I love a good story, specifically historical fiction. If I could be locked in any building it However, at the beginning of the year, my morning meetings more greatly resemble Survivor.

• “Friend, please don’t roll on top of your neighbor.”
• “No, this isn’t the time for you to do a cartwheel.”
• “PLEASE don’t pick your nose and wipe it on the wall!”
• “Is there a reason you’re blowing into each other’s mouths?”
• “As much as we would LOVE to see you skateboard, that’s not what we’re doing right now… nor do you have a skateboard at school.”
• “Please stop interrupting your friend, it’s important to listen while others are speaking.”

All of the above scenarios have happened… and have made me wonder if the morning meeting is worth it. Wouldn’t it just be easier to simply “get on with our day?!”

Classroom Meetings, Morning Meetings, ARE a critical part of every classroom. When children are given the opportunity to listen, respond, and dialogue, it deepens the relationships within the class. With increased relationships, trust, and respect among peers, it decreases conflict, bullying, and resentment among peers. Yet, it is important to know HOW to facilitate your classroom meetings for the expected results.

Facilitating vs. Teaching

Developing the Facilitator Role

“Facilitate.”

There is something terrifying about not having complete control over the direction of the lesson in an elementary classroom. We as educators understand the importance of having a well-planned lesson. A lesson with differentiated worksheets, visuals, movement breaks, scaffolded questions, critical thinking questions… well, you know what I mean. Lesson planning takes a great deal of time and thought, in contrast to the unpredictable nature of a facilitated conversation. In a facilitated conversation, the educator seeks to inspire the voice of the student. When presenting ideas, open ended questions, or connecting to shared experiences, we as educators need to be flexible to the insights of the children. Educators equip, model respect, and demonstrate the acceptance of valuing/responding to differences

5 Ways to Facilitator Morning Meetings

1. Setting the Tone

Most adults do well with having a plan for the day. We may create a schedule the night before, update our calendars, set reminders on our phones, create a checklist, all of which helps us orient our mind for the day/tasks ahead. A plan, or simply knowing the plan, helps decrease the anxiety of the unknown.

Children benefit from knowing the plan as well.

• “What are we doing tomorrow?”
• “What is the plan for today?”
• “Will we have time for…”
• “I really wanted to…”

Children crave the ability to be able to prepare for the day ahead. Setting the tone may mean going over the calendar, the daily schedule, seeing what questions they may have for the day, and posing a question of the day to the students.

2. Teaching Students to Regulate Their Emotions

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a huge buzz word in the educational world today. It seems like everyone has an idea, technique, or strategy to increase the social skills and emotional regulation that will increase student learning.

As educators we know that when a students most basic needs are met, students have a great capacity for academic skills. However, I’m not sure about you, but my schedule is really really tight.

It feels as if my class and I barely have enough time to transition! Therefore, I have learned the importance of integrating SEL skills within other topics.

For example, one of my favorite aspects of a classroom meeting is being able to prepare for conflict resolution… especially before recess. I have found this is easily accomplished when integrating a read aloud story, the comprehension skill of Problem and Solution, and how to use solutions in their peer conflict at recess.

• Teach children to identify the problem
• Think of three basic solutions
• Talk directly to the person you are having conflict with
• Ask for help
• Find a compromise

Role play problem solving during recess, at lunch, during group work, standing in line, etc. While these activities take time, it is important to empower the students in being able to implement their skills in everyday life experiences.

5. Choose a Clear Social Emotional Learning Theme

I love a good theme!

I often like to create a monthly theme that integrates self-regulation, conflict resolution, social emotional learning, and academic strategies for students. For example, for the month of October we focus on Self-Regulation, identifying emotional triggers, and peer relationships.

I have found that focusing on a theme for each month allows for in-depth studies of important concepts.

Conclusion

Whether you have a Morning Meeting, afternoon meeting, closing meeting, or a family (classroom) meeting, I hope you take. the time to empower student voice.

I also hope that your classroom meets, at least once this year, resemble a High British Tea Party!

 

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