START WITH A SMILE AND A SONG

How are you going to start your day? I liked to stand by the door and personally greet each child with a hug or a handshake.

Note! If your school restricts physical contact, a smile or air hug will go a long way.

Think about the routine you want to use each day and just jump right in...

Do you call it circle time or morning meeting or??? Whatever you call it, choose an active song that you like and use it to get the blood going to the brain and release wiggles.

It's important to choose a song and do the same song every day. That way it will become an "indicator activity" and when the children hear it they'll know it's time to get the show started!

These are some of my favorite good morning songs:

Rise and Shine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyAD2OoFuoY

Feeling Fine 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bm8lk7lvUg

Time to Get Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39__jCTwNt0

Sharing Good News (Jessica Williams)

Write children’s names on craft sticks and place in a jar that says “Good News.” The teacher starts every morning by sharing her own “good news.” The children clap or cheer for her. Next, she pulls a stick and the class sings, "Tell me something good!" That child shares their good news and then the class does a cheer. The teacher pulls the second stick and they sing, "Tell me something good" and then cheer. Do three children each day and then put those who have had a turn in an envelope and start all over again when everyone has had a turn. 

Turn on Your Brain

Start the day by having your students “turn on their brains.” 

Turn on the left side (twist by left forehead).

Turn on the right side (twist by right forehead).

Turn on the left ear…

Turn on the right ear...

Turn on the left eye… 

And the right eye. 

You don’t have to turn on your mouth because it stays “on” all the time. 

Now you are ready to learn!!!

GOOD MORNING SONGS

How do you start your day? I liked to stand by the door and personally greet each child with a hug or a handshake.

Note! If your school restricts physical contact, a smile or air hug will go a long way.

Think about the routine you want to use each day and just jump right in...

Do you call it circle time or morning meeting or??? Whatever you call it, choose an active song that you like and use it to get the blood going to the brain and release wiggles.

It's important to choose a song and do the same song every day. That way it will become an "indicator activity" and when the children hear it they'll know it's time to get the show started!

These are some of my favorite good morning songs:

Rise and Shine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyAD2OoFuoY

Feeling Fine 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bm8lk7lvUg

Time to Get Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39__jCTwNt0

Here's a video I did several years ago with some morning routines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HnBi61cfiU

HOW DO ANIMALS SAY GOOD MORNING!

https://bit.ly/drjAnimal

PD at Home - GOOD MORNING SONGS

Several years ago I recorded some "mini" workshops in Texas for the Education Service Center 13. (O.K., to be honest, when you look at the videos you'll realize that I looked quite a big younger 10 years ago than I do now.)

Over the next week I'll post one of those videos each day. I hope that for those of you who can't afford the money or time to attend a conference this summer, this will fill you with ideas and encouragement to start the new school year.

I also hope that these videos will remind you that the best things in life are FREE! Children want and need what they've always wanted. They want to be loved, they want to play and have fun with their friends, and they want to feel confident and capable.

Let's get started today with some good morning songs that will energize children's brains and put a smile on their faces. When you sing, your brain emits endorphins, and endorphins make you happy. Choose one of these songs and use it every day for several weeks or months. It will become an "indicator" activity to let children know that it's time to settle down and get ready for a great day.

Click to view

When you go to an athletic event you will notice how everyone finds their seats and gets ready for the game when they hear the National Anthem.  In the same way, children will be ready to gather and get ready for the "games to begin" when they hear the good morning song.

HOW DO ANIMALS SAY GOOD MORNING!

Check out the new videos that Alex May just created.  Aren't his animal drawings fantastic?

https://bit.ly/drjAnimal

https://bit.ly/drjRise

HELLO NEIGHBOR & I KNOW AN OLD LADY

You'll always have a good day when you start with a song. What a great way to encourage friendship and happiness!

Hello, Neighbor!

Hello, neighbor. (Wave to partner.)
What do you say? (Give high five.)
It’s going to be a (Slap, clap, tap hands.)
Happy day.
Greet your neighbor. (Shake hands.)
Boogie on down. (Wiggle hips.)
Give a bump, (Bump hips.)
And turn around. (Turn around.)

Note! You can do this song as a line dance where children step down to the next partner each time you sing.

Change “bump” to “jump” if your students bump too hard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ywIu30lqKA

Teach children how to shake with their right hand and encourage them to say good morning to their friends by shaking hands.

Here's a video I made several years ago with my granddaughter where I demonstrate some fun handshakes.

Click to view handshakes

I Know an Old Lady

I really do know an old lady - ME!!! Here's a video where I "try" to sing and sign.

Click to view

Note! Instead of having the old lady "die," my lady just "cries." Isn't that better?

Here are a few visuals and craft activities that can be adapted to any version of the Old Lady.

Note!  You can find free images online for the different stories or let children make their own illustrations. 

Sandwich Bag Old Lady

Give children a circle to decorate for the head of the old lady. Staple the head to the back opening of a zip sandwich bag. Staple on strips of paper for arms and legs as shown. Run off copies of the different items for the book or song you are singing. Children line up items in sequential order and then insert them in the bag as you sing.

Paper Plate Old Lady

Cut the center out of a paper plate. Use the center for the Old Lady’s head and attach with a brad fastener. Attach strips of paper with brad fasteners for arms and legs. Tape a sandwich bag to the back of the plate so you can insert illustrations as you sing.

START WITH A SMILE AND A SONG

How are you going to start your first day? I liked to stand by the door and personally greet each child with a hug or a handshake.

Note! If your school restricts physical contact, a smile or air hug will go a long way.

Think about the routine you want to use each day and just jump right in...

Do you call it circle time or morning meeting or??? Whatever you call it, choose an active song that you like and use it to get the blood going to the brain and release wiggles.

It's important to choose a song and do the same song every day. That way it will become an "indicator activity" and when the children hear it they'll know it's time to get the show started!

These are some of my favorite good morning songs:

Rise and Shine

 

Click to view Rise and Shine video

Feeling Fine 

Click to view Feeling Fine

Time to Get Up

Click to view Time to Get Up

Sharing Good News (Jessica Williams)
Write children’s names on craft sticks and place in a jar that says “Good News.” The teacher starts every morning by sharing her own “good news.” The children clap or cheer for her. Next, she pulls a stick and the class sings, "Tell me something good!" That child shares their good news and then the class does a cheer. The teacher pulls the second stick and they sing, "Tell me something good" and then cheer. Do three children each day and then put those who have had a turn in an envelope and start all over again when everyone has had a turn.  

Turn on Your Brain
Start the day by having your students “turn on their brains.”
Turn on the left side (twist by left forehead).
Turn on the right side (twist by right forehead).
Turn on the left ear…
Turn on the right ear...
Turn on the left eye…
And the right eye.
You don’t have to turn on your mouth because it stays “on” all the time.
Now you are ready to learn!!!

#9 THE HEART OF A TEACHER

People sing because they are happy, 

and they are happy because they sing!

Start your day with a song and you’ll be singing all day long! Why? Because when you sing your brain emits endorphins and endorphins make you HAPPY!

Hint! Choose one song and use it every day for a few months. It will then become an "indicator" in the brain to remind your students to get ready for a great day!

THROWBACK

Here are a few of my favorite good morning songs to start your day.  They go to familiar tunes and are easy to sing.

Twinkle Friends (Tune: “Twinkle Little Star”)
Twinkle, twinkle, little star. (Children face partner and gently
touch and wiggle fingertips.)
What a special friend you are.
From your head to your toes, (Touch each other’s head, then toes.)
We are special friends you know. (Hold hands and circle around.)
Twinkle, twinkle, little star. (Children touch fingertips.)
What a special friend you are. (Children hug.)

Hello, Neighbor! (Tune: "Good Night, Ladies")
Hello, neighbor. (Wave to partner.)
What do you say? (Give high five.)
It’s going to be a (Slap, clap, tap hands.)
Happy day.
Greet your neighbor. (Shake hands.)
Boogie on down. (Wiggle hips.)
Give a bump, (Bump hips.)
And turn around. (Turn around.)

Hello Song (Tune: “Skip to My Lou”)
Hello, how are you? (Wave hand.)
Hello, how are you?
Hello, how are you?
How are you this morning?

I am fine, and I hope you are, too. (Point to self, then a friend.)
I am fine, and I hope you are, too.
I am fine, and I hope you are, too.
I hope you are, too, this morning.

ON YOUR MARK!

How are you going to start your first day?  I liked to stand by the door and personally greet each child with a hug or a handshake.  

Note!  If your school is still restricting physical contact, a smile or air hug will go a long way.

Think about the routine you want to use each day and just jump right in...

Do you call it circle time or morning meeting or???  Whatever you call it, choose an active song that you like and use it to get the blood going to the brain and release wiggles.  

It's important to choose a song and do the same song every day.  That way it will become an "indicator activity" and when the children hear it they'll know it's time to get the show started!

These are some of my favorite good morning songs:

Rise and Shine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyAD2OoFuoY

Feeling Fine 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bm8lk7lvUg

Time to Get Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39__jCTwNt0

Handshakes
Hopefully, one day soon you will all be able to connect with your children each morning with the sense of touch and a smile from one of my handshakes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaONx6N7-kM

Rules help children feel secure and know what behavior is expected of them. Here are four simple rules stated in a positive way that will be good to start every day.

Rules Rap
Chorus:
The rules, the rules, the rules of the classroom. (Snap fingers.)
The rules, the rules, the rules of the classroom.

Follow, follow, follow directions, (Point index fingers.)
Follow, follow, follow directions. Chorus

Feet and hands, feet and hands, (Point to feet and hands.)
Feet and hands to yourself. Chorus

Small voices inside, tall voices on the playground.  
(Quiet voice, then loud voice.)
Small voices inside, tall voices on the playground. Chorus

Work together, don’t fight, or you’ll get in trouble.
(Clasp hands, then hold nose.)
Work together, don’t fight, or you’ll get in trouble. Chorus
YEAH!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z60vA7vVYUY

Hint!  If children aren't following the rules move close to them, look them in the eyes, and say, "You know what to do."