I love my job. I love my colleagues as well as the challenge of working with such a diverse grade range (K-8). I know I’m not supposed to have favorites, but I really love working with our Kindergarten teachers. They are enthusiastic, have embraced the reading and writing units of study, and are incredibly creative. And, because I moved into a new room over the summer, I see them and their amazing students every day. Some mornings I stand by my door just to say hello.
Last Friday, I received this email from Ms. M.:
Of course I went down to see them as soon as I had a minute. I found the K2 writers hard at work on their persuasive pieces. One student had turned hers into a song. During music that morning, the music teacher set her words to a simple tune, and they recorded a video of them singing “No Yelling!”
Unfortunately, I don’t have permission to share the video so you can hear them, but here are the lyrics:
No Yelling!
by M.
No, no yelling!
No, no yelling!
Be…because
you,
you,
you,
can disturb,
can disturb
other people.
Yes, it’s true!
Don’t you love her use of repetition to make her point?
Take it from me. If you’re having a bad day or just need a smile, head to the nearest Kindergarten classroom. You’ll feel better the minute you walk in the door. Just remember, no yelling!
Thank you to Stacey, Betsy, Beth, Kathleen, Deb, Melanie, Lisa and Lanny for creating this community and providing this space for teachers and others to share their stories every day in March and on Tuesdays throughout the year. Be sure to visit Two Writing Teachers to read more Slice of Life posts.
Reading to the Core 
You cannot have a bad day when surrounded by kindergarteners! Thank you for sharing!
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Sign me up….. I need some Kindergarten love
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So cute!! What great advice too!! I teach 5th grade but when I need a “break” I love walking into the younger grades! K and 1st graders are just so happy, innocent and honest and they’re excitment and wonder just make me smile!!
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I do miss working in the K-2 wing. I love the feedback this writer got about the value of her writing! Great slice!
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Love her song “No Yelling”! So precious and creative to put her writing to a song! Got to love Kindergarteners!
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This is adorable. A few years ago, a K teacher asked me to watch a small group of her students who were car riders. I would wait with them while she loaded her others onto buses. What a joy to spend time with them. I read them stories, let them play with clay, and just enjoyed their presence. Your post reminded me of these kids.
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From the mouths of babes! I so wish we could have heard the singing, but the message and repetition definitely hit their mark!
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How great that your music teacher got involved! Talk about a whole writing community. I adore my kindergarten neighbors as well.
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Loved her creative song to get across her point! Kindergarten is the best!
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So cute! And how awesome that she could write a song as a persuasive piece!
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Your post reminds me of the creativity of our youngest writers! Awe-inspiring!
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Welcome to my world. I wouldn’t trade teaching Kindergarten for anything (except for when I was pushed up into 1st grade for one year!) and I am so glad you are reveling in the joy.
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Kindergarteners say the greatest things, and they are so very serious about the rules. I love this post. My first grade son likes to give me advice for my students (high schoolers). My favorites are “Don’t do anything really bad, like kill people.” and “Pay attention when my mom is talking.”
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Oh, I love the song, I love the repetition, and I LOVE that they shared it with you. How awesome that they knew you’d appreciate it so much.
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Your title grabbed me!! I love that K opinion unit — it is the best!!! I completely agree about K – today I met up with a class in the hall and they were so excited I had to follow them back to their classroom so we could talk. They are so genuine, joyous and engaging. Thank you for sharing the song — I think we all need to be reminded of those words.
Clare
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Why it’s a joy to be with the granddaughters, 5 & 7. You’re lucky to get to be with them so often. And the song is wonderful, must be super fun to hear it. Thanks, Catherine!
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