While looking on the internet last summer, I came across a daily routine that is becoming increasingly popular in classrooms around the globe. Called “The Morning Meeting”, teachers from elementary and high school classes around the world have been hosting little get-togethers in their classrooms at the beginning of each day. When I first read about this, I thought it was a fabulous idea but I was a little daunted by what it might entail. Some Morning Meetings focus on math skills. Others focus on reviewing concepts previously taught the day, week, month, or year before. There are many different models out there on the internet and tons of information to sift through… but I am here to show you what works best for me in my Grade 3 classroom.
I must admit that I was a little overwhelmed with the idea of starting the Morning Meeting routine. How was I going to plan and execute approximately 180 meetings that were thought provoking, fun, educational, rigorous, and did not take up too much of our precious class time? The answer to that question came to me one night – and it is ridiculously easy. The key to running a successful morning meeting (and 180 of them!!) is to KEEP IT SIMPLE!
Here is how a typical morning meeting runs in my classroom.
Our school day starts at 9:05 am. The first 10 minutes are dedicated to our “homeroom” period. In those first ten minutes, I greet my students, look at their agenda’s, take attendance, and check on homework. I also make sure that my VIP is taking care of our class calendar and is also taking the attendance folder to the office. Once homeroom period is over, I tell everyone to get ready for the morning meeting. This is the signal to have everyone gather around in a circle in the front of our classroom.
I began my Morning Meetings in September and dedicated the first month to having my students learn our Morning Meeting routine. I also made sure to use this month to empower my students and encourage them to be active Morning Meeting participants. I did this by developing my own set of daily Morning Meeting cards specifically for the beginning of the year.
Like I said up above, my intention for the first month of my Morning Meetings was to get the students feeling comfortable expressing themselves. The Morning Meetings started off with learning about each other and learning interpersonal skills that will help us navigate through different social situations. As some of these concepts are difficult for some students to comprehend, anchor charts are included with certain cards to help students understand and to step out of their own comfort zones.
I give 15 minutes for my daily Morning Meetings and I believe that it is enough time to complete the tasks that are on the cards. As time as progressed, I have noticed that my students are using more and more of the skills that were discussed in the Meetings – not only with me and their classmates, but also with their peers outside on the playground and other teachers who come in to work with the students.
One thing that I really enjoyed watching my students do is become active listeners! We have worked on eye contact (a big challenge for my students who are shy) while speaking and listening to others speak. Take a peek at how these students are actively listening to each other and using body language to portray understanding!
As I noticed how popular my September Morning Meetings were with my students, I decided to develop Morning Meetings for the rest of the school year. These Meetings have a wide variety of questions, activities, challenges, and silliness to that gets my class started off on the right foot each and every day! What teacher wouldn’t want to be laughing and smiling with their students right from the start of the day?
Here are the other versions of the Morning Meetings that I now have available.
If you would like to get all the past and future Morning Meeting packs, try out the growing bundle I have available in my store. The price goes up as each pack is added – so the sooner you get it the more you save!
Please grab your FREE copy of Morning Meetings for Substitutes! Keep the momentum of the Morning Meeting going in your class even when you can’t be there!
Do you do Morning Meetings in your classroom or have a product that would help someone out with his/ her Morning Meeting? Please feel free to link up below!
[inlinkz_linkup id=583488 mode=1]
Have a great day!
Tammy Roose says
MIss Monica,
I love your take on Morning Meeting! It is such a great opportunity to bond with one another and for teachers to see what moods children are starting off the day with. It’s also the perfect opportunity to change everyone’s mood and get the day started off just right for a productive, peaceful learning environment! My take on Morning Meeting for the uppergrades focuses more on developing students’ understanding of themes in literature that also help us learn life skills and values–kindness, compassion, belonging and acceptance, perseverance, conflict resolution, etc. I hope you have the chance to check out my blog series on Morning Meeting! Your blog is beautiful!
Tammy
tarheelstateteacher.com
MeLisa Gonzalez says
I could not get it to download for the morning meeting freebie.
I Heart Grade 3 says
Hi there!
Try this link!
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Morning-Meetings-For-Your-Substitute-2055345
Thanks!