(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")
I like to come to school.
I like to come to school.
I like to learn and play each day
I like to come to school.
I like to make new friends…
I like to read and write…
I like to do math…
I like to sing and draw…/
*Ask children other things they like about school and insert their suggestions in the song.
*Write children’s suggestions on sentence strips and use in a pocket chart.
*Make a class book where each child draws a picture about what they like best at school. They can dictate or write a sentence to go with their drawings. Read the book several times to the class and then allow children to “check it out” and take it home.
My First Week
You will need zip sandwich bags, construction paper cut to fit in the bags, and photos of each child, a class photo, children's drawings, etc. Glue photos to the construction paper. Next, let the children draw a self-portrait or what they like best at school etc. (They can dictate or write a sentence to go with their illustration.) Insert the paper in the sandwich bags and close. Stack the bags up and then staple outside the zipper to create a water-tight seal.
Hello, How Are You?
(Tune: “Skip to My Lou”)
Hello, first child’s name, how are you? (Wave.)
Hello, second child’s name, how are you?
Hello, third child’s name, how are you?
We’re so glad to see you!
Continue singing the song inserting children’s names.
Turn to your neighbor and shake their hand… (Shake hands.)
Turn to your neighbor and give high five…(Give high five.)
I Like You!
(Tune: “Shortnin’ Bread”)
I like child’s name, there’s no doubt about it. (Point to self
I like child’s name, there’s no doubt about it. and then a
I like child’s name, there’s no doubt about it. child.)
We are all good friends. (Make sign language for “friend”
by hooking index fingers.)
Echo Song
(Tune: “Where Is Thumbkin?”)
The teacher sings the first line and the children answer singing the second line.
Who has two eyes? (Teacher asks)
I have two eyes. (Children respond)
Who has one nose? (Teacher asks)
I have one nose. (Children respond)
Who has two ears (Teacher asks)
I have two ears. (Children respond)
Now we know. (Clap and sing together)
Now we know.
Continue singing other questions about eye color, pets, siblings, likes, hobbies, etc. Talk about how we are alike and how we are different.
How Are You Feeling Today?
Some children will be thrilled about starting school and some children will be scared to death. It is important for children to recognize and name their feelings, and it is also important for teachers to accept those feelings. Teach children sign language for happy, sad, sleepy, angry, scared. (Visit aslpro.com to see a video clip of these signs.) As you sing the song to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It" children can make the appropriate sign and discuss their feelings.
How are you feeling today?
How are you feeling today?
Show us the sign,
And it will be just fine.
How are you feeling today?
*Insert “happy,” “sad,” “angry,” “sleepy,” “scared” in the song as you hold up puppets with those expressions. Children can stand when the emotion they are feeling is sung.
*Make puppets with expressions that children can hold up as you sing.
