Introductions

Have a a inflatable microphone or a homemade one, and have
 each child come up and tell a little about themselves using the microphone.
  They really think that this is cool! I always tell a little about myself too!

Yearlong Language Logs

Here's a unique yet easy way to keep track of children's language progress and
 cognitive development.  Every month, record each student's response to a simple
 question.  For example, you might ask, "If you could drive a car, where would you
 like to go?" or "If you could make your favorite food, how would you cook it?"
Record each child's response as accurately as possible on a blank page.
  Then ask him/her to illustrate it.  Bind each child's pages together to make a journal.
  Present these journals at an open house or use them during parent conferences.

The Bus Song Language Idea/Bulletin Board

Extend that catchy "Bus Song" into a language arts activity.
Mount a large bus cutout on a board.  Have children color
and cut out illustrations of people or things to be mounted
in or on the bus.  Write each youngster's dictation on a
construction-paper speech balloon; then display it near
 his/her illustration.

Circle Time Ideas

Have a calendar on display. Each day, count with the kids
 (count in funny ways like soft or loud, high or low, squeaky
 or scary), name the day of the week (sing the Barney day of
 the week song), talk about the month and the season.
 Help them associate months and seasons
 to their birthday-they love that!

Pre-Reading Skills Activity

Materials Needed:
Folder with clips inside,
clear plastic insert sheets,
camera and film, (Polaroid if possible)

Description:
Prior to the children arriving I type a page for each child.  On the bottom
 of the page in large letters I type "My name is____________. "   Don't
 forget to type one for each staff member too. The first day of school I
take each child's picture. I glue the picture on each child's individual
 page and put all the pages in the folder. On the cover of the book
 I have a picture of the class.

Comments:
I like to read this book the first few weeks of school during circle.
 It only takes a few days before the children are reading it with you.
  I also put it on the book rack for the children to "read."