MA Standards:
English Language Arts/Speaking and Listening/SL.PK.MA.1a: Observe and use appropriate ways of interacting in a group (e.g. taking turns in talking, listening to peers, waiting to speak until another person is finished talking, asking questions and waiting for an answer, gaining the floor in appropriate ways).
English Language Arts/Foundational Skills/RF.PK.MA.2: With guidance and support, demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
Head Start Outcomes:
Social Emotional Development/Self-Regulation: Follows simple rules, routines, and directions.
Language Development/Receptive Language: Attends to language during conversations, songs, stories, or other learning experiences.
Literacy Knowledge/Phonological Awareness: Identifies and discriminates between separate syllables in words.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
English Language Arts/Language 1: Observe and use appropriate ways of interacting in a group (taking turns in talking; listening to peers; waiting until someone is finished; asking questions and waiting for an answer; gaining the floor in appropriate ways).
English Language Arts/Reading and Literature 12: Listen to, recite, sing, and dramatize a variety of age-appropriate literature.
English Language Arts/Reading and Literature 8: Listen to, identify, and manipulate language sounds to develop auditory discrimination and phonemic awareness.
Greeting Song: “If Your Name . . .” #4
![](/static//img/act_images/3-5Edu_Activities_Greeting_Song_4708.jpg)
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
ELA Focus Skills: Active Listening, Phonological Awareness (Segmenting)
Sing “If Your Name . . .” in reverse order, beginning with the names with the most syllables and working down to the names with the fewest syllables. Choose the name of a child with the most number of syllables and use his or her name as a demonstration. For example, say, “Evangelina has a name with many parts. Let’s clap out each part and see how many. E-van-ge-li-na." Determine the name has five parts.
Signal any children who have that many syllables in their names to stand up. Say each name aloud as you clap the syllables. Have children clap along with you. Continue the process until all children in the room are standing.
If Your Name . . .
(sung to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If your name has <highest number of syllables> word parts, please stand up.
If your name has <highest number of syllables> word parts, please stand up.
If your name has <highest number of syllables> word parts,
And you really want to show it,
If your name has <highest number of syllables> word parts, please stand up.
Add verses for names with fewer word parts as needed.
Social Emotional Tip: Help children adapt to changes in routines and new situations by changing the order of doing routine things.
Adaptation: If very young children have trouble clapping syllables, have them slap their thigh instead.