Morning Meetings

Elizabeth and I had the opportunity last week to do two morning meets together. Because it was Thanksgiving, we did a turkey hand greeting around the circle telling each other "Good Morning!" On Monday, our sharing was about what we did over the weekend. On Tuesday, our sharing changed to "What do you like to eat on Thanksgiving with your families?" For our activity both days, we did a Turkey Hokey Pokey song where the kids got to get up and dance and wiggle around before we started the day. My CT likes to keep the greetings and the activity the same only because for kindergarten, it is easier for them to keep a routine so they learn it by the end of the week. Usually the activity is a song so she likes to have that stay the same so the kids have a chance to learn it. At the beginning of the week they don't know it at all. By the end of the week , they will be dancing and singing along to whatever the song may be. I think morning meetings are a great way to start out the class because, especially for my class, the kids come in, eat breakfast, and then they don't know what to do with themselves. Morning meeting provides a structure in their mornings to tell them that its time to be serious and learn.