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Building community with a daily meeting is an integral component of a happy and healthy classroom. It’s the time of day when everyone can sit together and learn about each other, and learn from each other.
What is a class meeting?
A class meeting (also called a morning meeting or community circle) is a fun and engaging way to start the day and set students up for success.
Students meet in a spot in the classroom for 10-20 minutes and interact with one another using the following components:
- Greet Time – The students and teacher greet each other by name in a variety of ways.
- Share Time – Students share events happening in their lives and are asked questions or comments by their peers and the teacher.
- Activity Time – Everyone participates in a short and fun team-building activity
- Teacher Message – Students read or listen to a short message or series of announcements by the teacher.
What are some low-prep class meeting ideas?
1. Use a Slideshow
You can create a Powerpoint slideshow with fun activities for your greetings, activities, and message, such as a funny face greeting or virtual high five greeting.
These Class Meeting Slides by Teaching Little Leaders is an excellent slideshow resource with plenty of activities for the whole year!
2. Question of the Day
My personal favorite thing to do is to ask a “Question of the Day”. I like to make it about an interesting topic, such as “If you could only eat 1 food item for a year, what would it be?” It sparks a lot of dialogue and funny answers!
If you are not the best at coming up with various questions to ask, I recommend Morning Meeting Discussion Cards by Hello Fifth.
3. Spread Out
Normally, my class meetings are conducted with students in a circle on the carpet. However, that may not be possible for a variety of reasons, such as multiple illnesses or classroom size.
Students who are learning in the classroom can still be in a circle – it will have to be a lot larger! Have students stand in a circle around the entire room. Don’t attempt this if students are not able to stand 6 feet apart!
4. Host a Scavenger Hunt
Conduct a scavenger hunt! Students have 1 minute to find an item (such as something round, something red) from around the room or in their desk. Students hold up their item and share/discuss the item they chose.
5. Host a Kahoot! Game
This was a student favorite! I hosted Kahoot! Games twice a week and students always looked forward to the quizzes. Students either use another device (such as a phone or tablet) or create a new window on their device.
The teacher shares the screen and the sound with the class and moderates. Kahoot! is super user-friendly! I created a free account and found quizzes through their search tool. There are hundreds of quizzes that are available for any topic.
Have students suggest topics or you can select the topics, but be sure to preview the quizzes in advance. It can be easily be used in the classroom or virtually.
6. Student of the Week
Spotlight a student each week. Rotate through your class and designate a student to be the Star of the Week or Student of the Week.
On their special day, students select a song to be played as students enter the meeting or the classroom. Students go around and share why the student is special and what they like about them.
Letters from 4th Grade‘s Star Student Compliment Book is a wonderful resource to implement with your students.
Using morning meeting every day can be a vital tool in building social emotional learning skills and, though only a short time each day, can make a lasting impact in how students interact with others.
For more tips on class meetings, parent communication, and more, enroll in the FREE Classroom Community Podcast Series!
kirsten hammond
Kirsten is a former 3rd and 5th grade teacher who loves helping upper elementary teachers by creating resources and sharing ideas that are engaging, research-based, and TEKS-aligned. She is a work-from-home mama of 3 rambunctious little ones and loves running, true crime, and lots of coffee.