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Showing posts with label morning meeting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label morning meeting. Show all posts

Me, Too! Not a Movement, But a Team Building Game!

Me, Too!

I know what you're thinking... wasn't there a "Me, too" movement a couple of years ago?
Me, Too! Not a Movement, but a Team Building Game! Here's a fun way to get the students thinking about what they have in common with their classmates!

I never really thought about that term being used in the classroom until I saw this on Twitter!

This game is great for the beginning of the school year, but it's also great for those times when a child is feeling a little too "different" and feels he doesn't belong. 

Me, Too! Not a Movement, but a Team Building Game! Here's a fun way to get the students thinking about what they have in common with their classmates!


It's also a great Morning Meeting activity!


It all starts with one child saying something they like. It can be an activity, or a food, or a toy, or even a subject in school. 

Me, Too! Not a Movement, but a Team Building Game! Here's a fun way to get the students thinking about what they have in common with their classmates!


Those students who also like that interest call out "Me, too!" and walk over to form a group of all those who like that item.

Me, Too! Not a Movement, but a Team Building Game! Here's a fun way to get the students thinking about what they have in common with their classmates!


After a few rounds, children will be joining with a variety of groups and agreeing with a variety of interests.

Me, Too! Not a Movement, but a Team Building Game! Here's a fun way to get the students thinking about what they have in common with their classmates!

Soon they'll be learning about the interests of their classmates. 

Me, Too! Not a Movement, but a Team Building Game! Here's a fun way to get the students thinking about what they have in common with their classmates!

They'll be learning they have things in common with classmates they never realized they'd have anything in common with!

Me, Too! Not a Movement, but a Team Building Game! Here's a fun way to get the students thinking about what they have in common with their classmates!

After a few times, they'll realize, even though there are some interests they don't share with classmates, there are plenty of interests that they do share!

Me, Too! Not a Movement, but a Team Building Game! Here's a fun way to get the students thinking about what they have in common with their classmates!

Most important, they will develop that feeling of belonging!

Me, Too! Not a Movement, but a Team Building Game! Here's a fun way to get the students thinking about what they have in common with their classmates!

We all know that feeling like they're part of the team is the very beginning of the learning process! Acceptance matters!

Looking for more Team Building ideas? 

Try these posts:

How do you help your students feel like they belong?

Me, Too! Not a Movement, but a Team Building Game! Here's a fun way to get the students thinking about what they have in common with their classmates!



Routine and Novelty: How Can We Keep a Balance?

It's important to keep routine in our daily life, especially when it comes to children. Routine brings a sense of security and builds confidence in children. Knowing what to expect in their day makes them feel in control of their surroundings. It helps them build the courage to take risks.

But routine can also become boring.


Routine and Novelty: How Can We Keep a Balance? This blog post explores why we need both routine and novelty, and how we know when to "shake it up."

Brain research tells us that brains need both routine and novelty to grow. Yes, these words are antonyms, but both are necessary for learning to happen. Too much routine can become tedious and dull. Too much novelty becomes confusing and chaotic. How can we find a balance?

The best way to find that balance? Pay attention to your students! This is probably the most important part of being a teacher or a parent: know your students! Watch for signs that they are happy, bored, confused, or content. This is how you know they should continue with a routine, or are ready for a "shake up." 

The beginning of the school year, or right after a break, sticking to a routine is essential. They find comfort in that routine, and are happier and more content. 

But after a while, that same routine becomes the enemy! They need something different. A change. But as we all know, many people fear change. It's a rocky road, so proceed with caution.

Start with something simple. I always love to change the seating arrangement when boredom starts to set in. They get to come into a classroom that's familiar, but there's something different. When they find their new spot, there are loads of smiles! Plus, I love the giggles when they start to walk to their old spot, then realize they don't sit there anymore!

A few other ideas for an easy change from the routine: 

  • change the schedule (be careful, this could cause a domino effect with children who receive services) 
  • bring in a special snack to go with your lesson
  • speak with a funny voice, or use an accent
  • take a break from what you're teaching and have a special lesson
  • take your lesson to a different spot... outside, in the hall, cafeteria, or any extra space
  • wear something unique that will spark their attention
  • introduce some new team building games See these blog posts: Space Balls, Paper Bag Dramatics, Team Building Activities  (these games can often be altered to fit academics)
  • have them wear something to go with a theme
  • bring in a guest teacher or guest reader
  • do some Reader's Theater in the classroom See this blog post: Dramatics in the Classroom
  • plan a craft or art project to go with your lesson
  • get some new books for your classroom library
 
Once the children are able to handle small changes, it's time for a BIG change in routine!

Here in New England, the winters are long, dark and cold! By mid-January, we always need something big to shake things up! By this time, the children are quite secure in their routine, and basically dealing with "cabin fever" and are absolutely sick of everything! (No matter where you live, I'm sure the children get to this point!)

These are some things I do to help shake them from this state:
Routine and Novelty: How Can We Keep a Balance? This blog post explores why we need both routine and novelty, and how we know when to "shake it up."


For more information about Routine and Novelty, see this blog post: Predictability and Novelty

Routine and Novelty: How Can We Keep a Balance? This blog post explores why we need both routine and novelty, and how we know when to "shake it up."


 
 


 

Team Building, Ice Breakers, and Get to Know You Activities

To teach children, we need to build relationships with them. 

To work comfortably with each other, they need to build relationships with each other. 

Team Building, Ice Breakers, and Get to Know You Activities: Here are some suggestions for building relationships.

So how can we build relationships?

Whether school is starting soon, or not for a while, these things are important:

  • Building bonds of trust with your students.
  • Helping students build bonds with each other.
  • Get to know the student's academic abilities,
  • Help the children get to know your expectations and procedures. 
This post suggests some team-building and getting-to-know-you activities. These activities will also help you get to know your students while showing your expectations as well!
 
Here's one way to get them comfortable with you and with
each other:

Team Building, Ice Breakers, and Get to Know You Activities: Here are some suggestions for building relationships.

Morning Meetings are a great way to start the day! I like to start with some sort of greeting. These Morning Meeting Greeting Activities come with a fun question for every single day, a nice picture and the same writing prompt.


Team Building, Ice Breakers, and Get to Know You Activities: Here are some suggestions for building relationships.


This "Get to Know You" Game is a perfect way to begin reading groups, centers, or just have fun. The cards can be shared at morning meeting, or used with the included Board Game.

Explore this image for a link to this popular resource!
 
This resource has a collection of games and activities for building classroom community. These are perfect for morning meetings!  60 Team Building Games and Activities to Build Classroom Community
 
Looking to save some money (and time) on a bundle? Try this one:
Team Building, Ice Breakers, and Get to Know You Activities: Here are some suggestions for building relationships.


Back to School Team Builders, Ice Breakers, and Get to Know You Activities! This collection has everything you'll need to get to know your students and get them feeling comfortable with each other! Once you've got them feeling safe and comfortable with each other, then the REAL learning can begin!

I'm sure you'll find ways to build relationships with your students. 

What's your plan?

Team Building, Ice Breakers, and Get to Know You Activities: Here are some suggestions for building relationships.

25 Alternatives to Handshakes

I always took pride in teaching my students the proper way to complete a handshake. After all, shaking hands is a life skill, isn't it? Well, maybe not any more! But we still need to greet each other!
25 Alternatives to Handshakes: Greeting classmates is an important part of bonding as a class and building relationships.
Building community in the classroom involves interactions.
 
Children (and adults) need to greet each other each day. The skill of positive interactions is one I am proud to teach because it is one they will need for the rest of their lives.

I think we can agree, handshakes are questionable with today's health challenges. But there are parts to the handshake that have value: a moment of "connection," eye contact, a greeting, and a respect for the other person.

I've come up with a list of 25 different greetings that students can do as part of a morning greeting, and end of school meeting, or simply saying hello to their teacher in the morning. Plus, they can be done in online meetings as well!

Here they are:

#1: Give the peace sign!

#2: Give each other heart hands!

#3: Give air hugs! 

25 Alternatives to Handshakes: Greeting classmates is an important part of bonding as a class and building relationships.
#4: Share a squirt of hand sanitizer!

#5: Wave!

25 Alternatives to Handshakes: Greeting classmates is an important part of bonding as a class and building relationships.


 

#6: Smile with your eyes!

#7: Jazz hands!

25 Alternatives to Handshakes: Greeting classmates is an important part of bonding as a class and building relationships.
 #8: Give each other a salute!

#9: Do a "One Second" Dance!

25 Alternatives to Handshakes: Greeting classmates is an important part of bonding as a class and building relationships.

#10: Raise your eyebrows!

#11: Throw your hands in the air!
25 Alternatives to Handshakes: Greeting classmates is an important part of bonding as a class and building relationships.

#12: Do two claps!

#13: Do a fist pump!

25 Alternatives to Handshakes: Greeting classmates is an important part of bonding as a class and building relationships.
#14: Give the "Sup" nod!

#15: Give a thumbs up!

25 Alternatives to Handshakes: Greeting classmates is an important part of bonding as a class and building relationships.

#16: Blow air kisses!

#17: Jump for joy!

25 Alternatives to Handshakes: Greeting classmates is an important part of bonding as a class and building relationships.

#18: Give "air" high fives!

#19: Give the "Live Long and Prosper" signal from Star Trek!

25 Alternatives to Handshakes: Greeting classmates is an important part of bonding as a class and building relationships.
#20: Place your hand on your heart!

#21: Namaste! 

 
25 Alternatives to Handshakes: Greeting classmates is an important part of bonding as a class and building relationships.

#22: Bow to each other!

#23: Wink at each other!

#24: Give each other the home alone face!
25 Alternatives to Handshakes: Greeting classmates is an important part of bonding as a class and building relationships.

 and #25: Have your class make up your own greeting!

Well there, now you have 25 ways to start or end your day that can be used in a socially distant classroom or during remote learning!

Here are some other ways to build community and team work in the classroom:


25 Alternatives to Handshakes: Greeting classmates is an important part of bonding as a class and building relationships.

Back to School Success Strategies Part 1: Establish Routines!

It's getting closer to that time again. 

No matter where you are in your summer vacation, getting back is in your future. This series of posts is designed to make that return a bit smoother for you.

This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help you establish routines.

Today is Part 1 in a five part series about returning to school successfully.

Establish Routines!

Establishing routines make children feel safe. It takes the "guesswork" out of each day when students know what to expect and what is expected from them. It makes children (and adults) feel secure when they know what is going to happen.

 

This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help you establish routines.

I like to start each day with a morning meeting. I typically have a question for discussion that's based on that day. These Morning Meeting Greeting Activities and Calendar Writing Prompts are perfect for displaying whether you're having a morning meeting in the classroom or virtually.

This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help you establish routines.


Each month comes with daily pictures/ prompts for display, plus matching text for writing answers.This is a great routine that could be started every morning in the classroom. They could also be discussed, then given as a written assignment as well.

This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help you establish routines.


This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help you establish routines.


Math facts are an important part of the math routine, as research tells us these should be practiced a little bit each day. I swear by this system, which gives the students a small amount of fact families at a time to master. It's very easy to differentiate, as they can move to the next level as soon as they show mastery. Plus, there's a digital component for practice and/ or assessment! Math Fact Fluency Systems for Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division Fact Fluency.

 

This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help you establish routines.

For years, I have started the beginning of the school year by teaching these Six Strategies for Success. We recited them (along with gestures) every morning during Morning Meeting. Six Strategies for Success in School: Activities, Booklets, and Posters

This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help you establish routines.

Another routine to start is regular communication with parents. Here's something that will make your life easier! (The Back to School edition is free, if you want to check that one out!) Parent Communication Monthly Brochures
 
This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help you establish routines.

  
I If you have some time in the classroom at the beginning of the school year with yoru students, starting Writer's Workshop would be a top priority! This resource will help you get going. Writer's Workshop Starter Kit. Once the students learn the routine, they can practice at home. For more about Writer's workshop, see this blog post: Writer's Workshop.

Here are a couple more resources to help you get started on some important beginning-of-the-year routines:

These are perfect for learning and spelling sight words: Research Based Sight Word and Spelling Activity Cards.

Research tells us that sight words are best practiced in phrases. I've used these Warm-up Phrases as a warm up to my reading groups for years! It's great for building fluency! The first in the series is free: Dolch Warm-up Phrases: Pre-primer Level.

Be sure to read the other four parts of these Back to School Success Strategies!

This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help you establish routines.

This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help you build relationships.

This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help you review known skills.

This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help you watch out for their health.

This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help watch out for their emotional health.
 

I imagine you're thinking of more routines that will be important. 

I hope you'll share some of these in the comments below.

 
This is a series of 5 posts designed to make the return smooth and successful. This post has some ideas that will help you establish routines.

Inspire Your Girls (and Boys, Too!)

March is Women's History Month! 

There just aren't enough role models in our lives for girls. But they need encouragement and inspiration just as much as the boys do!

Inspire your girls (and boys, too!) There just aren't enough role models in our lives for girls. But they need encouragement and inspiration just as much as the boys do! Here are some ideas to help them think about!

March is a great time to explore ways to inspire your girls, since it's Women's History Month! Here are some books to share with your girls (and boys, of course!)

The right words at the right time can really inspire many to improve their lives and become successful.  Here are some of my favorite quotes from women, appropriate for children.


Inspire your girls (and boys, too!) There just aren't enough role models in our lives for girls. But they need encouragement and inspiration just as much as the boys do! Here are some ideas to help them think about!


 These are great words for girls (and boys) to think about, aren't they? 

Inspire your girls (and boys, too!) There just aren't enough role models in our lives for girls. But they need encouragement and inspiration just as much as the boys do! Here are some ideas to help them think about!

Yes, we're expected to spend time teaching reading, writing, and math, but getting kids to think about their future and their own impact on the future is pretty important, isn't it? 


Inspire your girls (and boys, too!) There just aren't enough role models in our lives for girls. But they need encouragement and inspiration just as much as the boys do! Here are some ideas to help them think about!

Kids need to learn about the power of their own voice, don't they?

Inspire your girls (and boys, too!) There just aren't enough role models in our lives for girls. But they need encouragement and inspiration just as much as the boys do! Here are some ideas to help them think about!

I love to have the kiddos talk (or write) about what they think some of these quotes mean. They make great Morning Meeting prompt!


Inspire your girls (and boys, too!) There just aren't enough role models in our lives for girls. But they need encouragement and inspiration just as much as the boys do! Here are some ideas to help them think about!

These discussions are a great way to start the day. Perfect for morning meetings!


Seriously, don't you want your students to think about this?


I have a set of 50 of these quotes, available here:

Explore this image for a link to this inspiring resource.

How you inspire your students to be the best they can be?

Inspire your girls (and boys, too!) There just aren't enough role models in our lives for girls. But they need encouragement and inspiration just as much as the boys do! Here are some ideas to help them think about!

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