Students sitting on a carpet in a classroom

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in the First Six Weeks: Elementary School

Sample Morning Meetings and Closing Circles for the beginning of the school year.

This six-week calendar resource includes sample Morning Meetings and Closing Circles for the beginning of the school year, though these activities may be reused throughout the year. School teams are encouraged to adapt these activities where necessary to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Schools may also use other high-quality activities of their choosing, provided they are aligned with these practices and support SEL skill development.

The Responsive Classroom model defines Morning Meeting as an engaging way to start each day, build a strong sense of community, and set children up for success socially and academically. Each morning, students and teachers gather for 20 to 30 minutes to interact with one another during four purposeful components: 

  • Greeting: Students and teachers greet one other by name. 
  • Sharing: Students share information about important events in their lives or about the learning going on in their classrooms. Listeners often offer empathetic comments or ask clarifying questions. 
  • Group Activity: Everyone participates in a brief, lively activity that fosters group cohesion and helps students practice social and academic skills (for example, reciting a poem, dancing, singing, or playing a game). 
  • Morning Message: Students read and interact with a short message written by their teacher. The message is crafted to help students focus on the work they’ll do in school that day. 

A closing circle is a positive, structured way to bring closure to the school day. Students gather for five to ten minutes to do a brief activity or reflection before dismissal.

Week 1: Intro to Morning Meeting

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Good Morning Wave
Students should be sitting in a circle so all students can see each other. If students will remain at their seats/ desks, model for students how they will turn their bodies to face each speaker during the greeting. Once everyone is ready, the teacher greets each student one at a time by saying “Good morning, [blank]!” Classmates wave and echo the teacher’s greeting until all students have been greeted. 

Another Variation: Have students introduce themselves by saying and waving “Good morning! My name is [blank].” The class responds with “Good morning [blank].” and a wave.

Sharing

“What colors do you like?” or “What is your favorite color?”

I like the color(s) [blank]. 

Activity

Red Light, Green Light
Have students stand in their spaces. When you, as the traffic controller, say “Green light,” everyone starts dancing and wiggling around. When you say “Red light,” everyone has to freeze. Repeat.

Teacher Note: Consider a red and green visual to help students understand and engage with the activity. 

Morning Message

[Date]
Good morning!
Today is our first day of [blank] grade.
Let’s have a great day! 
[Closing and signature]

Closing Circle

What’s something new you learned about someone today?

Today, I learned [blank] about [blank]. 

Today, I learned that [blank] likes [blank]. 

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Wave Greeting

  • SAY: “Good morning [insert grade, i.e. 3rd graders]. Just like yesterday, each morning we will have a morning meeting. During the morning meeting, we will greet each other, share about ourselves, do an activity, and I will have a message for you. 
  • SAY: We are going to introduce ourselves and wave hello to each other as we say each other’s names. I will turn to the person on my right and say “Hello my name is [blank].” They will wave back and Say, “Good morning [blank], my name is [blank]. I will say “Good morning [blank] and return the wave. We will continue around the circle until everyone is greeted.

Teacher Note: Reinforce key social and emotional learning skills you want to emphasize (i.e. making eye contact, using an audible voice level, a friendly tone, using each other’s name etc.)

Sharing

Partner Share

  • Review some of the activities you completed on the first day of school. 
  • Put students into partnerships with the person sitting next to them. Have students complete this sentence stem: “My favorite part of the first day of school was[blank] ” or “Something that stuck out to me on the first day of school was[blank]”

Activity

Just Like Me

  • The person leading the activity stands and names an interest, information about their family, or experience that other students might share. For example, “I like to paint”, “I have a younger sister” or “I used facetime to talk to my family this summer”.
  • Everyone to whom the statement applies stands up and says, “Just like me!” and then sits down again.
  • The leader reads another statement and participants again respond.
  • The activity continues through a predetermined number of statements.
  • The teacher begins by saying, “I am now in the [insert grade]”
  • Take volunteers to share a few statements or the teacher can continue to make statements.

Morning Message

Chorally read the message. 

Good morning [insert grade, i.e. 3rd graders], 
Today we will continue to learn more about each other. We will practice our class attention signal. We will continue to learn about routines and expectations to make our class a fun and safe place to learn!
Let’s have a great day!  
Your Teacher

Closing Circle

  • Gather students back in the circle.
  • Review the events of the day
  • To end our day, we are going to share one thing you enjoyed during class today. 
  • Use the sentence stem, “Today I enjoyed[blank].”
  • Have all students share out around the circle or create partnerships.

Morning Meeting 

Category Directions

Greeting

Name and Motion

  • Participants will take turns saying their own name while making a motion that represents something they enjoy doing. 
  • Each participant in turn will repeat the names and gestures of those who have gone before, and then will add their own name and gesture. For younger grades, consider just doing the motion of the student before them.
  • Model with your name and motion, e.g., "I'm Mr./Ms./Mrs./Mx.[blank] and I like to play basketball.” (Pretend to throw a ball towards a hoop.) 
  • Check for understanding, then ask the person to your right to begin. Model by repeating their name and demonstrating their motion.
  • If someone can't remember a name or motion, invite them to ask someone in the circle for help and to thank that person for their assistance. 

Sharing

Partner Share
“Turn to your partner and share your favorite food.”   

Use sentence stem, “My favorite food is [blank].”

Activity

Would You Rather?

  • Assign small groups (approx: 4 students). Teachers should project the images and read the questions to the groups. Use provided questions or ask teacher or student generated questions. Ask students to select their answer and share with their group. If they select the same answer, encourage students to make the connection sign. Model the connection sign for students before beginning the activity.
  • K-2 Questions Would you Rather? 
    • Eat ice cream or cake? (pause for groups to respond) 
    • Play a game at recess or play on the playground?
    • Ride a scooter or ride a bike? 
  • 3-6 Questions Would You Rather? 
    • Eat donuts or candy?
    • Be able to fly or be invisible?
    • Live on the moon or go to Mars?
    • Live without a TV or without a phone?
    • Meet your favorite celebrity or be in a movie? 

Teacher note: Reinforce the attention signal procedure you have established between each round. Remind students of what is expected when necessary.

Morning Message

Chorally read the message. 

Good morning class, 
Today we made new connections with each other. When we have a connection with a peer, we can make the connection sign. I look forward to making more connections as we learn together.
Have a great day! 
Your Teacher  

Closing Circle

One Word Accolade
SAY:  “As we end our day today, let’s form a circle and say one kind word that describes our class. I will go first, “Caring”. Turn to the student to the right, how about you, (student’s name).” If a student needs support, offer 2 words they can choose from (i.e., friendly, funny).  

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

High Five Greeting
Students say good morning to their neighbor, using their name, and give them a high five (or air high five). This continues around the circle until everyone has been greeted.  

Sharing

Partner Share
Turn and talk with your neighbor. “After school, I like to[blank].”

Activity

Walk and Talk

  • Assign students a partner or keep the same partner from the sharing. 
  • Invite students to chat with that partner about a given topic and walk around the room. 
  • Model what it should look and sound like as students walk and talk with their partner.
  • The teacher then raises a hand (or designated signal) to signal that students should stop, look and listen for the next instruction.
  • Reinforce key elements of using the quiet signal (i.e. “I noticed everyone stopped talking right away”, “when I raised my hand, I saw students looking at me”, etc.
  • Give students a new topic to walk and talk about. Continue to play 2-3 rounds. 

Possible topics

  • Something you did over the summer
  • Something you are looking forward to
  • Something that made you laugh recently
  • Favorite tv show or movie
  • Share something about your family  

Teacher Note: Consider using the structure of Walk and Talk throughout the day to keep learning active and interactive.

Morning Message

Chorally read the message.

Good morning listeners! 
Each day we have been learning each other’s names and interests.  We are also doing a great job learning our classroom routines.  
Have a great day! 
Your Teacher 

Closing Circle

Closing Class Chant
“We are going to learn a class chant today.  
We’re gonna give . . . this . . . group a hand.
We’re gonna give this group a hand. (Clap twice)
We’re gonna give . . . this . . . group a hand.
We’re gonna give this group a hand. (Clap twice)
So raise your hands up in the air, (Raise hands)
And pat your neighbor . . . right there. (Pat neighbors’ shoulders)”

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Good Morning Around the Circle 

  • SAY: “For today’s greeting we will go around the circle and greet each other by name and say “good morning” to the person next to you. I will go first, “Good morning, [blank]” (greet the student to your right or left and then have that student greet the person next to them). 

Teacher Note: Reinforce key social and emotional learning skills you want to emphasize (i.e. making eye contact, using an audible voice level, a friendly tone, using each other’s name etc.)

Sharing

Partner Share

  • SAY: “Each day this week we have done a Morning Meeting. We start with a greeting, share a little about ourselves, do an activity and end by reading the message.”
  • Have students turn to a partner and share “What is your favorite part of the morning meeting?”
    • “My favorite part of morning meeting is [blank] (because[blank]). 

Activity

Electricity Game

  • Have students stand in a circle. 
  • Students will send “electricity” around the circle by each putting up their pointer fingers facing one another and saying, “Buzz” or “That's electric!” The electricity will be passed from student to student until it returns to the first sender. 

Morning Message

Highlight the word “electrifying” in the message. Ask for a volunteer to come up with a motion for the word electrifying. Read the message chorally or to students and have everyone show the motion when you come across the word.

Good morning class,
This class is electrifying! Today is Friday and our first week of school is almost complete!  The energy in this room is electrifying! What have you enjoyed most about this week?  I have enjoyed meeting and learning about all of you! 
Have an electrifying Friday! 
Your Teacher

Closing Circle 

2 Minute Closing

  • SAY: “What an amazing week it has been!  We have learned a little about each other in our class. We’ll take two minutes for our closing activity today, and within those two minutes say goodbye to as many of your peers as you can. You will wave goodbye to each person and use their name.”

    Teacher Note: Model what it will look and sound like to safely move around the room and say goodbye to others (i.e. staying calm, walking, stopping and facing the person you are greeting, etc.)

Week 2: Intro to Morning Meeting

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Rainbow Wave
Set a 1 minute timer. Students walk around the room greeting all of their classmates “Good morning [blank].” using a rainbow wave. (hands up at top of rainbow and go down in an arch). 

 Teacher Note: consider giving students a signal to indicate they have already been greeted (i.e. crossing your arms)

Sharing

SAY: Rainbows come out after it rains. What is your favorite type of weather?

My favorite weather is [blank]. 

Teacher Note: Post pictures with labels on a google slide to give students a visual. 

Activity

Pop!
Students stand in a circle. The teacher picks a number to count to. Whenever you get to that number (i.e. 7, the student says Pop! And sits down instead). Then, the next person starts over at 1. Keep playing until the last student is standing. 

Teacher Note: You can also keep the count going and stop at multiples (i.e. multiples of 5–5, 10, 15, 20).

Morning Message

[Date]
Good morning!
A rainbow wave is a great way to greet others in the hallway silently, today, if you see someone you know while walking in the hallway. Try greeting them with the rainbow wave.
Let’s have a great day! 
[Closing and signature]

Closing Circle

“Today, I saw [blank] greet a friend/teacher in the hallway using the rainbow wave. Who else greeted someone with a quiet wave?”

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Knock, Knock Greeting
Have students form a circle. The teacher can go first and then continue around the circle to the right. 
Student 1:  Knock knock! 
All:  Who’s there?!
Student 1:  (says first name)
All (first name who?)
Student 1: (says first and last name)
All: Good morning (repeats first and last name)

Sharing

Turn to your partner and finish this sentence in 5 words or less. “This morning I [blank].”  

Optional: Give students a few examples or have a student volunteer offer an example. (i.e. “This morning I hugged my dog.”; “This morning I wanted to sleep longer”, “This morning I made breakfast for my brother”). Having students count words on their fingers is also helpful.

Activity

20 Questions 
Teachers are encouraged to model the first round, then select student volunteers to lead the following rounds. 

Lower Grades

  • Give students an object in a given category (categories might include: animals, vegetables, school, toys, etc.). Tell the class which category the mystery object fits into. Optional: brainstorm types of questions the students might ask. For example if the object is a “desk” in the category of “school” students might ask questions such as: “Is it something we use every day? Is it in every classroom? etc. 
  • Have one student ask a Yes or No question to try and guess what the object is. Continue until 20 questions have been asked or the object has been guessed.
  • Have the students guess the mystery object after they have asked all of their 20 Questions. If the object has not been guessed within three tries, have the student reveal the mystery object.
  • 10 questions might be more sustainable for lower elementary students.

Upper Grades

  • Think of an object that can be classified as an animal, vegetable, school, toy, etc. Tell the other students which category the mystery object fits into.
  • Have one student ask a Yes or No question to try and guess what the object is. Continue until 20 questions have been asked or the object has been guessed.
  • Have the students guess the mystery object after they have asked all of their 20 Questions or reveal the mystery object.

Morning Message

Good morning detectives,
Asking questions can help us find out more information. Today we will play 20 questions. As we play, it is important to listen to your classmates when they ask questions. You might find an answer that you need too! 
Have a terrific Tuesday! 
Your teacher 

Closing Circle

Around-the-circle 

“Share one thing you learned today.” 

Use the sentence stem: Today I learned [blank].

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Shake It Greeting

  • Have students stand in the circle
  • Going around the circle, students say good morning by shaking feet, ankles, elbows, pinkies etc. 
  • The teacher can assign one for the greeting or students can choose which one they’d like to use from a list.  . 
 Teacher Note: Reinforce key social and emotional learning skills you want to emphasize (i.e. facing the person you are talking to, offering a smile, using a friendly tone, eye contact etc.)

Sharing

Class Brainstorm

  • Turn to your partner and share something positive you can say or do to a friend if they made a mistake. (i.e. “Its ok, we all make mistakes, are you ok?”)
  • Give students time to brainstorm with their partner.
  • Have student volunteers share ideas with the whole class.
  • Optional: make a list of all responses to use as an anchor chart throughout the year.

Teacher Note: Use reinforcing language on things you noticed while partners were talking. For example, “I noticed partners saying, “looking at each other to show they were listening” or “I noticed partners taking turns talking.”

Activity

One, Two, Three Clap
Place students in groups of 2. The same partners face each other during each of the three rounds. 

Round 1: 

  • With your partner, count to three over and over again, with each partner saying the next number in the sequence. (Model slowly with a partner.)
  • After one or two minutes, give the quiet signal. 
  • Follow Up: When you were playing, how many of you made a mistake? What did you do when you made a mistake?" (Common answers: “Laughed” or "Said sorry" or “Pulled back.”)
  • SAY: These are all ways that people give cues to the group that say, "I've got this. I'll laugh at myself or apologize as my way of handling making a mistake." 

Round 2: 

  • Explain that for this round, pairs should replace the number “1” with a clap and then continue the number sequence “2-3" counted out loud (Clap-2-3, Clap-2-3, etc.). 
  • Model slowly with a partner. During the modeling purposefully make a mistake, such as saying “1” instead of clapping after “3.” Raise your hands in the air and say, "Tah-dah!" 
  • Once everyone has had a minute or two to play, use your quiet signal to call the round to a close. Ask, "How did it feel to make a mistake?" 

Additional Rounds (If desired)

Round 3: 

  • Explain that in this round, participants should clap for “1,” replace the number “2” with a foot stomp, and say “3.” (Clap, stomp, 3; Clap, stomp, 3; etc.). 
  • Model this with a partner and purposefully make a mistake, such as saying “2” instead of stomping. You and your partner now give each other double high-fives and shout, “Tah-dah!” together, and start over again. 
  • Once everyone has had a minute or two to play, call the round to a close with your quiet signal.  

Morning Message

Good morning team,
Today is the last day of August. During our day today we will create positive energy by encouraging each other. We will listen and cheer for each other even when we make a mistake. When we work together we can do our best. Have a wonderful Wednesday!   
Tah-dah!
Your Teacher

Closing Circle

The first student will turn to their right and say “Good job today!” Continue around the circle. 

 

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

The Weekend is Near Chant

“Hello, (student name). The weekend is near! What are you going to do when it’s here? 

Student 1:  Hello, everyone! I’m going to [blank]!”

Group: Have fun! 

Group greets the next person, and continues this pattern around the circle until everyone has been greeted. 

Sharing

Partner Share

“What is your favorite summer activity?”

My favorite summer activity is [blank].

Optional: have a slide with pictures of different summer activities. 

Activity

Hot Potato Game

Materials needed: 

  • Access to music that can be turned on and off
  • A “potato” (i.e. ball, beanbag, any small object)

Instructions: 

  • Show students two different dance moves to use during the game (jumping, turning in a circle, touching your toes, waving your arms etc. 
  • Have the whole class practice each dance move
  • Introduce the “hot potato” (show object)
  • Explain to students that we’re going to keep passing it around as long as the music is playing. When the music stops, every one will do this dance move (pick one the class practiced) The person who is holding the hot potato will do a different dance (pick the other dance move the class practiced)
  • Ask , “What should we keep in mind when we play this game so that it is safe and so that everyone has fun?” Elicit a few responses
  • Play for a few rounds. 

Morning Message

Good morning friendly students, 
We have learned a lot about each other in the first two weeks of school!  We will have a long weekend break. Tomorrow is a student holiday and Monday is Labor Day. Try to get outside or play a game with a family member or friend. What will you do this weekend? 
Fondly,
Your teacher

Closing Circle

Around the Circle Share
“Take turns sharing one way you will relax this weekend.”

Week 3: Relationship Building

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Saying “Hello” in a different language.

Students will greet each other with “hello” in  a language other than English (adapt to include some of the languages represented in your classroom. 

Examples: Hola (Spanish), Konnichiwa ( Japanese), Privet (pree-vee-yet) (Russian), Bonjour (French), Ciao (Italian)

Teacher Note: consider giving students a signal to indicate they have already been greeted (i.e. crossing your arms)

Sharing

Partner Share:

“What is your favorite animal?”

My favorite animal is [blank].

Have students figure out 1 way their animals are similar and different.

Activity

Red Light, Green Light
Have students stand in their spaces. When you, as the traffic controller, say “Green light,” everyone starts dancing and wiggling around. When you say “Red light,” everyone has to freeze. Repeat.

Morning Message

Welcome back [blank] graders! 
Today is your first day back to school after a long weekend! Think about your weekend. What is one thing you liked doing?
[Closing and signature]

Closing Circle

“I am curious about [blank]” At the end of an engagement, participants are asked to reflect on something that they are curious about as a result of their day/meeting/lesson. They will then share their reflection with a partner or with their table group.

What was something you were curious about today?

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Nonverbal Greeting

  • SAY: “People around the world greet each other in different ways. Common ways to greet others include (model each) a handshake or hand wave, while others bow or show other signs of respect toward each other. Today we will use our bodies to communicate “Hello” to your classmates. 
  • Ask for a student volunteer to model this greeting with you
  • Give students 30 seconds to silently think about which greeting they might use and how they will move around the classroom safely and greet other students respectfully.
  • Have students move around and greet each other using a wave, a bow, high five, put your hand on your heart while looking at your classmate, or shake hands.”

Teacher Note: use reinforcing language after activity based on what you saw. Examples might include: walking, greeting lots of different peers, facing the person being greeted etc. 

Sharing

Partner Share

“How can you tell if someone is happy?  How can you tell if someone is upset?”

Optional: share out a few ideas with the whole class

Activity

Emotion Charades  

This can be played as a whole group or in smaller groups. 

  • Invite students to come up with a list of emotions (5-10), and write them on the board. If it is helpful, draw emojis to match the listed feelings. Try to have about the same number of enjoyable feelings.

    Here are some examples:

    Enjoyable Feelings: Happy, Excited, Relief, Peaceful, Curious, Surprised, Loving 

    Uncomfortable Feelings: Frustrated, Confused, Fear, Bored, Lonely, Annoyed, Sleepy
     
  • Demonstrate how to act out one of the emotion words, and have the group guess.
  • Ask a student volunteer to come to the front of the room and select one of the feeling words that is listed on the board. That child will then face the other group members and act out the emotion using facial and body expressions. 
  • Have the rest of the class raise their hand to guess which feeling it is. 
  • The student who correctly guesses the feeling will get to go next or you can ask for another volunteer. 
  • Put a check mark next to each word as it is used, and continue playing until all the words in the list have been acted out, or as many fit in your time frame.
  • SAY: Throughout our day today, notice how yourself and others use body language to communicate how they are feeling. We will talk more about it at Closing Circle. 

Morning Message

Good morning class, 
Our bodies and faces can communicate or show how we are feeling.  It can be hard to know how others are feeling. We can use body cues to help us learn more. Think about how you are feeling today. Draw how you are feeling in the space below:  
Smile, 
Your teacher  

Closing Circle

Clock Partner Share

  • SAY: “Today we learned more about how our bodies can show or communicate feelings to others.” 
  • Give students a partner or use clock partners
  • Ask: “What types of body cues or body language did you notice in yourself or in others today?” Give students a couple minutes to talk.
  • Tell students to give their partner a non-verbal signal to communicate “good job!” (i.e. model thumbs up, ok sign, smile, bow, etc.)

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Name and Motion - Feelings Edition

  • SAY: Think about how you are feeling today. We are going to go around the circle, say our names, and make a motion or facial expression representing how you are feeling today.
  • Give a few examples of how students could be feeling: happy, tired, excited, curious, calm, overwhelmed, energetic, proud, nervous, confident, etc.
  • Model saying your name with motion, e.g., "I'm [teacher] and I feel excited (demonstrate an excited facial expression and motion).”  
  • Have the class say good morning [student’s name] and mimic their facial expression or motion
  • Continue around the circle until everyone is greeted

Sharing

Partner share
“What helps you feel welcome at school?  What makes you feel welcome when working in a small group?”

Activity

Back to Back: An activity to build self awareness and communication. 

Materials: Paper, coloring utensils, and pictures of random objects. Give each group pictures so they can randomly choose what to describe to their partner. 

  • Have two students sit back-to-back
  • One student has an object and the other has colored pencils and paper. 
  • The student with the object must describe it in as much detail as possible, without directly saying what it is.
  • The second student must draw the object as best they can, based on the communication of the student with the object.
  • After an allotted amount of time reveal the pictures and switch roles

Ask students about their communication during the activity. What was helpful? Were there any issues with communication you had to work through? Allow 2-3 students to share. 

Morning Message

Good morning communicators! 
Today we will practice communicating with each other. Good communicators listen carefully, speak clearly, and consider the feelings of others. Think about how you can be a positive communicator today.
Have a Terrific Thursday! 
Your Teacher

Closing Circle

Clock Partner Share

  • SAY: Today we learned more about communicating with others and many other wonderful things.
  • Assign partners or use clock partners
  • Have partnerships discuss the following question: How will you be a good communicator the rest of this week?

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Birthday Greeting

  • Form a circle. 
  • Students will take turns saying “Good morning (name), my birthday month is (month).  What is your birthday month? 
  • Continue around the circle until everyone is greeted.

Sharing

Partner Share
“What does kindness look and sound like?” 

Activity

Mix and Mingle

Materials: Paper, writing utensils, sentence starter, access to music that can be turned on and off easily 

  • On a card or half-sheet of paper, ask participants to write down a response to a prompt you give related to the topic at hand. (such as, “What did you do for fun yesterday?” or “What have you read or watched recently that you enjoyed?” or something connected to upcoming work like “What’s one thing you know already about [insert your content]?”) 
  • Optional: have students think about their answer instead of writing it down
  • When you announce, "Mix and mingle!" and turn on music, participants move around. 
  • When the music stops, participants find a partner near them. Help with pairing if needed.
  • Partners share their responses, listen actively to each other, and ask follow-up questions.
  • Start the music again and repeat the sequence with another partner or two, as your time permits.

Teacher Notes: 

  • Before beginning, use interactive modeling to demonstrate the Mix and Mingle activity.
  • Use reinforcing language for key communication skills you see. Examples might include: students facing one another, speaking at an appropriate noise level, greeting each other, asking questions related to the topic shared, etc.
  • Adaptations: Depending on class needs, consider generating sentence starters on paper and have students provide answers by using check marks, fill in the blank, circling a word using images.

Morning Message





 

Greetings Caring Class! 
Happy Friday! We have finished another great week of learning! We are a kind and respectful class. We will continue to learn to communicate with each other in kind ways.
Have a friendly Friday! 
Your Teacher

Closing Circle 

Mix and Mingle 
Use the Mix and Mingle structure that was learned during the Morning Meeting activity to have partners discuss the following question: What can you try next week to continue communicating kindly with others? 

Week 4: Relationship Building

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Each student writes a positive note or hello message on a piece of paper, crumbles it up, and then throws it across the room. Everyone opens one positive message. 

Teacher Note: consider giving students a signal to indicate they have already been greeted (i.e. crossing your arms)

Sharing

Students will share a book or cartoon character they like and why. Brainstorm some different characters with students and reasons why people might like them. Provide think time, and then model how students will share using this sentence: “A character I like is [blank] because [blank].” Give every student an opportunity to share. Remind students of the silent signal they learned on Day 1 to show that they connect with something another student is sharing.

Activity

Let students know that they’re going to do the pantomime activity again, but this time with an animal. Give them a minute to think of an animal and a simple movement they can do to represent that animal (for example, swinging both arms from side to side for an elephant). Ask for a student volunteer to begin and show their movement. Remind students to wait until the pantomime is finished before they raise their hand to guess. Allow for up to three guesses. Try several rounds. 

Morning Message

[Date]
Good Morning, Class!
This is our fourth week together as a class. We will continue building relationships and getting to know our classmates.
[Closing and signature]

Closing Circle

Reflect on three good things that happened today, as a class. 

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Hullabaloo

Post a chart with 3 columns and 5 rows:

  • Column 1:Ways to Move
    • Tiptoe
    • Skip
    • Walk like a zombie
    • Swim
  • Column 2: Ways to Greet
    • Link elbows
    • Handshake
    • Pinky shake
    • High five
  • Column 3: Topics to Share
    • Favorite dessert
    • How many kids in family
    • Favorite book
    • Favorite activities
  • Call out a direction from each category on the chart. For example, “Tiptoe, handshake, favorite book.”
  • Students tiptoe around the room to find a partner and greet them with a handshake. Partners then tell each other their favorite book.
  • Ring a bell to signal a new round. Call out three new directions. Students move, greet, and share in those designated ways.
  • Continue for three or four rounds. Students may greet one another from a distance if necessary due to social distancing protocols. 

Sharing

Around the Circle Share
“What are you looking forward to today?”

Activity

What’s New?

  • Ask participants to find a partner in a way that is appropriate for your group today. 
  • Say, "Think of something that is new with you that you want to share with your partner." Then give participants a moment to think of their news. 
  • Explain that each person will share their news while their partner fully listens silently, without comment or questions.
  • Tell participants that you will be keeping time and that you will let them know when it is time to switch roles.
  • Give pairs a moment to decide who will go first, ask the starting partners to raise their hands to make sure everyone is ready, then give the go-ahead to begin.
  • At the end of a minute or two, use your attention signal to bring the room to quiet and let participants know it is time to switch roles.

Morning Message

Good morning listeners, 
Think about how it feels to be listened to. We all have ideas and experiences to share with each other. When we listen to others, we show kindness and understanding. Sometimes we even learn something new! That is what makes us an amazing group of learners! 
Keep your ears and hearts open! 
Your teacher  

Closing Circle 

“What do you want to remember about today’s class?” 

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Day 2 of Hullabaloo

Post the same chart as yesterday or create the new one below:

  • Column 1:Ways to Move
    • Waddle
    • Hop
    • Walk like a movie star
    • Dance
  • Column 2: Ways to Greet
    • Food five
    • Wave
    • Bow
    • Air High Five
  • Column 3: Topics to Share
    • Favorite candy
    • Favorite season
    • Favorite game
    • Favorite TV Show
  • Call out a direction from each category on the chart. For example, “Tiptoe, handshake, favorite book.”
  • Students tiptoe around the room to find a partner and greet them with a handshake. Partners then tell each other their favorite book.
  • Ring a bell to signal a new round. Call out three new directions. Students move, greet, and share in those designated ways.
  • Continue for three or four rounds.

Sharing

Partner Share
“Share with a partner a time that you felt frustrated or upset. What did you do to feel better or less frustrated?” 

Activity

Grounding Exercise

  • SAY: “Today we will explore a mindful practice called a grounding exercise. Grounding exercises are simple activities to help you connect with the present moment. They are helpful in situations where you find yourself overwhelmed or need to focus. In this activity, we will explore our world using our five senses. We will use sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch – to reconnect our mind and body in the present. Our senses can help remind us we are calm and capable!”
  • With a partner name the following things:
    • 5 Things You See
    • 4 Things You Feel
    • 3 Things You Hear
    • 2 Things you Smell
    • 1 Thing you Taste
  • Optional: Teacher can record answers for the whole group.
  • Give the example, “I might use this before the start of the school day. I take a moment to focus on the day ahead.” 
  • Whole group discussion: When might be a good time during the school day to use your senses and be connected?

Morning Message

Good morning peaceful students! 
Today we will practice being mindful. We will use our five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch) to help us connect with the present and take charge of big feelings. Try using your five senses during class today to stay focused. When you connect with your mind and body, you can do anything!
Have a mindful day! 
Your Teacher

Closing Circle 

News Headline

  • Lower grades
    • Brainstorm or give students a list of words someone might use to describe their day
      • Examples might include: beautiful, nice, calm, long, happy, tiring, pleasant, hard, busy, fast, quiet, loud etc..
    • Have students share around the circle one word that describes their day
  •  Upper Grades
    • Explain to students that a news headline is descriptive, short and catchy to attract a reader. Some examples might be:  
      • Olympians Get Creative when Training!
      • At Just 17, Olympian Lydia Jacoby Wins Gold 
      • NYC is New Location for Bruce Springsteen Concert
    • What is a news headline you could use to describe today’s class? Give students a minute to think and then share around the circle
  • Optional: have students share and brainstorm with a partner first before going around the circle 

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Say Your Name

  • The whole class begins chanting the refrain: Say your name and when you do, we will say it back to you!
  • The first child then says his or her name aloud: Melanie!
  • In unison, the whole class repeats the name: Melanie!
  • The whole class chants the refrain again as the greeting continues around the circle.

Sharing

Partner Share
“What is something encouraging you can say to yourself if you feel uncomfortable (i.e., nervous, worried, etc.)?” 

Optional: give students a few examples, make a list of statements for students to see, and then have students choose one encouraging statement to share as you go around the circle. Examples might include:

  • I can do this!
  • I believe in myself.
  • I am strong.
  • I am a problem solver.
  • I can do hard things.

Activity

Brain Break

Materials needed: mindfulness bell, online tone, etc. 

  • Explain that our breath can be used to calm our bodies and steady our minds. 
  • Ask participants to bring awareness to their breathing when you sound a tone. It may be helpful for participants to place their hands on their bellies and notice the gentle rising and falling of their breath. 
  • Invite them to either close their eyes or to rest them by looking at a spot they choose across the room. Remind them there is no need to try to breathe in any special way, but to just notice how their own breathing is happening right then.
  • Gently sound a triangle or bell or verbally signify the end. 

Teacher note: Oftentimes our bodies can be present but our minds are elsewhere. Asking participants to focus on a simple action helps everyone become fully present.

Morning Message

Good morning mindful learners,
Taking a minute to focus on our breathing is a helpful tool. It gives us a chance to take a break, which can help us clear our minds when we feel uncomfortable. There are many other ways to take a break like listening to music, reading, or taking a short walk. How do you like to take a break? Draw or write an idea below:
Have a wonderful day! 
Your Teacher

Closing Circle

Mindful Minute and Partner Share

  • Complete another “Mindful Minute” as the students learned from the activity during Morning Meeting.
  • Share with a partner ways they can stay present and focused tomorrow.  

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Doing the Wave

  • Students stand with one arm extended toward the classmate on either side of them and with palms touching (or palms facing but not touching).
  • Turn to the student on your left and say, “Good morning, Sara.” Sara greets you back. You both then raise your arms in a wavelike motion.
  • Sara turns to the student on her left and they greet each other in the same way, with the same motions.
  • Continue in this way so that the wave makes its way around the circle.

Sharing

Partner or Around the Circle Share
“Feel Good Friday! Share something great that happened this week or something you are looking forward to this weekend!”

Activity

Positive Affirmation! 
SAY: Sometimes we all need a little reminder of our strengths especially during challenging times. We are going to create classroom reminders or positive affirmations to help focus positivity. 

  • Have each student complete the sentence “I am…” on a post it note, note card or other piece of paper. 
  • Allow students to think and reflect for 1-2 minutes as they think about a positive adjective. 
  • Optional: Share some examples such as, strong, calm, happy, kind, capable, confident, a good friend, smart, honest, helpful etc.
  • Students are encouraged to write, draw, or remember their word to share. Also, teachers are encouraged to provide a list of adjectives to help students if necessary.  
  • Have students share their “I am…” statements in small groups or whole group. 

Morning Message

Happy Friday positive class! 
We are Strong! This week we opened our minds and hearts to each other. Positive words can help us stay strong even when times are challenging!  We are a kind, wonderful, fantastic, and positive class! 
Stay Strong!
Your teacher 

Closing Circle

I am Connected

  • Stand up. 
  • Place both hands on your heart and then extend your arms out wide to your sides. Feel the stretch in your arms and back.
  • Repeat 5 times and on the last time, the whole class says, “I am connected!”

Week 5: Help-Seeking Behavior

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Good Morning Claps
Go around the circle, each student will say “Good Morning Class”. The class will respond with “Good Morning [blank].” and two claps. Then, move on to the next person in the circle. Interactive Model this with the class. Go around the circle until everyone has been greeted.

Teacher Note: consider giving students a signal to indicate they have already been greeted (i.e. crossing your arms)

Sharing

What are ways that we can be helpful to others?

Activity

What are some ways that we can help others?

Draw a picture and/or write a sentence about how you can help others. 

Morning Message

Good morning helpful [blank] graders!
Helping others is a kind thing to do. Asking for help can be hard sometimes though. Today, let’s practice helping others and asking for help!
Love,
Teacher’s Name

Closing Circle 

How were you helpful today? Who helped you today?

I was helpful by [blank]. 

[blank] helped me with [blank].

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Action Greeting

  • Have students think of actions they can do safely in their space, such as jumping, twirling, stomping, skipping, etc. 
  • Students pick one action for their greeting and give a thumbs up when they’re ready. Tell students it’s OK if someone picks the same action.
  • Begin by saying, “Good morning, I’m [blank]” while doing an action (for example, jogging in place). Students will respond with “Good morning, [blank]” while repeating your action. Continue around the circle until everyone is greeted. 

Sharing

Around the Circle Share

SAY: “This week we are focusing on ways to help ourselves and each other. Who is someone you like to ask for help when you need it?” 

Activity

Mental Vacation 

  • Invite students to close their eyes (optional). Tell students to imagine a vacation destination that they would like to visit. Give students a minute or two of quiet think time.
  • Encourage students to imagine the sights, sounds, and smells around them.  
  • If students' eyes are closed, ask them to open their eyes.
  • Call on a few volunteers to describe their vacation spot.
  • Follow up by discussing how visualizing relaxing images can help us stay calm and focused.  

Morning Message

Good morning helpers! 
This week we are focusing on helping each other. We are not only learning about when we should ask for help, but thinking about when we should help others. Pay attention to your peers today! If you see someone that looks like they may need help, offer! If someone offers to help you and you need it - try to let them! 
We are in this together!
Sincerely [Teacher]

Closing Circle 

Commonalities

  • The leader (you or a student) stands in the center of the circle.  Everyone else sits.
  • The leader says a statement about something positive that happened that day, such as “I learned something new today.”  
  • Everyone to whom that statement applies stands.
  • Before beginning, tell students to notice the similarities and differences between classmates.
  • Play a few rounds.

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Follow the Leader

  • Students say “Good Morning!  My name is [blank]” and then they do an action (jumping jacks, run in place, clap, etc) 
  • Everyone else must follow the leader and do the same action.
  • Continue around the circle until everyone gets a turn.

Teacher Note: This is a movement filled greeting. Use interactive modeling to set up your class for success. Expectations to consider sharing with the class might include: staying in their own space while moving or motions that everyone will be able to do. 

Sharing

Partner Share
“What are ways you can ask or show someone that you need help?”

Activity

When do I need help?

Materials: Paper and writing utensils (optional)

  • SAY, “Everyone needs help sometimes, even grown ups! Today we will identify things that we are good at, these might be skills that you can help others with. We will call them “Can Dos”.Then we are going to come up with things we might need help with from a friend, trusted adult, caregiver or teacher.”
  • Remind students to be respectful of others. SAY “It’s not always easy to recognize we may need help. As a class, we value all ideas.”
  • Create a class list or have students create individual lists. Example chart below: 
  • Ask student volunteers to share examples from each category.
  • Have students reflect and share experiences in the Can Do category. Ask, “How did the skills become Can Do skills? Did they need help? Who helped them?” 
  • Wrap up the activity. Say, “Tomorrow, we will look at our “I Need Help With” list and practice ways to ask for help. When we ask for help, we can become more confident in learning and trying new or challenging things!” 

 Teacher Note: The lists generated in this activity can be used to support activities on Thursday and Friday of this week. 

Morning Message

Good morning Helpful Students! 
We have many talents in this class.  There are many skills that we CAN DO! There are also many more things to learn. There may be a time when we need help in order to learn that new skill. Recognizing that we might need help is an important part of learning! 
Ask for help if you need it! 
Your Teacher

Closing Circle

Circle of Hands 

  • Students stand with their right arm extended toward the middle of the circle. Their left arm stays down by their side. Make a fist with their right hand, palm side down, and extend their thumb. They put their thumb inside the fist of the person to their left, creating a large, tight circle.  
  • The class does a quick cheer, such as “Go team” while raising all arms up in the air and then breaking apart.  
  • Variations: 
    • Different cheers: Wow! Yay, friends! Good night! Peace out!
    • Social Distancing: Make the circle without actually touching each other’s hands 

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Closed Eye Greeting

  • Students sit in a circle with their eyes closed.
  • The teacher counts 1, 2, 3, open! When the students open their eyes, they try to make eye contact with someone across the circle. When they make eye contact, they get up to greet that person. 
  • Students return to their spot in the circle
  • Repeat, finding a new person to greet. 

Teacher Note: Consider sharing expectations with the class (i.e. “once you make eye contact with someone, greet them, even if it is not your best friend. If you notice a student has not been greeted, try to include them in the next round.”)

Sharing

Partner Share
“Share a time when you helped someone like, a friend, family member, teacher, or teammate.”

Activity

Asking For Help 

Materials: Display a list of steps, digitally or written. 

  • SAY: “Yesterday we created a list of skills that we can do and those we might need help with. Now that we can recognize that we might need help, we will learn how to ask for help.”  
  • Review the steps for asking for help. 
  1. Look at the person. 
  2. Ask the person if he or she has time to help you. 
  3. Clearly explain the kind of help that you need. 
  4. Thank the person for helping. 
  • Model how to ask for help with a student volunteer.
  • In groups of 2-4, students will practice asking for help. 
  • After the students have practiced, ask students to discuss ways they might ask an adult vs. how they might ask a friend for help (i.e., when to ask - during instruction or during a break, tone of voice, etc.) 

Morning Message

Good morning class, 
Today we reviewed how to ask for help.  Asking for help is a great way to learn more, hear directions again, and get support when something is challenging!  Remember to use these steps when asking for help.  We can ask each other for help as we grow and learn. 
We are helpful learners! 
Your Teacher

Closing Circle 

Farewell Snake

  • Student 1 steps inside the circle, turns to student 2 on their left, and says goodbye to them. 
  • Student 1 continues walking around the circle saying goodbye to each classmate. 
  • Student 2 follows behind student 1, also saying goodbye to each classmate.  
  • The inside line grows as each student follows by joining the end of the line and saying goodbye to everyone in the circle.
  • Students line up to leave the classroom or return to their original spot (tell them in advance)

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Ball Toss Greeting 

Materials: A ball suitable for tossing (stress ball, foam ball, etc.)

  • Have students form a circle in the front of the room.  
  • The teacher starts with the ball in hand and says, “Good morning, (name).” Then tosses the ball to that person. When the ball is caught, the person responds “Good morning, (name of person throwing).” Then greets another peer, “Good morning (name) and throws the ball. Continue until all peers have been greeted.  
  • Before beginning, use interactive modeling to show how to throw the ball underhand and gently to a classmate.
  • If social distancing protocols do not allow material sharing, invite students to share a special hand signal in order to select them to go next. 

Teacher Note: consider giving students a signal to indicate they have already been greeted (i.e. crossing your arms)

Sharing

Around the Circle Share
“Share a way in which you can be a helper at school. Think of ways you can help others (i.e., pick up trash even if it’s not yours, wipe down a table in the lunchroom, etc.)”

Activity

Asking For Help Check In 

Materials needed: Painters tape or signs to designate three areas.

  • With blue painters tape, make three big lines on the floor. Label them “I’m Confused”, “I’m okay” and “I am rocking!” (Or post signs in 3 areas around the room)
  • SAY: “This week we have learned more about asking for help. We have learned to recognize areas in which we might need help, who to ask for help, and ways to ask for help. Sometimes asking for help can be easy while other times it can be hard. Remember it's ok! We can help each other when we get stuck! Let's reflect on our  week.”
  • Invite students to form a human bar graph by standing on the line (or standing near each sign) that best represents their current level of understanding after each statement is read:
    • I know how to ask for help.
    • I know how to recognize when I need help.
    • I can recognize a good time to ask for help.
    • I can ask my friends for help.
    • I can ask trusted adults for help.
    • I know how to help others. 

Teacher Note: Use interactive modeling to show how to safely walk around the classroom when students are moving in different directions. Consider also modeling how to say “excuse me.”

Morning Message

Greetings Learners! 
What a helpful week we have had! We have learned to identify when we need help, how to ask for help, and how we can help others. As we head into the weekend, how can you help others this weekend at home or in the community? Write or draw an idea below:
Happy Friday! 
Your Teacher


Closing Circle

The Weekend is Near (call and response)

Group: Hello [name of child being greeted]!
The weekend is near [Group waves while chanting]
What are you gonna do [Group points to the person being greeted]
When it really gets here? [Group points down at the floor]

Child being greeted: I’m gonna [action] [action] [action] (Child names and pantomimes one action three times)

Group: He’s gonna [action] [action] [action] (Group repeats and pantomimes same action three times)

Week 6: Help-Seeking Behavior

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Good Morning Greeters
Go around the circle, each student will say “Good Morning Class”. The class will respond with “Good Morning [blank]. We’re glad you’re here!” Then, move on to the next person in the circle. Interactive Model this with the class. Go around the circle until everyone has been greeted.

Teacher Note: consider giving students a signal to indicate they have already been greeted (i.e. crossing your arms)

Sharing

Partner Share
When you’re feeling silly, sad, or upset and need to take a break, what kind of break helps you?

Activity

Mindful Breathing
There are animal breathing videos in GoNoodle. Choose 2-3 mindful breathing animal videos to practice as a class.

Morning Message

Good morning class!
Today is [blank]. Sometimes, when we are feeling sad, upset, annoyed, or silly, we can take a moment for mindful breathing. Which animal breathe did you like the most?
Love,
Your Teacher

Closing Circle 

Practice an animal breathe from Morning Meeting. When it is over, have the class say “Goodbye class!” on the count of 3. 

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Ball Toss Greeting day 2
Materials: A ball suitable for tossing (stress ball, foam ball, etc.) 

  • Follow the Ball Toss Greeting instructions from last week
  • Optional Variation: After all students have been greeted, tell students to remember who they threw it to and who threw the ball to them. 
  • Time students to see how fast they can toss the ball around the circle.
  • Repeat to see if students can beat their time.
  • Remind students of your expectations of throwing the ball underhand and gently.

Teacher Note: For the variation, ask students how they can be respectful if someone drops the ball? Share some ideas if they have not already been said (i.e. saying “good try” or “that's okay!”)

Sharing

Partner Share
“Share a time when you had to keep trying, or persevere, when learning something new.  Examples might be learning to ride a bike, tying shoes, learning to play an instrument, playing a sport, etc.”

Activity

One, Two, Three Clap
Place students in groups of 2. The same partners face each other during each of the three rounds.  

Round 1: 

  • With your partner, count to three over and over again, with each partner saying the next number in the sequence. (Model slowly with a partner.)
  • After one or two minutes, give the quiet signal. 
  • Follow Up: When you were playing, how many of you made a mistake? What did you do when you made a mistake?" (Common answers: “Laughed” or "Said sorry" or “Pulled back.”)
  • SAY: These are all ways that people give cues to the group that say, "I've got this. I'll laugh at myself or apologize as my way of handling making a mistake." 

Round 2: 

  • Explain that for this round, pairs should replace the number “1” with a clap and then continue the number sequence “2-3" counted out loud (Clap-2-3, Clap-2-3, etc.). 
  • Model slowly with a partner. During the modeling purposefully make a mistake, such as saying “1” instead of clapping after “3.” Raise your hands in the air and say, "Tah-dah!" 
  • Once everyone has had a minute or two to play, use your quiet signal to call the round to a close. SAY, "How did it feel to make a mistake?" Allow students to share. SAY “We all make mistakes from time to time. It is important to persevere and keep trying when we do!”

Additional Rounds (If desired)

Round 3: 

  • Explain that in this round, participants should clap for “1,” replace the number “2” with a foot stomp, and say “3.” (Clap, stomp, 3; Clap, stomp, 3; etc.). 
  • Model this with a partner and purposefully make a mistake, such as saying “2” instead of stomping. You and your partner now give each other double high-fives and shout, “Tah-dah!” together, and start over again. 
  • Once everyone has had a minute or two to play, call the round to a close with your quiet signal. 

Morning Message

Good morning class! 
The word of the day is perseverance!  We will face many challenges this year. Sometimes we may need encouragement to stay focused and do our best. Remember, we can help each other and encourage each other! 
You’ve got this! 
Your teacher

Closing Circle

 

Words of Encouragement

 
  • SAY: “Our class encourages each other every day.  What are some kind words you can say to someone to help them work through a challenge?”
  • Elicit a few responses (i.e. keep it up, nice work so far, you’ve got this!)
  • SAY: “As we go around the circle, say something encouraging to each other either from the examples we discussed or a new one.”
  • Continue around the circle until everyone has had a chance to participate. 

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Say Your Name

  • The whole class begins chanting the refrain: Say your name and when you do, we will say it back to you!
  • The first child then says his or her name aloud: Melanie!
  • In unison, the whole class repeats the name: Melanie!
  • The whole class chants the refrain again as the greeting continues around the circle.

Sharing

Partner Share
“Share with a partner a time you encouraged someone or someone encouraged you. Describe how you felt.”

Teacher Note: As partners chat, reinforce key listening skills that you notice.

Activity

Quote

  • Put students into groups of 2-4 
  • Write down the quote below for students to see and read it aloud
  • Ask students to think about what this quote means to them.
    “IT ALWAYS SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL IT’S DONE.”
    - Nelson Mandela
  • Allow groups a few minutes to discuss ideas.  
  • Call on volunteers to share their understanding. 

Morning Message

Good morning preserving students! 
Sometimes things that are difficult take time to practice before succeeding. While you might not be able to do a skill YET, one day soon, you WILL! 
Let’s encourage each other today! 
Your Teacher 

Closing Circle

Around the Circle Share
“Take turns saying something that you appreciated about today.”

Morning Meeting

Category Directions

Greeting

Compliment Greeting

  • Students greet the student next to them and give them a compliment. 
  • Before beginning, tell students that a compliment should be all about what someone does (vs. how they look or what they wear).
  • Brainstorm a list of possible compliments. Examples might include: you are a hard worker, you always help clean up and take care of our materials, you are a good friend, you help others when they need it, you are a good listener etc.
  • If students can’t think of one, help them choose a compliment from the brainstormed list.

Teacher note: Connecting compliments to how a student followed your classroom rules, might help teach how to give a compliment that is not based on their appearance. 

Sharing

Around the Circle Share
“Share a song that motivates you or gives you energy.”

Activity

What Makes You Happy? 

  • SAY: “Focusing on people, things, places, or activities that make us happy, can help us get through challenges.”
  • Create a class list or have small groups create their own list of 10 things that make them happy. 
  • Examples could be: best friend, your pet, a favorite food, playing a sport, drawing, dancing, listening to music. 

Morning Message

Good morning kind students! 
Today is thoughtful Thursday. This week you have shown kindness and encouragement to each other. Together we are a great team. 
Keep it up!  
Your Teacher

Closing Circle

One-Word Whip Around
“Share one word that sums up your learning for today.”