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Morning meeting Sets the Tone for Learning
Morning meetings are just a piece of the Repsonsive Classroom methods BCD adopted this year. These meetings occur each morning in all elementary classrooms.
Fifth grade teacher, Allison Doering, shares below some wonderful benefits her class is experiencing.
The way we begin each day in our classroom sets the tone for learning and speaks volumes about what and whom we value, about our expectations for the way we will treat each other, and about the way we believe learning occurs.
The way we begin each day in our classroom sets the tone for learning and speaks volumes about what and whom we value, about our expectations for the way we will treat each other, and about the way we believe learning occurs.
Children’s learning begins the second they walk in the doors of the building. It matters to children whether they are greeted warmly or overlooked, whether the classroom feels chaotic and unpredictable, or ordered and comforting. If they announce, “My cat got hit by a car last night but it’s gonna be all right,” they may find an interested, supporting audience or one that turns away. Every detail of their experience informs students about their classroom and their place in it.
When we start the day with everyone together, face-to-face, welcoming each person, sharing news, listening to individual voices, and communicating as a caring group, we make several powerful statements. We say that every person matters. We say that the way we interact individually and as a group matters. We say that our culture is one of friendliness and thoughtfulness. We say that hard work can be accomplished and important discoveries can be made by playing together. We say that teachers hold authority, even though they are a part of the circle. We say that this is a place where courtesy and warmth and safety reign.
In order to learn, we must take risks—offering up a tentative answer we are far from sure is right or trying out a new part in the choir when we are not sure we can hit the notes. We can take these risks only when we know we will be respected and valued, no matter the outcome. We must trust in order to risk, and Morning Meeting helps create a climate of trust.
Morning meeting has become an integral and vital part of our classroom. The topics vary from day to day. Some days we have a riddle where students need to come together, respect each other's ideas, and form a conclusion. Some days we spend time getting to know things that we feel are our strengths and our struggles. To open up and discuss things which we may feel vulnerable about, but still be accepted, is empowering and sets the tone for feeling that one may take risks in the classroom. Some days we talk about the importance of using mindful communication, words matter. We talk about being kind, yet direct. This time of the day is one of my favorites. The students are HARD workers and this time to come together and feel heard is beautiful!
Boulder Country Day School 4820 Nautilus Court North • Boulder, Colorado 80301 • Phone - 303.527.4931 • info@bouldercountryday.org
Boulder Country Day School, where academic distinction meets education with character. BCD is a top rated, accredited private school in Boulder, Colorado where every child has the opportunity to discover their own unique excellence. Distinguished by small class sizes, outstanding faculty, engaging academics and a focus on community, our preschool, elementary and IB middle school teachers strive to create a well-rounded educational environment that balances traditional subjects with the arts, world languages, athletics and knowledge based units.
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