
The pictures are attached on a laminated “First-Then Board”. The First-Then Board (located in the Visual Strategies folder on your CD) should have strips of Velcro (the soft side) across the front (see photograph of sample). Some teachers find it useful to store the extra pictures on the back of the First-Then Board. Others may want to create a “storage binder” (see photo sample of storage binder in “Class Visual Schedule” file) with tabbed file folders for picture storage.
To view photographs at a larger size, go to “view” on tool bar & then “zoom”.
Assembly Directions
Beginning view of
circle mini schedule
Turn over picture as activities are completed
Hand the child the picture of the next place to go
Using a binder allows for mini schedule to stand as an easel
Lentini, R., Vaughn, B. J., & Fox, L. (2005). Teaching Tools for Young Children
with Challenging Behavior. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida,
Early Intervention Positive Behavior Support.
Sample visuals created using pictures from Microsoft Clipart® and Boardmaker®

3. PRINT DIRECTIONS FOR CIRCLE MINI SCHEDULE
Step 2:
Select slides to print pictures
Type 4-5
Step 3:
Select “slides”
Step 4:
Type # of copies
Step 1:
Click on File & select Print
Step 5:
Click OK
Note: You will also need to print and assemble the “First-Then Board” located in the Visual Strategies Folder on your CD to assemble the Circle Mini Schedule.
Sample visuals created using pictures Boardmaker®
Lentini, R., Vaughn, B. J., & Fox, L. (2005). Teaching Tools for Young Children
with Challenging Behavior. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida,
Early Intervention Positive Behavior Support.

4. story sing music puppets instruments finger play record dance exerciseCD
calendar
weather
sit on floor
stand
sit
Lentini, R., Vaughn, B. J., & Fox, L. (2005). Teaching Tools for Young Children
with Challenging Behavior. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida,
Early Intervention Positive Behavior Support.
Created using pictures from Microsoft Clipart®.

5. pledge follow the leader movie
Lentini, R., Vaughn, B. J., & Fox, L. (2005). Teaching Tools for Young Children
with Challenging Behavior. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida,
Early Intervention Positive Behavior Support.
Created using pictures from Microsoft Clipart®.