- toy instruments
- music
- musical instrument
- pluck
- scrape
- tap
MA Standards:
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).
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.
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.
Greeting Song: “We’re Happy You Are Here” #3
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
ELA Focus Skills: Phonological Awareness (Rhythm and Repetition)
Have children sit together in a circle. Display a set of musical instruments in the middle of the circle and have each child choose one.
Tell children that when they hear their name, they are to drum, tap, scrape, or pluck their instruments.
- Say, We are all going to sing “We’re Happy You Are Here” together. When you hear your name, make a sound on your instrument.
- At the very end of the song tell children you want them all to join in and make music. Say, When we sing the very last line, “We’re happy you are here,” I want everyone to drum, tap, scrape, or pluck your instruments just like we were all part of a band like Violet’s.
- Demonstrate for children before singing the song with them.
We’re Happy You Are Here
(sung to the tune of “Goodnight, Ladies”)
Hello, <child’s name>.
Hello, <second child’s name>.
Hello, <third child’s name>.
We’re happy you are here.
Final verse
Hello, everyone.
Hello, everyone.
Hello, everyone.
We’re happy you are here.