FREE Start the Day With a Smile Song: A fun, research-based way to start the day!

Start the Day With a Smile!
Is there a better way to start the day than smiling first thing every morning?  How about smiling and singing? This song will get your class smiling, singing, reading, and learning to say "good morning" in four different languages first thing each day. I hope you can use it every single morning when you teach.

Research on EduTunes: How smiling and singing will help your kids learn MORE!
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I hope you see that this song is fun and motivational, but will it help your students learn? YES! First, I'd like to share some research about my songs with you. Ayfer Kokabas published a paper called "Using songs in mathematics instruction: A pilot application." She found that children enjoyed learning more when they sang Edutunes math songs--and their achievement increased significantly. She concluded that decreased anxiety and increased positive attitudes contributed to the higher scores. While she did not study this song directly, you can see that a motivational morning song can help children to start the day with a positive mindset. 
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​Visible Learning: More research-based strategies on promoting learning
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Visible Learning: A Synthesis of Over 800 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement is the title of a book by John Hattie. It has been described as the most comprehensive analysis to date of studies on how children learn. Hattie analyzed over 800 meta-analyses, which together studied over 240 million students, and he then ordered 138 strategies in terms of learning effectiveness. Below are three of the most effective researched strategies--and how "Start the Day With a Smile" fits in.
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Visible Learning Strategy 1: "Teacher-student relationships"

According to John Hattie, establishing positive teacher-student relationships is the #11 most powerful "Visible Learning" strategy.

The FIRST thing I do each morning is stand at my door and say "Good morning" to my children in any language they choose. I teach them to look at me, choose a way to say "good morning," and wait for my response before entering class. They can choose from one of the four languages used in the song--or they may greet me in another language. In this way, we connect and foster a relationship as they enter the classroom. Next, we sing this song.

​My students took a poll about their thoughts on this routine. They overwhelmingly said this procedure made them happy to be in school. Try it--and ask your children what they think as your own mini-research project.

Visible Learning Strategy 2: "Classroom behavioral" 

Hattie uses the term "Classroom behavioral" to refer to studies indicating that classroom behavior is the #6 factor in influencing learning. How can this song affect classroom behavior? It helps to: 

• Establish a routine,
• Teach children to follow directions,
• Motivate children to pay attention, and
• Reduce discipline problems.

Note that it is possible for children to become WILD when singing, so it's important to establish routines to promote positive behaviors. I recommend brainstorming ideas with your class. Children may suggest sitting criss-cross applesauce or doing motions in a way that does not disturb other children. You may have different expectations depending on the song and your current focus.  

Visible Learning Strategy 3: "Repeated reading programs"

Repeated reading is the #16 most effective "Visible Learning" strategy for promoting student success. All of my songs can be used as part of your reading program. When I first started writing songs for kids, I wrote all words on large posters. Children would take turns using a pointer to point to words as we sang. Next, I started photocopying pages with words. Children would point to their own papers as they sang. Later, I made the videos. They are great for modeling reading to students. I also sometimes project words onto the whiteboard. I feel that all these strategies are complementary ways to promote reading--so I recommend using them all.

More!

Additional research indicates that songs promote learning. Songs help with relaxation and stress management. They also promote brain wave
activation and fostering creativity. They are a vehicle for both conscious and subconscious information transmission. In addition, you can see that this song promotes four of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences:

• Musical (all songs),
• Linguistic (when students speak, sing, and read),
• Bodily-kinesthetic (when kids use motions), and
• Interpersonal​ (when kids develop relationships through songs).

I truly hope my songs make a difference in your classroom. I'd love to hear your feedback! Please note: You can now try all my music videos FREE for 30 days, at HeidiSongs! Heidi and I have teamed up to give you nearly 1,000 videos that teach all subjects through music. You'll see my music sets throughout the site, with my entire catalog at the bottom.

Thanks,
"Miss Jenny"