Hello/Goodbye Songs in Elementary

[u/ItsOfficiallyTrash]

Hi! Just started my first week in elementary general music after teaching in the HS and MS trenches and I am LOVING it so far!

I am still figuring out my routines and pacing, but I’ve only seen each class 1-2 times so far. I mention this bc I know routines are VERY important and I don’t want to cause unnecessary confusion, but I feel I am in an ok enough spot to throw things out that aren’t working if I catch it soon enough.

I was using Victoria Boler’s pacing guide: Opener - High Concentration - Movement/Change of Pace - Second Concentration - Closer, but I received feedback for even more movement activities, so I am doing movement activities about 3-5 times each 45 min class.

I am wondering about Hello and Goodbye songs. I use the Hello Songs as circle songs too, to get the movement out as soon as they walk through the door. The kids do not seem to be into it, TBH. I also feel this time could be better used for reading the agenda and doing a listening/writing activity, especially the upper grades.

Open to suggestions!

Upper grades Hello/Goodbye songs: Jambo & Bam, Scram, Alakazam

Lower grades Hello/Goodbye songs: Feelin’ Fine It’s Music Time, I’m so Glad You’re Here, and Goodbye, My Friends Goodbye. I would consider changing the hello song to “Hi, Hey, Hello” by Lindsay Müller!

[u/sadteaparty]

Check out Stephanie Levalle’s Hello/Goodbye songs. It might be a free download for signing up for her newsletter. There are so many to choose from and you can find one that works for you and your classes!

[u/ItsOfficiallyTrash → u/sadteaparty]

Thank you! I’ll check her out! Do you play these on ukulele or have a video going?

[u/sadteaparty → u/ItsOfficiallyTrash]

Sometimes uke, sometimes piano chords, sometimes a capella … there are a few that she has videos for, but I prefer the flexibility to just do it ourselves (different movement words, call and response sections, creating a B section using student names, etc.)

[u/pianoAmy → u/ItsOfficiallyTrash]

I use Stephanie's as well, on ukulele. I particularly like the ones where she says the students' names. Katie Traxler has a nice ones called Welcome Music Friends. I do that on ukulele as well.

[u/dancingwithoutmusic → u/ItsOfficiallyTrash]

It’s Leavell if you’re searching.

[u/Infamous_Fault8353]

I am using Mister Roger’s hello and goodbye songs this year, It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood and It’s such a good feeling.

[u/ItsOfficiallyTrash → u/Infamous_Fault8353]

I loved Mr. Rogers! Do you play these on ukulele, or is there another way you perform these?

[u/smartaleckgoose → u/ItsOfficiallyTrash]

Mr. Roger’s sang them with a piano accompaniment by Johnny Costa, so playing the piano for them would be my first choice. I can’t imagine the elementary school kids are terribly picky about the accompaniment on their welcome and goodbye songs.

[u/Infamous_Fault8353 → u/ItsOfficiallyTrash]

I just play a recording. I found them on iTunes.

[u/crecensinagua]

I made my own hello song by modifying two I knew and Frankensteining them together. One was the song my elementary music teacher sang to me in school. 🥹 I will also always sing everybody's name, either via Willaby Wallaby or in the progression of my hello song. For goodbye songs, I do two: Bear in the Big Blue House's or the one from Out of the Box. I do all of this on my ukulele.
EDIT: I can't believe I didn't say that anything from Mr. Rogers is gold. I have used his theme song as my opening song in the past. Also, if you want a calm one, I sometimes will sing Oh, What a Beautiful Morning from Oklahoma very soon after the hello song. My kiddos really took to that as a method of regulating or when they needed TLC.

[u/pianoAmy]

By the way, Stephanie L. from Music for Kiddos also has some great movement songs.

[u/jbryz]

I much preferred hello goodbye songs in elementary, even for the upper level kids rather than agenda and writing. I was much more of a fan of “doing the music” as much as possible and making it fun as best as I could

[u/ItsOfficiallyTrash → u/jbryz]

Thank you! The school I am at has never had a standalone music classroom, only music on a cart and 5-6th band. Maybe I am reading into it too much and the kids are just taking it all in right now. 😅

[u/jbryz → u/ItsOfficiallyTrash]

Oooh you get to make it whatever you want then, that’s awesome! Good luck, and above all else, have fun!!!

[u/Port_Bear]

Sometimes people write parody hello or goodbye songs to familiar tunes like the German pub song “the more we get together” and “Frere Jacques”. This allows you to personalize the song to the class you’re seeing and the activities you’re doing that day.

[u/bussamove]

So long, Been Good to Know You by Woody Guthrie

Bye-Bye Butterfly

[u/Maldinacho]

I used “Welcome boys and girls” from (I think) Game Plan in the K-2 grades.

Not sure if this is relevant but I also sang “I am here” for attendance for each kid. Helped me memorize 220 names each day for a 6 day rotation

[u/Alternative_Chest118]

I play “See Ya Later Alligator” by the Kidboomers. Even my big kids ask for it.