I am back to talk all about morning meetings, again! They indeed are my favorite way to start the day. I look forward to this time spent with my students. If you haven’t read my previous post on morning meetings, be sure to check it out here. I took a deeper dive into how morning meetings are a game-changer in the classroom. Morning meetings set the tone for the day and put me in a good mood. We talked about the why of morning meetings. But, what are the components of a morning meeting?
Morning meetings are one of those things that look different for each classroom but overall the same idea with a similar goal. In my classroom, morning meetings typically last about 20-30 minutes depending on what skill we are covering and how long our share time goes. When I give my first graders time to share, I have to put a time limit on it because, let’s be honest, and they can go on allllllll day. Morning meetings help unite and bring a class together. They are nurturing for our classroom community.
How to Set it Up
Ideally, a morning meeting in my classroom is done in a circle because it enforces eye contact, and everyone can see one another. Of course, social distancing put a bit of a wrench in that, so I had to improvise, but I cannot wait to get back to my circle. Morning meeting has four core components: greeting, share, activity, and message. When planning my morning meeting, I always consider the content we are covering or use it to introduce new content. It is also a great time to consider any issues that may be going on in the classroom, as this is a crucial time in classroom community building. Morning meeting is routine, flexible, and gives everyone a chance to participate. I truly value this time where students can make connections and come together as a whole.
Greeting
I genuinely believe greeting your students and having them greet one another is crucial. Have you ever walked into a room, maybe even a meeting, and no one acknowledged you? It’s happened to me, and it makes me feel uncomfortable. Imagine how our little kiddos would feel if we didn’t say good morning to them every day. It is why I emphasize greeting each other, no matter if we are running behind or things are a little crazy. I love giving my students choices as well for how they want to do their greetings. Greetings can be tailored to your students, and you can keep it the same each day or change it up as frequently as you would like. The most critical aspect is ensuring greeting is a consistent part of your day. It takes up a bit of time, about 3-5 minutes, but for me, it’s non-negotiable. We are doing this every single day!
Sharing
It is the opportunity for my students to share. You can ask a question and allow everyone to share their answer. Sharing gives students a chance to learn more about each other and build up listening skills while stressing the importance of being respectful. During this time, I will also address any pressing classroom issues requiring discussions or solutions that we can come up with together as a class.
It is also a great time to focus on a social-emotional topic and ask questions or give a scenario where students can share their answers. When students are given the opportunity to share and participate in a Q/A, they strengthen their peer connections and build their relationships skills. Communication skills, cooperation, mutual respect, and self-awareness are just a few of the skills that we work on during share time.
At the beginning of the year, it’s imperative to talk about the expectations during share time, the importance of mutual respect and listening. Your students may even need some reminders throughout the year as well.
Here are a few examples of some questions you can use during share time.
- What is something you are looking forward to doing this week?
- What is something challenging you faced recently?
- If you could only watch one movie for a month, what would it be?
- What is one wish you have?
- If you could make one change to the classroom, what would it be?
- What makes a good friend?
Activity
Morning meeting is unique and different for every single teacher and their classroom. Some classrooms are heavily focused on SEL skills, while others incorporate academics into their morning meetings. And for me, I love doing calendar and using my SMARTboard. I also teach SEL during morning meeting using this resource. While this doesn’t work for everyone, the calendar is one thing I cannot do without, and my students always enjoy it. If you are like me and love using calendar and your SMARTboard, grab this resource. If you don’t have a SMARTBoard, check this one out. It’s also available as a growing bundle.
It can be quick, simple, and something to get your kids moving when it comes to the activity. I use team builders during activity time because they foster communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. My students beg me to do some of these activities throughout the day, which sometimes I can’t say no. That means they feel safe and encourage to take these academic, social, and emotional risks.
Here are a few examples of some of the activities we do:
- Students are given a ball, pass it around, and say a word to build a sentence continuously.
- Trace a word on their partner’s back and see if they can guess it.
- Everyone in class is given a spoon, and we go around passing a balloon.
- Play four corners as a group.
Morning Message
Morning message is a great way to start the day. You can write a funny joke, share a story, or simply give students some motivation. It’s a perfect way to share the date in a fun way like Magical Monday, Terrific Tuesday, or something creative! A morning message is also a great way to close your morning meeting because it is a plan for the day. It provides students with structure, routine, and predictability. It can include any changes or special events that might be occurring and a chance to tell your students what they will be doing. Routine is critical, no matter what age your students are. Structure gives students a sense of safety because they know what to expect. It builds trust within your classroom.
You can also include academics within your morning message. I know some teachers use this as an opportunity to review various concepts. But again, it might not work for your class, and you have to do what works the best for your students. I have found value in closing my morning message with positive self-talk. It builds my students up and encourages them to learn and do their best that day.
Students feel safe, and part of a community and want to do well when relationships with their classmates and teachers are strong. A sense of belonging is so important in the classroom, and it plays a significant role in your overall classroom management and environment. This past year not all students were back in the classroom, and human connection was ripped away from our students, so now more than ever, they need to connect with their peers. Although morning meeting looks different for each classroom, I truly believe it provides value and an abundance of benefits for every one of your students. What is one thing you love about morning meetings? Let me know in the comments below.
