“Mornin’ bro!” I hear behind me. I don’t have to turn to see who it is. Sam greets his classmates this way every morning as he walks through our classroom door. His voice is cheerful and friendly and his peers respond happily, as they nonchalantly say “morning bro!” back to him. He goes to his seat, unpacks and easily joins in with morning inquiry activities. Sam doesn’t use ‘bro’ at any other time of day, nor does he use the term towards a particular friend. I don’t know where he heard the phrase or if he started this routine prior to first grade. I just know that it is one of the most cheerful ways to start the day. And as we endure yet another 'atmospheric river' event this week, it is just the greeting we need to set the tone for our day!
