The Self Nurtured TeacherTM
The Self Nurtured TeacherTM
Music is an important part of the classroom environment in kindergarten and first grade. It can help to create a positive, fun atmosphere and can be used to help promote learning and development in young children. Music can help to create a sense of community in the classroom, and can help to encourage children to interact with each other in a positive way. Morning meeting is a great time to introduce new songs to sing together. Here are 3 ways to use music in a kindergarten morning meeting.
Songs (or chants) can be used to set the tone for the day. The GREETING time during morning meeting is a great place for a song. It allows students to greet and be greeted by as a class. This promotes belonging and inclusion in a fun way.
You can sing a group song that says good morning in general to everyone. These songs are a fun way to sing together and build community. Here are some of my favorite greeting songs for the whole group:
There are also songs and chants that can be used to greet people individually. It is important to hear your name being greeted to build community and a strong sense of belonging in a group. Here are some to try:
PRO-TIP: When first starting the class community, you want to choose songs and greetings that are low risk for students. This might mean you as the teacher are doing most of the singing and students can jump in as they feel ready. As the community becomes more established and feels ‘safe’ for students, you can explore songs that bring students to step out of their comfort zone, without feeling pushed.
Incorporating songs into the morning meeting gives students an opportunity to practice important skills and to express themselves creatively. When children sing, they are actively engaging their brains in learning, and this is beneficial for their overall development. Singing is also a great way to bring children together in a positive way. It allows them to practice their social skills and to learn to work together as a team.
Since every Responsive Classroom™ Morning Meeting has an activity, there are some GREAT activities that include songs or music. Here are some ideas:
PRO-TIP: You can also pull out your musical instruments and have a ‘rock-band’ for a morning meeting activity. This allows students freedom to express themselves alongside their peers. If you don’t have instruments, put on some kid music (or even better create a kid playlist) where kids can sing and dance along as they feel comfortable, within the guidelines of class rules and agreements.
You could share a learning song with students during the morning meeting message. Singing is a great way to reinforce the concepts that are taught in class, such as colors, the days of the week, counting, or the alphabet. For example, create a morning message that practices a concept you’ve been teaching during recent lessons, such as counting to 20.
Maybe you have a number of the day that is in your morning message. Practice these counting skills with a song and movement. Here’s some of my favorite counting songs to sing as a group:
In addition to setting the tone for the day, songs can also be used to reinforce classroom rules. This can be done by singing a song that reminds the students to listen and follow directions, or to show respect to their peers.
Incorporating songs into the morning meeting gives the children an opportunity to practice important skills and to express themselves creatively. When children sing, they are actively engaging their brains in learning, and this is beneficial for their overall development. Singing is a great way to bring children together in a positive way. It allows them to practice their social skills and to learn to work together as a team.
If you want to incorporate music, chants, and all the other parts of a Responsive Classroom™ Morning Meeting without the extra planning and prep time, then check out my monthly Responsive Classroom™ Morning Meeting Plans and Slides, which are all included in my year long bundle.
You can also sample a week of FREE Morning Meeting Slides for Kindergarten or First Grade
