The Hills Are Alive… | By: Committee for Children Who would have thought Songs and Chants bring FOCUS? To start the day I have always sung the “Good Morning Song”. Sung to the tune of Happy Birthday, I begin by singing “Good Morning to you, Good Morning to you, Good Morning dear *second grade, Good Morning to you!” This tells my students it is time to stop whatever they are doing, put away their things, and have their hands folded and eyes on me. They of course are encouraged to sing along too, which helps them stop conversations they are having and get them focused on beginning class. If it looks like some aren’t quite ready, I sing another verse (and usually use some hand motions encouraging them to hurry up with a smile of course-). Using singing is a great way to start the day and teach focus. Other times throughout the day where songs or chants have really come in handy is when it is time to get ready for walking to PE or Library or really anywhere where we are lining up at the door preparing to walk through the hall. Any teacher is super proud to get those compliments about your class walking quietly in the hall. More importantly, you don’t want your students to keep others from learning because of your class’s disruptive hall behavior. My favorite chant to prepare for this adventure down the hall is the chant, “I’m ready for the hall!” It goes like this, “I’m giving myself a great big hug. I’m standing straight and tall. I’m looking straight in front of me. I’m ready for the hall.” Most of the time, after a lot of practice of course, this is a huge help in preparing for the hall adventure. I let the kids say it really loud at first too and then we whisper by the end, which really allows them to not only tell themselves to get quiet for the hall but actually practice it. I know there are lots of other strategies, zipping the lip and throwing away the key, 1, 2, 3 eyes on me, etc. but for me this hall chant allows your students to practice some social and emotional behaviors that help them self regulate and focus. With this chant, first they must keep their hands to themselves by hugging themselves (which means they must get their hands off others), then when it says they are standing straight and tall, their hands to go straight down to their sides and they are looking at the person’s head in front of them, and then of course their mouth is saying the chant and then whispering to a close. This hall chant alone, allows them to prepare mentally, physically, and emotionally. There are so many other times throughout the day where songs and chants provide focus. One of my other favorites is “This is the Way We Wash Our Hands”. This is a great one to signal it is time to get ready for lunch. Instead of always telling my students to put away their things, wash their hands, get their coats, and lunchbox, I just start singing “This is the way we wash our hands, wash our hands, wash our hands, this is the way we wash our hands before we go to lunch”. If it seems it is taking longer than usual to transition, it also is a great time to challenge the class to only “one” verse to get ready”. This motivates them and it prevents you the teacher from nagging. In fact, I think breaking out in song not only brings focus, but indeed creates a more joyful learning environment. I choose to be a joyful teacher like Maria! “The Hills are Alive… with the Sound of Music”. Try it! Use songs and chants to begin your day, throughout your day, and even end your day to help your students develop and practice those important social and emotional skills! Here's my favorite goodbye song! Good Bye (to the tune of the Snow White's Hi Ho, Hi Ho song) Good bye, good bye, It's off to home we go. We've worked and played and had a good day. Good bye, Good bye, Good bye, Good bye.