Morning Meetings

In my differentiation class, we spent the entire first day talking about the importance of morning meetings. I have also had the opportunity to see a morning meeting done in a 6th grade classroom, and in a 2nd grade classroom, and let me tell you, they work wonders for the class! Let me break it down for you, and let me show you how it should be done. 

Greeting

Sharing

Group Activity

News and Announcements

Greeting: The teacher and students greet each other each day. They will greet each other by name. I have even see teachers use the 3 H's (Hugs, Handshakes, or High Fives).

Sharing: Children will share important events that are happening in their lives. You will begin to notice that the class will become very excited for the student, or very empathetic towards the person.

Group Activity: In this area you will do a group activity that can incorporate language arts, science, math or even social studies. This can be a good way to begin your lesson. You can even play a game if you wanted too. It is a great bonding time for the children. 

News and Announcements: This is where you will want students to read a little message that is written by the teacher. Normally it will help guide them to know what they need to do. 

Morning meetings will really create a wonderful environment and community inside of the classroom. It allows time for bonding between students and students, and teacher and students. They don't have to take very long either. I have seen what they can do, and can tell you that the classroom is a million times better. 

IDEAS

Match Card Greeting

1. Give each student a card on which you've written part of an equation. For example, one student gets a card that says "50 – 35"; another student gets one that says "= 15."
2. Students move around trying to find the match for their card.
3. When students find their match, they greet each other. A simple "Hello" or "Good morning" is fine.
4. Students sit with their matching partner in the order of an equation, visible to the rest of the circle. For example, the student with the "50 – 35" card sits to the right of the student with the "= 15 card."
5. Going around the circle, students announce their equation while holding up their cards so all can see.

Doing the Wave

1. Students stand with one arm extended toward the classmate on either side of them and with palms touching (or palms facing but not touching).
2. Turn to the student on your left and say, "Good morning, Sara." Sara greets you back. You both then raise your arms in a wavelike motion.
3. Sara turns to the student on her left and they greet each other in the same way, with the same motions.
4. Continue in this way so that the wave makes its way around the circle.

(Courtesy of Responsive Classroom)

Group Activity Idea: Encore!

Encore! 

Students team up to connect vocabulary words with favorite songs.          

How to do this group activity:

1. Place students into small groups of four or five.
2. Call out a word or topic related to a unit of study (for example, a weather or science term, historical event or person, number or math term, or adjectives and adverbs).
3. Give groups a few minutes to brainstorm songs they know that contain that word or connect to the topic.
4. Have each group sing or chant a line or verse from one or two songs from their brainstorming.

Tips for Success:
♦ Before starting, ask students, "What will it look and sound like to work together in your group?" Model these behaviors (taking turns listening and talking, accepting others' ideas, and so on).

♦ Reinforce positive behaviors. For example: "I noticed everyone in the group sharing ideas and listening to their classmates. That made it fun for everyone!"

Skills: cooperation, vocabulary, recall

Variations:
♦ List all the songs the class came up with. Then choose a few favorites to sing later.

♦ After groups sing a line or verse, see if the other students can "Name That Tune!"

(Courtesy of 80 Morning Meeting Ideas for Grades 3-6 by Carol Davis)

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