1. Morning Meeting Why we need it and how to implement it into your classroom curriculum

2. Why? 1. Builds community, and fosters a positive/safe classroom environment 2. Nurtures positive teacher-student interactions 3. Serves as a buffer for students between home life and school life 4. Teaches basic social skills 5. Sets a positive tone for the day

3. Morning Meeting Rules -Establish morning meeting rules before your first morning meeting -Students can help generate a list of rules that can be written on a poster/chart paper -Rules should be discussed, modeled and practiced multiple times

4. Sample Rules 1. Sit criss cross and knee to knee 2. Look at the speaker 3. Make eye contact 4. Silent unless you are the speaker 5. Participate

5. Basic Elements of a Morning Meeting 1. Greeting 2. Message/ Announcements 3. Share 4. Activity

6. Greeting -Take turns greeting each other with a handshake and a prompt of “Good morning, _______” -Remember to be accommodating to cultural sensitivities such as handshaking and eye contact -Songs and Chants: “Say your name” chant -Games: pick a number greeting, spider web

7. Message/Announcements -Keep it short and simple -Add announcements, academics, current events -Read it together, read it to your students, or choose a volunteer to read. Example: Good Morning First Grade, Today is September 12, 2012. Today we have gym. We will learn about spiders. Help me circle the punctuation in this message! Have a great day! Love, Mrs. O

8. Share -Teaches students to take turns, listen to a speaker, and work on public speaking skills -Daily, weekly, monthly sharing by students -Students share information about important events in their lives. Listeners offer empathetic comments or ask clarifying questions.

9. Game or Activity -A brief activity that fosters community building -This is a great way to incorporate character education -for example, reciting a poem, dancing, singing, or playing a game that reinforces social or academic skills