Students learn best when their classrooms are places where they feel safe, challenged and joyful ~ places that free them to learn.
~ Responsive Classroom
Starting the first day of school and continuing throughout the year we hold a morning meeting in our classroom. We gather in a circle to greet one another and share interests, thoughts, books, strengths, difficulties, concerns, and successes, so we can get to know each other better as people and learners. I often read a picture book with a message about Mill Pond Key Values, diversity, or a content topic. The story leads to great conversations and sometimes a playful activity to gain skills, self-confidence and trust in one another. The meeting ends with a quick "hands-in chant" to show our unity as a classroom.
Our morning routine builds a structure into the day that encourages and supports speaking and listening skills, academic review, and enforces respect and kindness so that all students have a sense of belonging and significance mixed with some fun.
Below is a list of picture books we have read during Morning Meeting, so far this year, to build a classroom community of respect.
The Colors of Us By Karen Katz
Ask Me By Antje Damm
We Are Different By Todd Parr
The Feelings Book By ToddParr
The OK Book By Amy Krause Rosenthal
No David By David Shannon
The Dot By Peter H. Reynolds
A Leaf Can Be... By Laura Purdie Salas
Whoever You Are By Mem Fox
Be sure to ask your child to share with you about our Morning Meetings.