GOODBYE - HELLO

Yesterday we said "Hello" and today we'll say "Goodbye."

It Is Time to Say Goodbye  (Tune:  “Coming Round the Mountain”)

Clap your hands and stomp your feet as you sing:

It is time to say “goodbye” to all my friends.

It is time to say “goodbye” to all my friends.

It is time to say “goodbye,” give a smile

and wink your eye.

It is time to say “goodbye” to all my friends.

Goodbye, friends.  Yee haw!

Goodbye Friends  (Tune:  “Where Is Thumbkin?”)

Goodbye friends.

Goodbye friends.  (Children repeat each line.)

Time to go.

Time to go.

We had fun learning.

We had fun learning.

Love you so.

Love you so.

The More We Get Together

Sing in sign language:

         The more we get together, together, together.

         The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.

         For your friends are my friends,

and my friends are your friends.

         The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.

         The more we learn together…

         The more we play together…

         The more we sing together…

Goodbye, Good Friends! (Tune:  “Down by the Bay”)

See you later, alligator!                  (Open and shut arms to the right.)

After while, crocodile!              (Open and shut arms to the left.)

In an hour, sunflower!            (Cup hands around face like a flower.)

Maybe two, kangaroo!              (Hands up like paws and hop.)

Gotta go, buffalo!                         (Slap hands.)

Adios, hippos!                           (Thumb over shoulder.)

Chow, chow, brown cow!            (Make hands like horns by head.)

See you soon, baboon!                (Scratch like a baboon.)

Adieu, cockatoo!                       (Hands in arm pits and flap.)

Better swish, jellyfish.              (Palms together and wiggle.)

Chop chop, lollipop.                          (Chop one hand in palm of other hand.)

Gotta run, skeleton!              (Run in place.)

Bye-bye, butterfly!                     (Arms out and flap like wings.)

Better shake, rattlesnake.         (Wiggle down.)

Good-bye, my good friends!         (Wave good-bye.)

Goodbye Now 

Goodbye, now, goodbye, now,  (Pretend to wave good-bye.)

The clock says we’re done.

We had fun singing,

Now goodbye everyone.

I love you a little.  (Hold up thumb and index finger.)

I love you a lot.     (Spread arms wide.)

My love for you could fill…

         Fourteen pots,

                  Twelve tin cans,

                           Five tea cups,

                                    And two dish pans!

We Had a Good Day  (Tune:  “La Cucaracha”)

We had a good day,

we had a great day.                      (Stand and sway from left to right.)

So pat yourself on the back.      (Pat yourself on your back.)

We had a good day, we had a great day.

So pat yourself on the back.

We thought a lot today    (Put one finger in the air and twirl around.)

We learned in many ways,

So kiss your brain.   (Kiss fingertips and then touch head.)

We thought a lot today, we learned in many ways,

So kiss your brain.

It’s time to say so long and end with a song.  (Wave both hands.)

Wave good-bye to your friends.

It’s time to say so long and end with a song.

Wave good-bye to your friends.

What Did You Learn Today?

Hey, hey, what do you say?         (Clap and snap to the beat.)

What did you learn in school today?

When the teacher points your way

What will you say?

 (Teacher points to children and they say what they learned.)

Hey, hey, what do you say?

We all had a special day!

Now, turn to a friend and say

What you learned today.

(Children share what they learned with friends.)

May There Always Be Sunshine (Tune:  “Stuball Was a Racehorse”

May there always be sunshine.

May there always be blue skies.

May there always be children.

May there always be you.

May there always be stories.

May there always be music.

May there always be teachers

To care for you.

May there always be sunshine.

May there always be blue skies.

May you always feel special,

Because you are you!

HELLO - GOODBYE

I don’t know why you say goodbye I say hello.  Hello, hello…

I received an email last week from someone asking for a goodbye song.  I thought it was really cool that their administrator asked them to do an opening song and an ending song each day in their classroom.  I aim to please, so today you’ll find a few “Hello” activities and tomorrow I’ll share some “Goodbye” songs.

Brain research would suggest choosing one song to start your day and one song to end your day.  Use the same songs for a month so they will become “indicator” activities in the brain.  Indicator activities let your students know in a positive way when it is time to learn and turn on the brain and when it is time to bring closure to the day.

Hello!  How Are You?  (“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 child.)

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.

Turn to your neighbor and shake their hand.         (Shake hands.)

Turn to your neighbor and shake their hand.        

Turn to your neighbor and shake their hand,

Shake their hand this morning.

Hello, Neighbor!   (“Good Night, Ladies”)

Hello, neighbor.                  (Wave to partner.)

What do you say?                  (Give high five.)

It’s going to be a                  (Slap thighs, clap hands,

Happy day.                           clap hands in the air with partner.)

Greet your neighbor.         (Shake hands.)

Boogie on down.                  (Hands on hips and wiggle.)

Give a bump,                           (Bump thighs.)

And turn around.                  (Wave hands in air and turn around.)

Shake a Hand   (Tune:  “Buffalo Gal”)

Everybody shake a hand, shake a hand, shake a hand.  (Walk around and

Everybody shake a hand and walk around the room.      shake hands.)

Give high 5.  (High five.)

Hug a hand.  (Palms together, wrap thumbs around, and squeeze.)

Knuckle bump.  (Make fists and bump knuckles.)

Boogey down.  (Wiggle down and up with a friend.)

Smile and wink and walk back to your seat.  (Smile and wink.)

Morning Rock

Begin this pattern:  stomp, stomp, clap ~ stomp, stomp, clap, etc.

(It’s similar to the beat of “We Will Rock You.”)

Teacher’s name class is super.  (Stomp, stomp, clap.)

We think first child’s name is super.  (Stomp, stomp, clap.)

We think second child’s name is super.  (Stomp, stomp, clap.)

We think third child’s name is super. (Stomp, stomp, clap.)

And so on using each child’s name in the room.

Compliment Circle

Children sit in a circle and the teacher beings by giving a child a compliment.  The first child then passes on a compliment to another friend and so on until everyone has had a turn giving and receiving a compliment.

*Let children toss a sponge ball or bean bag around as they compliment each other.

Hint!  Give a “hand hug.”  Teacher squeezes the first child’s hand, then they continue to pass the “hand hug” around the circle until it gets back to the teacher.

*You can also “pass” a smile around the room.

Starting Line-Up

Have the class form two lines facing each other.  One at a time, announce a child like they announce players at a football game.  (For example:  “Starting line-up for Ms. James’s room is Daniel Wong.  He has brown hair and enjoys soccer.  Let’s hear it for Daniel!”)  That child runs through the middle of the lines as everyone gives them a high five, a pat on the back, and an encouraging word. 

Hint!  Older children could write their own descriptions for this activity.

Morning Mantra

         What is my job today?                                    (Teacher asks.)

         Your job is to teach us and to love us.         (Children respond.)

         What is your job today?                           (Teacher asks.)

         Our job is to learn and to love each other.         (Children respond.)

Turn on Your Brain

Start the day by having your students “turn on their brains.”  They turn on the left side (twist by left forehead), the right side (twist by right forehead), the left ear, the right ear, the left eye, and the right eye.  They don’t have to turn on their mouths because they stay “on” all the time.  Now they are ready to learn!!!

FLYING HIGH IN THE MILE HIGH CITY

Last week in Denver someone described me as “pinterest gone wild”!  Another teacher called me Gaga Jean.  What fun!  Take a look at some of these terrific ideas they shared.  It’s so interesting to visit different parts of the United States because I always learn something new!

Hundreds Club (Bobbi Cure)

When a child counts to 100 they get their name under “Count to 100 by 1’s.”

When a child counts to 100 by 10’s they get their name under “Count to 100 by 10’s.”

When they count to 100 by 5’s they get their name under “Count to 100 by 5’s.”

When they can write to 100 by 1’s they get their name under “Write to 100 by 1’s.”

When all four are accomplished, they get a crown that says “100’s Club.”

Reading Glasses (Christine Thomas)

Pop the lens out of inexpensive reading glasses.  When you are doing a reading group those students get to wear the glasses.  Other students are not allowed to interrupt when the reading glasses are on!

Matching Games  (Christine Thomas)

Make a board game that looks like a parking lot.  Write uppercase letters in the spaces.  Children can “park” cars with lowercase letters or pictures matching sounds on the board.

*Make a haunted house where children match letters or numbers on the house with little ghosts.

Make a turkey body and then match feathers with alphabet letters.  They can also put feathers in alphabetical order.

Use a Christmas tree and let children match ornaments with letters or numerals.

Catch a Bubble  (Mary Rodriguez)

When you need students to be silent quickly, ask them to catch a bubble in their mouths.

Freeze, Please!  (Theresa)

Here’s another attention grabber.

Freeze, please!

Hands on your knees!

Munch Monster (BethAnn Lundahl)

Munch monster, munch monster,

Munch, munch, munch.

How about a “triangle”

For your lunch?

Munch, munch, munch.

Make a munch monster out of a swing trashcan, puppet, etc.  Let the children feed the monster shapes, numbers, letters, or whatever you are working on.

Voting Sticks  (BethAnn Lundahl)

Use popsicle sticks as “voting sticks.”  Let the children vote between two books or two activities by placing their popsicle stick in the cup of their choice.  Let them estimate which is greater or less than.  Count.  The majority rules!

Caterpillar Math  (BethAnn Lundahl)

Make a caterpillar head out of a paper plate using pipe cleaners for antennae and googly eyes.  Cut red and yellow circles out of construction paper and write the numerals 1-24 (or however many students you have) on them.  Children can line up in numerical order by placing their number next to the caterpillar’s head. 

*Can they walk like a caterpillar (a weaving line) to the playground without the caterpillar coming apart?

Shoe Club

Once a child can tie her shoes, let her write her name on the “shoe club” poster.  When someone needs help tying their shoes encourage them to find someone in the shoe club to help them.

Erase the Face  (Anna Grose)

This is a take off on hangman.  Draw a seasonal picture on the board, such as a turkey, snowman, etc.  Think of a word or phrase and make blanks for the letters.  Children guess letters.  If they guess a letter in the word the teacher writes it on the blank and gives a point to the kids.  If they miss a letter, then the teacher gets a point and you erase part of the seasonal object.

Flip Book  (Melinda Lascurain)

Turn a flip book vertically.  Glue the bottom flap on the bottom and outside edge.  If you use construction paper 8 1/2 x 11 paper cut in half “hotdog” style it will fit.  Students put a skill sheet inside and open all the doors.  They get to “cover” or “close the door” for items as you call them out.  They can all have the same card or make different cards.  Play until all “doors” are closed.

LOVE Book  (Jenni Willette)

Write the word LOVE on the front of a flip book.  Children open each flap and draw pictures or write words of what they love inside.

MALL OF AMERICA

Minneapolis might have one of the best malls in America, but you’ll also find some of the best teachers in America there as well!  Sometimes I get weary of the planes and hotel rooms, but then I meet YOU and it’s all worthwhile!

Oh, Yeah!  (Sarah Farber)

Make an “O” above your head as you say, “Oh.”

Make a “Y” by extending your arms in the air as you say, “Yeah!”

Line Up Chant  (Lisa Hegard)

As tall as a tree.  (Put arms in the air.)

As big as a house.  (Stretch arms out to the sides.)

As think as a pin.  (Stand up straight with arms by sides.)

As quiet as a mouse.  (Say this line softly with index finger over lips.)

I Can Read Apron

Write “I Can Read” on an apron with puff paints.  Put pointers (chopsticks with glitter on the end) in the pockets along with fun glasses or letter finders (cardboard shaped like magnifying glasses laminated with clear center).  Children get to wear the apron and read the room.

Never Losers, Always Winners!  (D. Ann Davey)

Make the letter “L” with your left hand and right hand by sticking out your thumb and sticking up your pointer.  Bring the “L’s” together to make the letter “W.”

Shape Hunt  (Sarah Farber)

Draw shapes on paper and attach to a clipboard.  Go on a scavenger hunt around the school to find these shapes on the floors, walls, and everywhere!

*You could also hunt for 3-D shapes.

A, E, I , O, U  (Lisa Jerve, MN)

Say the vowels as a transition activity.  Point to each child as you say “A, E, I, O, U may go.”  The last student you point to (“U”), can line up.  Continue until everyone has lined up.

C Prints  (Amy Hamilton)

For a fun way to express the letter “C,” cut away part of a cup.  Let the children dip it in paint and print and you’ll have a page full of C’s.

Letter Matching Spoons  (Lynn Quackenbush)

Write uppercase letters on white plastic spoons.  Write lowercase letters on clear, plastic spoons.  Let children put the spoons together to match the letters.

Card Game  (Rachel Udelhoven)

Remove the face cards from a deck of cards.  Children face each other and draw one card at a time.  They place the card in numerical order in front of them.  If the card isn’t needed, they place it in the “trash” between them.  The next player can choose the card in the trash or draw a new card.  The first child to fill in 1-10 is the winner.

WE LIKE BOOKS!

As a teacher, you have to be a salesperson.  You have to SELL children on reading and books.  Go to drjean.org and you can get a free download of this song called "We Like Books."  What a great springboard for developing some Common Core Standards!
  
We Like Books

(“Cadence” –Children repeat each line.)

We like to read, yes we do.         (Slap thighs and step from side to side.)

We like books.  How about you?  (Point to self and then others.)

Books are my friends wherever I go.

When I have a book I’m never alone.  (Shake head.)

Search for treasure, solve mysteries.  (Hand over forehead.)

Meet famous people from history.

Ride on a dinosaur long ago.  

Or fly to the future with a UFO.  (Slap hands.)

You can travel to faraway places.   (Arms out like airplane.)

Mountains, beaches, or desert oasis.

Learn about pandas and rattle snakes.  (Palms together like snake.)

Just look in a book, that’s all it takes.

If you’re feeling sad or blue   (Look sad.)

Books are always there for you.   (Smile and open palms like a book.)

Activities:  Have a “dress up like your favorite book character” day and encourage children to describe their character.

Gather books from the classroom library and challenge children to sort them.  What sorting rule did they use?

Take a field trip to your local library and help each child sign up for a library card.

Display a cookbook, travel book, fairy tale book, poetry book, nature book, etc.  If you wanted to take a trip, which book would you choose?  If you wanted to learn more about alligators, which book would you choose?  What if you wanted to make cookies?

Do a graph of children’s favorite author or book.

Be a Buddy - Last summer before I recorded this song my grandson and I did a simple video.  Well, now you can download the arrangements and vocals from free at drjean.org.  
Activities:   Role play the steps in the song.  Let children take turns being “bullies” and “buddies” and acting out what they should do.

Make a book called “A Buddy Is…” where each child contributes a drawing of how they can be a buddy.

Run off “Buddy Coupons” for children to distribute to friends who are kind to them.  You could also have a “Buddy Board” where children write the names of buddies.

SWEET SUNDAY

Some thoughts from my heart today!

My niece and her husband and daughter were here for Thanksgiving.  Their little girl weighed less than two pounds when she was born, but now she’s a healthy, happy, precious eight year old.  My niece once said, “My daughter may never be homecoming queen or valedictorian, but she’s better than I deserve.”  For some reason, that touched my heart.  Shouldn’t all parents feel that way about their child?  They don’t have to be the brightest, fastest, or best-looking – they are an amazing gift just the way they are!

Christmas cannot be seen or heard, but must be felt in the heart.
       -Helen Keller

Friday night my husband and I were blessed to hear the Charleston Gospel Chorus perform their Christmas concert.   I wish you had all been there with me, because that is the spirit and joy of what the season is all about!

When we got home we turned on the television, and what should appear but the Norcoss, Georgia, High School football game.  In Charleston, South Carolina?  My best friend from high school has a son who is a football coach at Norcross High School.  I called her Saturday morning and she was stunned that I made the connection.  Why on earth would we turn on the television to that channel?  Must have been one of those angel feathers that are falling this time of year!  

So whenever something special happens over the next month, you just smile to yourself because you will know that it's not magic or luck - it's an angel feather!

IT'S A WRAP!

After months and months of working on new ideas, editing, recording, and singing my new CD is finally finished!!!  “Move It!  Learn It!’ has 28 songs and 28 instrumentals to make you want to dance, sing, smile, and learn!  Take a look at these titles:

1. Move It and Get Fit!
2. Feeling Fine
3. Shake a Hand
4. My Flag 
5. Be a Buddy
6. Twisting the Week 
7. Month March 
8. Gooo Letters! 
9. Letters in My Hand 
10. Letters You Should Know A-M
11. Letters You Should Know N-Z
12. Color Box 
13. Opposite Cheer 
14. Preposition March
15. We Like Books 
16. This Is How You Learn to Read
17. Alphabet Remix
18. Karate Chop Skip Count
19. Pump Up to 100
20. Let’s Move! 
21. Bubblegum Dance
22. Giddy Up
23. Steppin’ Up
24. Dancing in My Chair
25. Hawaiian Cross Crawl
26. Stretch and Breath
27. Bolero Balance
28. Todaloo

As a special introductory offer you can download the complete set in December for $14.95.  (The two hard disks are $30, and that includes shipping.)  What a great gift this would make to yourself or from a parent!  There are two free downloads on my website, so either way you’ll get a little gift from me!  Happy singing!