Anyone got some good chants?

Work Teaching English in Taiwan
1

Hello everyone,

I have been given a kindergarten class to teach this year at my school. It’s been over 6 years since I taught at this level (K2). Does anyone have any good chants or sayings that they get the children to say each day? For example, before story time? going to the playground? or just any things that might work well as a classroom management tool ?

Any help would be appreciated :slight_smile:

E

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I used to play Ripple by the Grateful Dead at the end of the day; the kids would hear it and start picking up their stuff and lining up at the door like pigeons.

Try music.

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I can completely relate to how you’re feeling! After a few years away from teaching the younger levels, stepping back into a K2 classroom can feel both exciting and a little overwhelming at the same time. The great news is that little ones thrive on routine, rhythm, and repetition, so chants and sayings will become your best friend.

Some simple ones I’ve used that worked really well:

  • Before story time: “Criss-cross, applesauce, hands in your lap – we’re ready for a story, just like that!”
  • Before lining up: “Hands by your side, quiet as a mouse, we’re lining up to leave the house!”
  • Transition to playground: “1, 2, 3 – eyes on me! / 1, 2 – eyes on you!”

These little routines not only make transitions smoother but also give the children comfort because they know what’s coming next.

Don’t worry if it feels rusty at first—it comes back quicker than you’d think, and the kids usually catch on faster than us adults! :blush: You’re definitely not alone in this, and the fact that you’re reaching out for ideas shows how thoughtful you are about giving your class the best experience.

By the way, I’ve been gathering and sharing more chants, songs, and classroom management tips that are really easy to adapt. If you’d like, I can point you toward a resource list where you can grab ready-made rhymes and chants to use right away—it’s saved me a lot of planning time.

You’ve got this—your students are lucky to have such a caring teacher leading them this year!

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