Starting the School Day Right

Greeting my students at the door is important to me as we start our day together.

It's not really a policy, or maybe not a procedure, per say, but it sets the tone of our day from the first moments.

I first greet my students in their line by the playground and then we walk to the classroom together.

They pick up their backpacks and we stop at our door.

Next comes my favorite part. I stand by the open door and greet each one individually.

I tell them I want to see their sparkly eyes and bright morning smile.  This means when we say good morning to each other, there is eye contact.  This doesn't always come naturally for some, but they come around after a week or two. By the end of the first week we are all loving this way to start our day.

Usually I get a hug to go with it!

This few moments also allows me to see how each one of my students is starting their day. Maybe someone is coming to school upset, or something just happened on the playground, or there is something else going on. I usually can detect it in those first few moments.

Now that I'm writing this, I'm longing for this time again.

In an earlier post I sited an article I found saying we need 8 (or more ) hugs a day.  I am looking forward to my 30+ hugs....very soon!