This post is all about Morning Meeting Ideas

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Morning meetings are a great way to kick off the school day, fostering connection, social-emotional learning (SEL), and a sense of belonging in the classroom. These gatherings create a positive tone for learning, strengthen relationships, and build a supportive classroom community.

Over the years, I’ve discovered that incorporating creative and intentional activities into morning meetings can transform the classroom dynamic. In this post, I’ll share 20 inspiring morning meeting ideas that will energize your students and help build a strong sense of community. Whether you’re new to teaching or looking to refresh your routines, you’ll find practical tips and examples to get started!

1. Greeting Circle

Begin each morning meeting with a personalized greeting. From a simple handshake to saying “hello” in different languages, this activity ensures every student feels acknowledged. One of my favorites is where each student gets to choose a unique greeting like a fist pump or a high wave. These moments create a sense of individuality while reinforcing community bonds.

For younger students, you can even use a greeting board with different options—a wave, a hug, or even a silly dance move. This adds an element of choice and fun, helping students start their day on a positive note.

2. Share Something Positive

Start on a positive note by encouraging students to share a recent win or something they’re grateful for. It could be as simple as enjoying a tasty breakfast or scoring a goal in soccer. Sharing positivity promotes active listening and empathy.

One year, I had a student share that they were grateful for their classmates helping them learn how to tie their shoes. This simple act of kindness sparked a domino effect of students looking out for each other that week. It’s small moments like these that build a classroom community.

3. Morning Affirmations

Lead the class in repeating affirmations like “I am capable” or “I can overcome challenges.” Affirmations help build confidence and encourage a growth mindset. My students always light up after a round of affirmations—it’s a powerful way to set the tone for the day.

For a more interactive approach, let students come up with their own affirmations. Writing these on the board and letting them lead the chant adds ownership and empowerment.

Try these Affirmation Flashcards and posters FOR FREE!!!

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4. Question of the Day

Pose a fun, open-ended question, such as, “If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?” These icebreakers spark creativity and give every student a chance to express themselves.

It’s amazing how these questions help students relax and connect with each other. You could extend it further and use it as a writing prompt as well.

5. Compliment Chain

Boost kindness with a compliment chain. One student compliments another, who then passes it on. By the end, everyone has shared and received kind words. This activity builds self-esteem and reinforces positive interactions.

6. SEL Check-In

Incorporate SEL into your morning meeting by checking in on emotions. Use a visual chart or let students describe their mood with weather metaphors (“I’m feeling cloudy today”). Acknowledging emotions builds emotional intelligence and strengthens connections.

For instance, when a student shared they felt “rainy” because their pet was unwell, the class rallied around with support and empathy. Moments like these deepen the classroom bond.

I love using these daily check-in forms with my kids. They can fill them out privately and you get sent the results! Try it today for free just by signing up for free content monthly!

7. Group Breathing Exercises

Mindfulness activities like deep breathing are a great way to help students focus. Try techniques like “five-finger breathing” or simple belly breaths. Even just a minute can calm the class and prepare them for the day.

During particularly energetic mornings, I’ve found it helpful to play calming music during these exercises. It creates a soothing atmosphere that helps students reset.

I love using this yoga PDF in my classroom. It’s quick, requires no prep, and is so easy to use. You can use it as slides or print it out as posters. Try it for free today!

8. Classroom Pledge

Create a classroom pledge together, focusing on values like respect and kindness. Reciting the pledge during morning meetings reminds students of the shared goals they’re working towards.

Last year, my class included a line about “being brave enough to try new things.” It became a daily mantra that inspired so many wonderful moments of growth and courage.

9. Team-Building Games

Games like “Two Truths and a Lie” or “Would You Rather” are perfect for fostering relationships and encouraging students to learn more about each other. These activities inject fun into your morning routine.

One particularly memorable game involved students pretending to be secret spies with made-up “codes” they had to share. The laughter brought everyone closer.

If this sparks interest make sure to read my blog post on How PE Promotes Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom

10. Gratitude Circle

Take turns sharing something you’re thankful for. Gratitude practices build positivity and encourage students to recognize the good in their lives. One student once shared they were thankful for their classmates, calling them their “school family.” It was such a touching moment!

11. SEL-Themed Read-Aloud

Choose a short story with an SEL theme, like The Invisible Boy or Have You Filled a Bucket Today? After reading, discuss the lesson with the class. These stories are a gentle way to teach empathy and kindness.

In my class, these read-alouds often sparked deeper discussions about friendship, feelings, and inclusion. They’re perfect for setting a thoughtful tone for the day.

Check out my tried and tested SEL must have reading books here:

SEL READING BOOKS

12. Weekly Goal Setting

On Mondays, have students set individual or group goals for the week. Revisit these goals on Fridays to celebrate progress. This activity fosters accountability and a growth mindset.

One week, our goal was to “use kind words”—and the transformation was incredible! Students became so mindful of how they spoke to one another.

13. Movement Breaks

Incorporate movement into your morning meeting with stretches, yoga, or a quick dance party. Tools like GoNoodle offer fun, guided movement activities that energize students.

During a rainy week, we added some silly dance moves, and it became an instant mood booster. Movement is a fantastic way to shake off sluggishness and start fresh.

14. Compliment a Peer

Ask each student to compliment someone they don’t usually interact with. This activity encourages students to step out of their comfort zones and fosters new connections.

To make this easier, I provide sentence starters like, “I noticed you…” or “Thank you for…” Students quickly embrace the idea of spreading kindness.

15. “What Would You Do?” Scenarios

Present real-life situations, such as “What would you do if a friend felt left out?” These scenarios promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and empathy.

It’s amazing to hear students’ creative solutions. One suggestion involved making a “friendship bracelet” as a way to welcome someone new.

16. Student Spotlight

Dedicate time to highlight one student each day. Let them share about their hobbies, favorite books, or family traditions. This activity celebrates individuality and fosters inclusivity.

Students often beam with pride when it’s their turn. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to make everyone feel seen.

17. Morning Meeting Jobs

Assign roles for the meeting, such as greeter, question leader, or timekeeper. Giving students responsibilities builds leadership skills and keeps them engaged.

Rotating these roles also ensures that everyone feels involved and valued.

18. Shared Classroom Goals

Work together on a collective goal, like completing a kindness challenge or earning points for teamwork. Celebrating milestones fosters unity and shared purpose.

One year, my class set a goal to complete 100 acts of kindness, and the excitement grew with each tally on our chart.

This Kindness Bingo is such a fun and easy way to incorporate kindness in your classroom!

19. Creative Brainstorming

Pose creative challenges, such as “What’s a new invention you’d like to create?” or “How many uses can you think of for a paperclip?” These activities encourage collaboration and innovative thinking.

20. End with a Chant or Song

Wrap up your meeting with a fun chant or song. My class loved creating our own chant—it became a special tradition that brought us closer together.

Must-Have Products to Enhance Your Morning Meetings

Incorporating the right tools and resources can make your morning meetings even more engaging and meaningful. Here are some Amazon products that teachers can use to support their morning meeting routines:

Feelings Chart or Emotion Cards
Help students express their emotions during SEL check-ins with a visual chart or set of emotion cards. These resources make it easier for young learners to identify and share their feelings.
Shop Feelings Chart
Morning Meeting Greeting Board
A greeting board with options like waves, fist bumps, or silly dances adds an interactive and fun element to morning greetings.
Find Greeting Boards
Affirmation Cards or Posters
Set a positive tone with pre-made affirmation cards or posters that encourage self-esteem and a growth mindset. These can serve as visual reminders for students.
Explore Affirmation Cards
Storybooks with SEL Themes
Add books like The Invisible Boy or Have You Filled a Bucket Today? to your morning read-aloud routine to teach empathy, kindness, and emotional intelligence.
Shop SEL Books
Breathing and Mindfulness Tools
Tools like breathing balls (Hoberman spheres) or mindfulness activity cards are perfect for guided mindfulness exercises. They can help students calm their minds and focus for the day ahead.
Movement Break Cards or Yoga Mats
Incorporate movement into your meetings with cards that suggest fun stretches or yoga poses. Yoga mats are a great addition to create a designated space for these activities.
Dry-Erase Boards or Goal-Setting Charts
Use dry-erase boards or charts for weekly goal-setting activities. These tools make it easy to track and celebrate progress as a class.
Explore Goal-Setting Tools
Classroom Chants and Songs CD or Playlist
Bring energy to your meetings with a CD or playlist of classroom-friendly songs and chants. Music helps create a lively, memorable end to your meetings.
Kindness Challenge Resources
Track acts of kindness with a visual poster or tally chart. These resources make it easy to celebrate students’ positive behaviours and reinforce the importance of kindness.
Creative Thinking Tools
Foster collaboration and critical thinking with items like brainstorming activity cards or even simple props like pipe cleaners and paperclips for creative challenges.

By integrating these products into your morning meetings, you’ll create a dynamic and engaging environment that enhances learning, promotes social-emotional growth, and strengthens your classroom community.

Morning Meeting Ideas Summary

Morning meetings are much more than a daily routine they’re an opportunity to build a positive and inclusive classroom culture. By incorporating these 20 morning meeting ideas, you’ll see your students thrive socially and emotionally while strengthening their sense of community.

Which morning meeting ideas have you tried in your classroom? Share your experiences in the comments below. I’d love to hear them. Together, we can continue fostering stronger, happier classroom communities!