Professional Development and Community School Leaders and Administration Whole School
The beginning of the school year can be exciting and intimidating for students. Some students are eager to dive in to academics and group activities. Others may feel apprehensive about participating in discussions and engaging with classmates. By providing structure and predictability, Morning Meeting helps students and teachers ease into a routine together. Morning Meeting also sets a positive tone for the day and school year, creates opportunities for students practice social skills, and helps build a positive class community of respect and warmth. At the beginning of the year, the greeting component of Morning Meeting in particular can provide a perfect opportunity for students to learn each other’s names and get to know one another.
Choosing simple, risk-free greetings that provide opportunities for students to share about themselves will help students make connections and feel like part of the class. A Little-Known Fact About Me is a great greeting for the beginning of the school year. It gives students a chance to introduce themselves and share a little-known personal fact, encouraging them to make connections and find common interests from the get-go. Students who feel a sense of belonging are more apt to engage in their learning and persevere through challenging tasks. You can adapt this greeting to include academic curriculum by having students name a fact about a book character, a unit of study, or subject of an essay they’re writing. Download A Little-Know Fact About Me Morning Meeting greeting here.
This Morning Meeting greeting can be found in 80 Morning Meeting Ideas for Grades 3–6. Get eighty new ideas for Morning Meeting greetings, sharings, group activities, and morning messages to use in your classroom today!