Blog Series: What is Morning Meeting?

My district doesn't offer professional development, so we have to seek it out and pay for it ourselves.  While I'd love to attend lots of fancy workshops, it's just not in my budget.  One thing I do in lieu of attending workshops is make my own PD!  Each summer, I choose something to focus on...an area that I'd like to learn more about or improve in.  During this past summer, I decided to focus on Morning Meeting.  I used to do it many years ago, but it wasn't as structured as it should have been, and like anything else, as time went on, I did away with it.  However, in recent years, I've noticed that most of my students are not taught manners or citizenship at home and that it is my duty to teach those things to them.  Morning Meeting also helps build classroom community and teaches empathy, which is MUCH needed in today's world.  During my "self-taught PD" this summer, I read an outstanding book, The Morning Meeting Book by Roxann Kriete & Carol Davis.  I've linked it below for you.  If you're thinking of starting (or wanting to improve your current) Morning Meeting, this books is a MUST!  Such a quick read full of great information.

                                                             

                                                                   

I'm going to be doing a series of posts about Morning Meeting and its components.  Today's post is to explain the rationale behind Morning Meeting as well as its four components.

What is Morning Meeting?  Morning Meeting is a structured 20-30 minute gathering each morning.  Students and teacher interact with one another in a purposeful way.  It's a wonderful way to start the day!  It helps build a solid community in the classroom and sets kids up for social and academic success.  It meets a plethora of learning standards, particularly the "Speaking and Listening" ones.

The four components of Morning Meeting are:

1.  Greeting-During the greeting, students and teacher practice greeting one another.  This is a great way to teach and practice eye contact and hospitality.

2.  Share-This is where students share important information from their lives.  The share can be done whole group (particularly at the beginning of the year) or several students can sit in a "share chair" and share on a specific topic each day.  As time goes on, students can do a free share, where they share anything they'd like with the class.  The share is a great way to practice speaking in front of a group.  It also helps children learn how to respond appropriately and be empathetic towards others.  Questioning by others is also done during the share.

3.  Activity or Book-This is when you can either read a book or do a game or activity.  The activity is usually quick, but very exciting for kids!  It can be academic or just for fun.

4.  Morning Message-The teacher writes the class a message each day.  It gives the kids a snapshot of the day.  The students can interact by sharing the pen with the teacher.  This is a great time to review virtually any Phonics skills as well as spiral any other content area.

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for part 2: the greeting!

xo
Megan