Saturday, October 24, 2015

Good Morning

We've been in school 40-something days, and I've finally managed to train most of my 26 students to reply to my daily morning greeting. I always tell each one, "Good morning" when I see them at the door. One would think they would know what to say in return, but they don't until someone like myself teaches them. 

I've said these words many a time: 
"So tomorrow when I see you at the door, your goal will be to say 'Good morning' when I say it to you. Let's all practice." 

 I love it when some of them arrive and beat me to the words. Of course, I make a big deal about that, because it's a contagious kind of thing that spurs others to follow suit.

 At this point, if someone doesn't say it back to me, I say, "That's when you say..." and they'll remember the appropriate reply. 

 I just think it's important for little people to practice social awareness and respect. They don't know what that looks like until someone teaches them, and oftentimes that someone is their teacher.  


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12 comments:

  1. Miss TrayersOctober 24, 2015 at 10:26 AM

    This is soooo true! I will shake their hands and I say hello to each one in a different language. There are days when I get stopped by a parent on the way to the door or something and I want to say just go in we're late-but when you see that little one put out their hand asking you to shake it-you have to take the time to do that! :)

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    1. TammyOctober 25, 2015 at 5:59 PM

      Miss Trayers, that morning greeting is too important to miss. :)

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  2. BarbaraOctober 25, 2015 at 8:11 AM

    I never thought of setting that up as a daily goal. It's amazing how many of them just breeze past your "Good Morning" without even glancing at you. I'm ON this!

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    1. TammyOctober 25, 2015 at 6:00 PM

      Barb, yes so true. I'm all about fixing that. :)

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  3. Lyn GoffOctober 25, 2015 at 4:30 PM

    This is something I work on every day with my little ones. I still don't have 100%. I do love when they beat me to it and say "Good Morning Mrs. Goff" when I take them out of their car or when they first see me on the playground.:)
    Lyn

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    1. TammyOctober 25, 2015 at 6:00 PM

      Lyn, I love that you're doing with that with the wee ones.

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  4. Sara at schoolOctober 28, 2015 at 4:59 AM

    I had a class where nobody said 'good morning' back. So I told them the nice, polite thing to do and we went and tried it again. Everyone says good morning now -- and yes, they like to beat me. Sometimes they get to going so fast, I can't spit out their names in time! Sara

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    1. TammyNovember 1, 2015 at 6:17 AM

      Sara, they usually embrace it, huh? They just needed someone to let them know.

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  5. LoriNovember 1, 2015 at 4:34 PM

    There are so many children who are either too shy or have not been taught to speak back. I stand in my hall in the mornings and speak to the kids as they go by and it is always surprising how some don't speak. I have to say it a few times to get a response sometimes. It is definitely a life skill they need to learn.
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. TammyNovember 1, 2015 at 5:13 PM

      Lori, yes it's such an important life skill. I say the earlier they learn it, the better. I know you do too.

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  6. Teaching Little MiraclesNovember 4, 2015 at 4:38 PM

    I emphasize this at the beginning of the year too--and I just noticed today that some of my littles were reverting back to silently walking past me. Time to work on it again!

    Crystal

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    1. TammyNovember 5, 2015 at 4:39 PM

      Crystal, oh yep it's time for sure. They'll get it. :)

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