One day, when the morning bell rang, the first student to arrive ran into our room and looked around frantically like he’d lost his puppy. When Kevin spotted me, he exclaimed, “Oh good! Mrs. Foxwell, you ARE here! I thought we had a substitute when I didn’t see you at the door!” He then went to the door and announced to the other students as they arrived, “It’s okay. Mrs. Foxwell IS here. She’s just over at her desk with the tech guy because her computer isn’t working.” This is why classroom greetings are so important.
I had this tradition in my classroom that I would greet my students by name at the door every morning with a handshake, high five, or hug (because first graders are big huggers.) I also ended the day at the door again, sending them off by name as they headed home. I started this on the very first day of school and continued it until the last day because I wanted my students to know that I saw them, that I cared, and that I was SO excited that they were in my class!
Unfortunately, on the morning that Kevin rushed in, I couldn’t be at my door when the morning bell rang because a tech guy needed me at my computer with him to get it fixed so that I could use it for the day. My students’ reaction to the change in our routine reminded me of the importance of building classroom community and keeping relationships central to all that we do in the classroom. As teachers, students are our WHY: they are the reason why we teach! From when my students stepped into my classroom to when they left to go home, I wanted them to know they were valued and loved.
Starting and ending the school day by individually greeting your students by name is a simple yet effective way to set the tone for your classroom and day!
4 Classroom Greetings Tips For Teachers
Here are some classroom greetings tips to get started:
#1: Make It a Priority
Make it a priority to be at the door to greet students at the beginning and end of each day. Things like computers not working and tech guys arriving right before the bell rings will happen, and we all know that flexibility is key in teaching. However, when your students see you consistently greet them, it makes a big difference. So much so that on the days you can’t be at the door, they will notice immediately.
#2: Greet with a Smile
Greet each student by name with a smile. Let your words and actions show them that you care! Names are important, so don’t just say “Good morning!” but personalize it with your student’s name. Much like classroom cheers, a smile can make a student’s day.
#3 Model for Students
Simple things like looking someone in the eye, giving a good handshake, and properly greeting a person are important life skills that we need to teach and model for our students. I truly believe that our job as teachers isn’t just to teach academics, but to teach students skills that will help them be successful beyond the classroom! Take some time to discuss these and set expectations for how every day will start and end.
#4: Know your students
It’s important to get to know our students and build positive relationships beyond their academics. Did your student have a soccer game last night? Ask them how it went! Did they walk in looking upset when they usually have a big smile on their face? Be sure to talk to them and see how they are doing (if not at the door, then soon after. I often would pull a student quietly aside to my desk to check in with them if something felt off.) Relationships are key to the success of our classrooms!
Classroom greetings: the simple act of welcoming students into the classroom at the start of the day has the power to transform the entire learning experience. From creating a sense of belonging to setting a positive tone for learning, these greetings are important when it comes to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. Teachers can make these moments meaningful by embracing different greeting options and adapting them to suit everyone’s needs.
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