When we began our school year back in August, building strong relationships with our students was something that was emphasized. I recalled my college days, semester after semester, professor after professor preaching how important our student relationships were to their success. With a fresh school year and rested mind, I decided to make my teacher/student relationships a top priority for the school year.
Our students come to school each day with their own troubles and struggles, some greater than others. Our morning meeting is done first thing in the morning, before we do anything else. It is a chance for students to share and feel safe. It is a place to celebrate their successes and support each other through struggles. It is a place where students share their happiness and their sadness. The students work on building relationships as well as their speaking and listening skills.
What are some of the benefits I’ve seen? The tone is set for respectful learning. It not only sets a good tone for my students, but for me too. Our classroom climate is one based on trust. My students show empathy towards one another, they show compassion towards one another. They treat each other like family. Most of all, they are able to feel supported by their peers and their teacher.
In order to successfully implement a morning meeting in your classroom, you should do a little bit of your own research. Find out the significance of adding this daily practice to your classroom environment to see if it will fit the needs of your students. You will also need to find a time that you will have your morning meeting each day. I recommend first thing in the morning, but that is up to you. (It can be a Classroom Meeting instead of Morning Meeting!) I found that having our morning meeting at the same time each day keeps it consistent for the students, and for me too. Lastly, understand that it will take some time to establish routines in your morning meetings. Right now my goal is to have one of my students lead the morning meeting each day instead of me….wish me luck!
Our students come to school each day with their own troubles and struggles, some greater than others. Our morning meeting is done first thing in the morning, before we do anything else. It is a chance for students to share and feel safe. It is a place to celebrate their successes and support each other through struggles. It is a place where students share their happiness and their sadness. The students work on building relationships as well as their speaking and listening skills.
What are some of the benefits I’ve seen? The tone is set for respectful learning. It not only sets a good tone for my students, but for me too. Our classroom climate is one based on trust. My students show empathy towards one another, they show compassion towards one another. They treat each other like family. Most of all, they are able to feel supported by their peers and their teacher.
In order to successfully implement a morning meeting in your classroom, you should do a little bit of your own research. Find out the significance of adding this daily practice to your classroom environment to see if it will fit the needs of your students. You will also need to find a time that you will have your morning meeting each day. I recommend first thing in the morning, but that is up to you. (It can be a Classroom Meeting instead of Morning Meeting!) I found that having our morning meeting at the same time each day keeps it consistent for the students, and for me too. Lastly, understand that it will take some time to establish routines in your morning meetings. Right now my goal is to have one of my students lead the morning meeting each day instead of me….wish me luck!
 |  |
RSS Feed
