Calendar time is a vital part of the kindergarten routine, offering a structured opportunity for young learners to develop various skills. From understanding class rules to engaging with critical math and language concepts, calendar time can be a cornerstone of daily learning. This post will explore how calendar time enhances kindergarten learning and development across several key areas.
Class Rules During Calendar Time
Incorporating class rules into calendar time helps set the tone for the day. This routine reinforces expectations and ensures a smooth start each morning. Reviewing rules during calendar time allows children to internalize them, promoting a positive classroom environment. Discussing rules regularly helps students understand the importance of respect, listening, and cooperation, essential for a productive learning experience.
At the beginning of the year, I chose five rules to use with the class. During the first week of school, I introduced one rule a day. We talked about what it meant and practiced expectations. After we talked about it, the students colored a worksheet with the same image on it as the class poster to help reinforce the meaning of the rule.
The rules become ingrained in students’ minds. When someone talks out of turn, I can say what’s rule #2? The entire class says back to me – listen when someone is speaking. They are all reminded of the expectations at that point, and we can move on with the lesson without interruptions. This takes some time and training at the beginning of the year, but this classroom management strategy we practice during calendar time always works for me.
Month, Days, and Weather
Understanding the concepts of months, days, and weather is fundamental in early education. During calendar time, teachers can introduce children to the current month, the days of the week, and daily weather conditions.
This practice helps students grasp the passage of time and introduces them to patterns and sequences. Discussing the weather daily encourages observational skills and vocabulary development as students learn terms like “sunny,” “cloudy,” “rainy,” and “windy.” I purchased the month, day, and weather posters from teacher stores or Amazon.
Calendar Time Counting
Calendar time provides an excellent opportunity for counting practice. As students count the days in the month, they reinforce number recognition and sequencing skills. Teachers can introduce patterns by highlighting weekends, holidays, and special events, enhancing children’s understanding of repetitive sequences. Calendar counting also sets the stage for more advanced math concepts, such as addition and subtraction, as students begin to see relationships between numbers.
Counting the calendar is also an excellent time for pattern recognition. By using different images on the calendar cards and revealing the numbers a day at a time, students get the anticipation of guessing which pattern they will have for the month.
Days in School Counting
Counting the days in school is a fun and educational activity during calendar time. Each day, students can add a new number to the count, providing a concrete way to visualize the passage of time.
This activity promotes number recognition, counting skills, and an understanding of place value as the numbers grow. Celebrating milestones, like the 100th day of school, can be a special event that reinforces the importance of daily attendance and persistence.
This is another resource I got from Amazon. We focus on counting by one sequentially until the 100th day of school, and then we start focusing on skip counting by 10s, 5s, and 2s to prepare for the first grade.
Graphing Question of the Day During Calendar Time
Incorporating a graphing question of the day during calendar time engages students in data collection and analysis. Teachers can ask questions like “What’s your favorite fruit?” or “How did you get to school today?” and students can add their answers to a class graph.
This activity introduces basic graphing concepts, such as tally marks and bar graphs, and helps students develop critical thinking skills. Analyzing the results together fosters discussions about preferences, trends, and comparisons.
I choose 3 to 4 students a day (depending on my class size) to answer the question per day. I use one of those pocket charts with a pocket at the bottom to store all the names. Don’t for get to make one for yourself, the students love to know what you would pick as well!
Classroom Jobs
Calendar time is an ideal moment to assign and review classroom jobs. Assigning roles such as line leader, door holder, or weather reporter gives students a sense of responsibility and belonging.
Discussing and rotating these jobs during calendar time ensures that everyone has an opportunity to contribute to the classroom community. This practice supports social-emotional development and teaches organizational skills and the importance of teamwork.
I usually rotate the clips on the classroom jobs list at the end of each day to save myself some time the next day. One of my jobs is calendar helper, so much of what has been discussed in this post is done by a student as I look on, often getting other things done like attendance at the same time.
Daily Schedule
Reviewing the daily schedule during calendar time helps students understand the structure of their day. Knowing what to expect reduces anxiety and helps children transition smoothly between activities.
Teachers can use this time to highlight any special events or changes to the routine, ensuring students are prepared and focused. Visual schedules and verbal explanations cater to different learning styles and reinforce time management skills.
Calendar time is a multifaceted tool that enhances kindergarten learning and development in numerous ways. Teachers can create a dynamic and engaging routine by integrating activities focused on class rules, months, days, and weather, calendar counting, days in school counting, graphing questions, classroom jobs, and the daily schedule.
This supports critical math and phonics learning and fosters social-emotional growth and classroom cohesion. Embracing the full potential of calendar time can transform it into a powerful educational experience for young learners.
Many resources are listed here in my Classroom Posters Organizational System and Decor Bundle. In this 10-resource bundle, you get the following for a DEEP discount:
- Alphabet Posters
- Classroom Center System
- Daily Schedule
- Classroom Jobs System
- Classroom Rules and Coloring Pages
- Math Posters
- Morning Greeting Choices
- Visual Direction Cards
- Bulletin Board Calendar Cards
- Question of the Day
This comprehensive bundle is perfect for easy organization at the beginning of the year to help make your classroom setup smooth and easy!
