Circle Time

[nschildcare]

I keep things really active and involve the kids as much as possible.

I think 'active' is the key word, at least for my group

Some simple active ideas:
Tell a story and have the kids act out characters or actions. Familiar stories that you can "tell" and the kids "know".
Animal songs = act like the animals
Make a letter or shape or number with their body and/or friend
Simple stretches - sit with your legs in a V and make pizza. Spread the sauce, sprinkle cheese, chop up pepperoni, etc
Charades
Weather actions - have a rainstorm, rain gets louder, louder, louder, BOOM. I have dowels that they tap on the floor for rain, and then clap together for thunder
Yoga - I am a children's yoga instructor but if you are familiar with some basic yoga poses you can bring that into your circle time. I do it as a separate activity, though.
Google some fingerplays. My kids love these and it is easy to find some that correspond with your theme or for holidays.

I don't usually have cds for circle time but we usually have music on in the background, otherwise. I really like Sharon Lois and Bram and Charlotte Diamond. I used to have a cd by David Suzuki, too, can't remember what it was called, but it was an environmental one and the kids loved the songs on that. Very catchy and upbeat. I like some of the Barenaked Ladies kids cd. Mostly we listen to to the ones I mentioned, Raffi, Fred Penner and then some music I like, Jack Johnson esp.