Greetings for Morning Meeting
Here We Are Together (to the tune of “Did You Ever See a Lassie’)
This is a good one for the beginning of the year when children may be shy. Adults carry the load until children
begin participating.
Here we are together, together, together
Oh, here we are together in Ms. Janine’s class.
Here’s Michael, and Branson, and Isobel, and Pedro and . . .
A teacher can go around the circle from behind and put hand over the child’s head as singing.
Next, teach children to raise hand and/ or smile as their name is sung. Sing slow enough for others to
visually track around the circle.
Oh, here we are together, in Ms. Maria’s class.
Another Version:
(Use other adult’s name.)
This is good for when you need to cut time to use for another part of Morning Meeting, but after the
children know each other’s names – name learning is a priority.
The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together, that happier we’ll be.
At the second verse children turn and point to each other and to those across the circle – remind about
friendly smiles!
Because your friends are my friends and my friends are your friends,
The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.
It’s a Great Day (to the tune of “Farmer in the Dell”)
At first an adult stands behind the circle to focus attention one-by-one on each child around the circle and to
whisper a reminder to respond.
Shyrelle is here, Shyrelle is here,
It’s a great day because Shyrelle is here.
Children clap in rhythm. Named child smiles
or waves to group.
Here I Am! (to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
Children stand in a circle. Adults sing first question, all children sing second question, and named child sings
response. Adult holds large name card for children to see. Group sings last two lines.
Where is __________?
Where is ___________?
Here I am! Here I am!
We’re so glad to see you, we’re so glad to see you.
Please sit down. Please sit down.
Please Say Your Name This is a chant.
Let’s go round in a cir-cle, Let’s go round in a game.
When we get to you, please say your name.
Once this is secure, add a step: The group replies in a speaking voice: “Hi, ______,” and the named
child would say “hi” back.
1
‘Round and Around This is a variation of the one above. Clap to the beat.
‘Round and around and around’s the game.
Around and around and what’s YOUR name? (or: when we get to YOU, tell us your name.)
Friends
Sing this slowly; concentrate on number and movements, which cross the midline.
Friends, friends, one, two, three
Put up one finger at a time until 3 is reached, slowly as numbers said.
All my friends are here with me.
Cross arms held out and then spread them wide slowly, then bring up
crossed onto chest.
You’re my friend,
Everyone points to someone.
You’re my friend,
Then another,
You’re my friend,
and another,
You’re my friend.
and another.
Friends, friends, one, two, three
All my friends are here with me.
As in line1.
As in line 2.
Photo Greeting 1
Use photo cards with names include adults. Distribute 8 to other 7 children and 1 adult if everyone is present.
Sing the song. As singing, children with cards find their new friend.
At first, adults help by naming names. Step one is to smile at your new friend. Later on, children can say, “I’m
glad you’re here, ____.” This is a good time to use the math word, “pair”: “This pair of children is Tanisha and
Peter.”
Photo Greeting 2
Photos of each child are glued to a card, to the right of the child’s name. An adult holds the cards faces
towards her/himself, like a deck of cards. Children in turn pick a card from the fan, and greet the child
whose card they picked. They place the card on the floor in front of the child they picked. Greetings can be a
hello, a high-five, a wave, or later for Fours, the formal traditional “How are you today? Fine, thank you, how
are you?”
Note that anticipation holds interest. Visual scanning and reasoning skills develop by seeing how many and who
are left to greet. Encourage and support this.
Hello, Hello
Form two circles, and inner one and an outer one, with one adult in each circle. The inner circle faces out and
remains still, while the outer one moves around. Teach formation, spacing and movement during Music &
Movement time BEFORE attempting to add the greeting at Morning Meeting.
The outer circle moves around circle, greeting each person of the inner circle. Sing the song once per pair, as
children shake hands gently.
Hello, hello, hello, and how are you?
I’m fine, I’m fine, and I hope that you are, too.
What’s Your Name?
First child: Hello, MY name is Sean. What’s YOUR name?
Next child: Hi, Sean. My name is Tanya.
First child: Hello, Tanya. Can shake hands if they want, or not.
2
Jump In, Jump Out
Treat this chant as a “Call and Response” – encourage listening and good timing.
Group:
Group:
Group:
Group:
Jump in!
Jump out!
Turn yourself about!
We want to know your name,
So please call it out!
First student jumps into the circle.
Then jumps backward to same spot in the circle.
Then spins once in place, ending facing in.
Student: _____________
Group: Good Morning, ________!
3