Don't you just love when you are doing something totally unrelated to teaching and you get a great idea? This happened to me while I was driving last week.
I decided when my students returned to school on Thursday I would have a secret word they had to say before they could get in the door. When Thursday morning rolled around I stood at the door, stopped each child and gave them the spill about our secret word routine.
Each day before they can enter our room they must tell me good morning!
Graphic from the fabulous Ashley Hughes.
This secret word was met with giggles from the students and smiles from parents dropping their kids off on the first day. It was a fabulous way to get our day started!
On Friday morning I stood at the door patiently waiting for my students to arrive. As soon as they rounded the corner I was met with big grins and, as soon as they got to my door, each child said, "Good Morning!"
Even when I had a few students come in later than most and I was already working on the roll at my desk they waved to me from the doorway and said, "Good Morning!"
This will without a doubt before a tradition/routine in my classroom. I was thrilled to get the chance to greet each of my students individually and see them start the day off with a smile!
I'm even thinking that we could switch up our word for different things that are going on throughout the year. Any suggestions on what we could use for the secret word?
I do the same thing first thing in the morning, and I shake their hand! It starts the day off right!
ReplyDeleteMelissa
Ms. Chae Charges In
Sounds fun! What about saying good morning in different languages???
ReplyDeleteJen
Jenniferkime@hotmail.com
I also do this as well as a good bye at the end of the day... with 6th graders no less. They love it! One boy slipped out in a rush one particularly busy afternoon. He got all the way down the stairs, then came racing back up because he forget to say good bye and to razz me a bit because he had gotten past me. LOL!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! I always tell my students good morning as they come in, but they don't always say it back. I like the idea of making it the secret word they have to say before they come in.
ReplyDeleteKatie
Cowgills Corner
What a great idea! I like the welcoming tradition you have started with your class.
ReplyDeleteI love this, Courtney! I always say good morning too but sometimes barely get a look:) I like how you made it a secret word to come in and am totally stealing this! Thanks for sharing:)
ReplyDelete~Holly
Fourth Grade Flipper
I love this idea. I always stand at the door and greet each student with a "Good Morning" and a smile. I never thought of making it a secret word! This would definitely get the reluctant and shy talkers to open up. I am going to try this in my room next week.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Courtney! My kids come straight to the classroom instead of sitting outside at the pavilion. They have to have a "secret word" to get by Admin to enter my room. I might start doing a secret word in the afternoon before they dismiss! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAlison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learin'
I like that!! I have an end of day tradition---they get a choice of either a hug or a high five from me as they go. I like the morning one---and I like someone else's suggestion of foreign languages. I inadvertently did that with my good-bye tradition last year and would be fun to teach the kids!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of saying good morning in different languages.
ReplyDelete