Create or Borrow a Cheer for a New School Year!

Create or borrow a class cheer to pump up enthusiasm for the school year ahead.

Hi and welcome back to Attentionology for K – 5 Teachers!

New school terms often coincide with new seasons in sports.

Most kids enjoy sports.

Use students’ interest in “getting in the game” to help catch and keep their attention in class.

As the day gets underway, offer a bit of attention-getting humor…

Announce that you’d love to begin class with a game of _____________________ (name of a sport that’s in season and popular in your community), but “alas and alack” it’s time to get to work.

Make an immediate follow-up announcement that you do, however, have time for a cheer to start the day in a positive way.

Create or Borrow a Cheer for the New School Year! – Lead kids in a quick class cheer that you create or borrow ahead of time.

At a later time you can involve students in writing other class cheers. (Cheer writing is an effective way to teach poetic skills, including phrasing and rhyme.)

Tell kids that you want to keep the pep rallies going all year long.

A school starter cheer is a great way to pump up enthusiasm for the day ahead.

Creating or borrowing a cheer for a new school year encourages everyone to get involved in class activities, including lessons!

Upbeat cheers (are there any other kind?) may offer the extra benefit of engaging reluctant learners.

Likewise, students who show up at  your classroom door sad or angry may brighten up when they have the opportunity to shout out a cheer and chase away bad feelings.

Here’s a cheer for a new school year that I’ve written.

Use it if it suits your grade level and goals.

We can do it,

Yes we can,

Keep our focus

Just as planned.

Learn to grow

Work hard, have fun,

Be strong and kind,

The school year’s just begun!

What other cheers can you create or borrow to cheer on a new school year? (more…)