Over the years I’ve taught in a variety of settings—and no matter what the setting, when children have the opportunity to come together with other children from their grade or school, they benefit in many ways. At a school gathering, they learn what it means to be a good audience member, they practice leadership and public speaking, and they develop a vision of themselves as members of a community.
One tip I like to give is to establish a simple, predictable format for school gatherings, and that includes thinking about how to start the gatherings. A great way to start is with a group greeting that actively involves students, acknowledges all of them, and sets a welcoming, upbeat tone that says “This school is yours. You get to learn and grow here.”
Here are some things to think about when choosing greetings and helping teachers prepare:
To give you a taste of possible greetings for school gatherings, here’s a greeting for the first gathering of the year:
(Teachers chant. Students stand up as their grade is called.)
Another year has just begun.
Time for learning and for fun.
Your teachers want to welcome you.
Say hello, how do you do?
Kindergarten, stand up!
First grade, you too!
Second grade, glad you’re here.
Third grade, what’s new?
Fourth grade leads the rest.
(Name of school) is the best!
Welcome back to everyone.
That’s our greeting, now it’s done!
(Everyone)
Yeah, (name of school)!
And here are two ideas for greetings that would be fun at any time of year:
Leader: Hidey, Hidey, Hidey, Ho!
Group: Hidey, Hidey, Hidey, Ho!
Leader: What d’ya say, what d’ya know?
Group: What d’ya say, what d’ya know?
Leader: Hidey, Hidey, Hidey, Hay!
Group: Hidey, Hidey, Hidey, Hay!
Leader: Hope you have a wonderful day!
Group: Hope you have a wonderful day!
Two, four, six, eight
Who do we appreciate?
Kindergarten
Yeah, kindergarten! (kindergartners raise arms as in a wave)
Two, four, six, eight
Who do we appreciate?
First grade
Yeah, first grade! (first graders raise arms as in a wave)
Two, four, six, eight
Who do we appreciate?
Second grade
Yeah, second grade! (second graders raise arms as in a wave)
Two, four, six, eight
Who do we appreciate?
Third grade
Yeah, third grade! (third graders raise arms as in a wave)
Fourth grade, etc.
Susie Cook is a Responsive Classroom teacher.