Back to School

"The Hello Song"

 

Welcome back to school! I'm starting this a little late (and hoping that I can actually keep up with my year once I catch up!) I wanted to start with a simple idea that has been a huge hit for my kids. I wasn't really expecting this to be in such "high demand" but my kids ask for it every day. "The Hello Song" found on Youtube or Pinterest (a personal favorite for new ideas) is a morning or afternoon activity that we play at the beginning of class. The students at my school follow S.O.A.R rules (Safety, Organization, Achievement, Respect) and this activity has helped "teach" those concepts in vocal music. We discuss being safe and organized, achieving and being respectful then demonstrate those skills by playing "Hello Song". The students will demonstrate safety by moving around the room in their "free space", organization by following the directions for the game, achievement by marching to the steady beat and freezing when the music stops, and respect when they shake hands with a neighbor during the "paused music" and say good morning or good afternoon. That basically sums up the rules as well. Play the song, march around the room, freeze when the music is paused, shake hands and say good morning/afternoon, and repeat until the end of the song. The end of the song will become familiar with the kids and they'll make their way back to their seats as it comes to a close.