Dear Parents,
Many days each week I try to
incorporate a "morning meeting" into our morning classroom routine. Morning
meeting is a great way to build community, set a positive tone, increase
excitement about learning, and improve academic and social skills.
Morning Meeting usually takes
between ten and twenty minutes. First thing each morning, the children and I
gather in a circle. We begin by greeting each other. Every day, your child
hears his or her name spoken by a classmate in a friendly and cheerful manner.
Next, a few students share some
interesting news followed by a conversation with the class. This helps
students listen carefully, think about what they hear, formulate good
questions, and learn about each other. When your child shares, s/he'll have a
chance to feel that his/her ideas are valued and that the other children care.
After sharing, there is an
activity for the whole class. We might sign or recite a poem or play a math
game. The activity time helps the class feel united as a group, reinforces
academic skills, and helps the children learn how to cooperate and solve
problems.
Finally, we read the news and
announcements chart, which helps students think about the day ahead.
Sometimes we'll have an "agenda"
where students can sign up to discuss problems they might be having or
anything that they might need advice on. In this instance, they'll explain the
problem to the class and the students will give them advice on how to solve
the issue.
Morning Meeting lets children know
every day that school is a safe place where everyone's feelings and ideas are
important.
Sites where ideas are borrowed
from:
Origins
Ultimate
Camp Resource
Mrs. Gold's Classroom Website,
thank you for the Morning Meeting description!