Morning meetings with students are a great way to start the day. They engage students and build community. They also give students 10 to 30 minutes to socialize and interact with each other through a variety of subjects. The time depends on how long the discussions last. Most morning meetings start with greeting one another, sharing information from students, an activity that targets social time, and a message or goal for the day.
The Why and The How to Morning Meetings
Meeting with students before class begins sets a tone for respect. They give students a sense of belonging. Meetings allow for modeling and practicing social-emotional skills. They provide time to practice and review prior content, setting a path for the day’s learning. Encourage students to talk one at a time by using a ‘talking stick’. This ensures each student gets a chance to speak.
Set the stage by presenting the idea to students. Let them know the goals and the importance of meetings. Parents should also understand how to support topics at home.
Summer Planning
Summer gives educators a chance to decompress and process the school year. Most teachers use the summer time to plan, improve, or find new activities and lessons. Morning meetings are a beneficial addition to the day.
- Begin the day with a welcoming, positive atmosphere. This creates a safe climate. Arrange seats so students can see each other, or have them sit in a circle on the floor.
- The use of age-appropriate prompts engages students.
- It’s important to model active listening. Make eye contact with the speaker, nod, and show an interest in what is being said.
- Reflection is part of the learning process. It allows students to make sense of what they learned. It allows them to make connections to prior learning.
Morning meetings build classroom cohesion. It provides students with a relaxed beginning of the day. Students have time to get to know and understand each other’s interests. All students are encouraged to participate in discussions.
Morning Meetings help teachers and students bond. It gives teachers tools to support students’ academic and social-emotional development. It gives students a chance to discuss classroom problems or issues that arise during unstructured times. Meetings reveal concerns that need to be addressed.
Morning meetings are important. They teach kindness and compassion. They help with goal setting. They deal with conflict. It is a time for sharing. Finally, they help students feel they belong.
