Overview
This lecture discusses the structure and importance of Morning Meeting in classrooms, highlighting its role in fostering a safe, respectful, and collaborative learning environment.
Importance of Emotional Safety in Learning
- Students need to feel safe and respected to be ready to learn and succeed academically.
- Establishing a clear structure in the classroom helps students feel at ease, regardless of how their morning began.
- The classroom community serves as a support system, encouraging students to open up over time.
Structure of Morning Meeting
- Morning Meeting has a consistent structure: greeting, sharing, calendar, and activity.
- The greeting changes daily and often includes a personal question to encourage sharing.
- Activities focus on teamwork, kindness, and supporting each other during challenges.
Community Building and Participation
- Morning Meeting activities and greetings allow students to be seen, heard, and make connections.
- Behavioral expectations are set for the whole class, reducing isolation for those working on social skills.
- Leadership activities and group challenges increase with student age, encouraging communication and problem-solving.
Skills Developed Through Morning Meeting
- Students practice public speaking and become comfortable sharing ideas.
- Respectful listening is emphasized, fostering accountability and mutual respect within the class and beyond.
- Activities create a safe space for risk-taking and learning from mistakes.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Morning Meeting — a daily classroom gathering for greetings, sharing, and collaborative activities.
- Improper Fraction — a fraction where the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator.
- Support System — a group that provides emotional and practical help.
- Calendar — time set aside to review the day’s agenda with students.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Be prepared to participate in Morning Meeting activities and share during the greeting.
- Reflect on how to support classmates and contribute to a positive classroom environment.