10+ Creative Morning Meeting Activity Ideas for Building Community
Introduction to Morning Meeting Activities
Starting the day off with a positive and engaging morning meeting is a great way to build a sense of community within the classroom. Morning meetings provide an opportunity for students to connect with one another, share their thoughts and feelings, and set the tone for the rest of the day.
In this article, we will explore the importance of building a classroom community and share some creative morning meeting activity ideas that will help foster a positive and inclusive learning environment.
What is a Morning Meeting?
A morning meeting is a structured time at the beginning of the school day where students and teachers come together to greet one another, share updates or announcements, and engage in various activities.
These meetings typically include a greeting, a sharing component, a group activity, and a closing message. Morning meetings can be adapted to fit the specific needs and dynamics of each classroom.
Importance of Building Classroom Community
Building a strong classroom community is vital for creating a positive and supportive learning environment.
When students feel connected to their peers and teachers, they are more likely to actively participate in class, take on challenges outside their comfort zone, and feel a sense of belonging.
Additionally, a strong classroom community promotes social-emotional development, empathy, and cooperation among students.
10+ Morning Meeting Activity Ideas
Activity Idea 1: Positive Affirmations for Students
Affirmations for students can have a positive effect on their self-esteem and confidence. By regularly reminding themselves of their worth and potential, children develop a positive self-image, which in turn can help to boost their self-confidence.
Below is a short video we created focusing on the affirmation: I Will Do My Best Today. You can also download the free coloring sheet for your class to work on as they listen.
Activity Idea 2: SEL Morning Meeting Questions
One of the most effective morning meeting activities is to focus on social-emotional learning (SEL). Start the day by presenting a prompt or question that encourages students to reflect on their emotions or experiences.
For example, you can have each student choose one thing they are looking forward to or share one word that describes how they are feeling today. Some teachers choose to write the question on the white board as a morning message for their class to think and write about before discussing as a large group.
This activity helps students to develop self-awareness, empathy, and friendship skills.
Here are some social-emotional skills prompts:
- How can you show respect to someone if you don’t agree with them?
- How do you get along with others when they have different likes and dislikes than you?
- What does it mean to be an active listener?
- Why is it important to apologize when we do something wrong?
- When should we ask for help if we need it?
- What are your strengths?
- How can we manage conflict in a respectful way?
- What is one emotion you had yesterday and what made you feel that way?
- How can you help support your classmates when they are feeling down?
- How do our actions and words affect other people?
Activity Idea 3: Would You Rather
Would you rather is a popular game that can be adapted for morning meetings. In this activity, give students two choices and ask them to explain their reasoning. For example, you can ask, “Would you rather have super strength or the ability to fly? Why?”
This activity not only engages students in critical thinking but also promotes listening and respectful communication among peers.
10 Examples of “Would You Rather” Questions for Kids
1. Would you rather have the ability to fly like a bird or breathe underwater like a fish?
2. Would you rather have super strength or the ability to turn invisible?
3. Would you rather have a pet unicorn or a pet dragon?
4. Would you rather be able to speak and understand all animal languages or speak and understand every human language?
5. Would you rather be able to teleport anywhere in the world or have the power to heal any illness or injury?
6. Would you rather live in a treehouse or in a castle?
7. Would you rather have the ability to pause time or rewind time?
8. Would you rather be able to control the weather or control all the animals?
9. Would you rather have a never-ending supply of ice cream or chocolate?
10. Would you rather always have to wear clothes one size too small or always have to wear clothes one size too big?
Activity Idea 4: Collaborative Art Project
Art is a powerful tool for self-expression and creativity, and incorporating it into morning meetings can help foster a sense of belonging and creativity in your classroom. Choose a collaborative art project that students can work on together, such as a mural or a class-wide art piece.
Encourage students to share their ideas and contribute to the overall design. Provide each student with a small piece of a larger picture or puzzle and ask them to draw or color it. Once all the pieces are completed, put them together to reveal the final artwork. This activity promotes teamwork and celebrates each student’s unique talents and perspectives.
Activity Idea 5: Gratitude Circle
End your morning meeting on a positive note by creating a gratitude circle. Students take turns expressing something they are grateful for, creating a chain of gratitude and appreciation. This activity fosters a sense of gratitude, empathy, and unity among students.
Activity Idea 6: Rainbow Moments
In this activity, students take turns sharing positive moments or experiences they have had recently. Provide a whiteboard or chart paper divided into different colors of the rainbow. Each student can write or draw their rainbow moment under the corresponding color. This activity promotes gratitude, positivity, and helps students focus on the good in their lives.
Activity Idea 7: Mix and Mingle
Create a mix and mingle activity where students have the opportunity to interact with their classmates in a structured way. For example, you can assign each student a partner and provide them with a topic or question to discuss. After a designated time, students switch partners and repeat the process. This activity encourages communication, relationship-building, and strengthens the classroom community.
1. What is your favorite subject in school and why?
2. What is the coolest thing you’ve ever done or seen?
3. If you could be any animal, which one would you choose and why?
4. What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends?
5. What is your favorite book and why?
6. Do you have any pets? If not, what is your dream pet?
7. What is your favorite type of music and why? (What is your favorite song and why?)
8. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
9. What is your favorite hobby or activity outside of school?
10. What is the funniest joke or riddle you’ve ever heard?
Morning Meeting Games
In addition to the activities mentioned above, incorporating games into your morning meetings can add an element of excitement and friendly competition. Below are some game ideas that can be easily adapted and enjoyed by your students:
Activity Idea 8: Common Thread
Form small groups of students and give each group a ball of yarn. One student starts by holding the end of the yarn and sharing something about themselves. They then pass the ball of yarn to another student who shares something related to the previous student’s share while holding onto the yarn.
This continues until all students have participated, creating a web of connections within the group. This game helps students learn more about each other and strengthens their bonds.
Activity Idea 9: Group Juggle
In this game, students stand in a circle and pass a soft object, like a ball or a beanbag, from one person to another. The challenge is to pass the object around the circle as quickly as possible without dropping it. As students become more proficient, more objects can be added to increase the difficulty level.
This game promotes coordination, concentration, and teamwork.
Activity Idea 10: Simon Says
A classic game of Simon Says can be a fun and interactive morning meeting activity. This game usually works best if run by the teacher for younger ages but older grades could have students take turns leading the activity.
This activity helps students develop listening skills, improve focus, and enhance their ability to follow directions.
Activity Idea 11: Hula-Hoop Pass
Create a standing circle with your students and place a hula-hoop on one student’s arm. The objective is to pass the hula-hoop around the circle without letting go of each other’s hands. Students must work together and communicate effectively to complete the task. This game promotes teamwork, coordination, and trust.
Activity Idea 12: Classroom Scavenger Hunt
Turn your morning meeting into an engaging scavenger hunt activity. Create a list of items or clues related to the classroom, and have students work together in small groups to find them. This activity encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and teamwork while exploring the classroom environment.
Here is a sample list:
1. Pencil
2. Eraser
3. Ruler
4. Glue stick
5. Crayons
6. Scissors
7. Calculator
8. Whiteboard marker
9. Stapler
10. Map
11. Book
12. Desk
13. Chair
14. Clock
15. Calendar
16. Whiteboard
17. Paperclip
18. Glitter
Activity Idea 13: Categories
Choose a category, such as animals, countries, or foods, and have students take turns naming items that fit into that category (list of ideas below in 5- Minute Faceoff). The goal is to continue the list without repeating items or hesitating for too long. This game encourages quick thinking, vocabulary building, and friendly competition.
Activity Idea 14: 5-Minute Faceoff
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs. Each pair will need a pencil to write.
2. Set a timer for 5 minutes.
4. Explain that in this game, each pair works together naming as many items as they can in the given categories.
6. Hand out the list of categories
7. Pairs work together to list 10 items in as many categories as possible until the timer runs out. Here are some category ideas:
- Colors
- Animals
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Toys
- Months of the Year
- Modes of Transportation
- Occupations/Jobs
- Food
- Body Parts
- Musical Instruments
- Feelings/Emotions
- States
- Countries
- School Supplies
- Books
- Movies
8. After 5 minutes, call time and have each pair share how many categories they were able to complete.
Variation: Instead of dividing the class into pairs, you can also play this game as a whole class activity, with students taking turns saying words.
Additional Morning Meeting Resources
Here is another positive affirmation for kids with the coloring sheet below. You can also check out our post on mindfulness coloring pages as well to find more printable affirmations.
Final Thoughts About Classroom Morning Meetings
Morning meetings provide an opportunity for students to connect with each other and build a positive classroom community. You can tailor the activities and content of the meeting to meet your students’ needs.
By doing so, students are more likely to engage and actively participate in the meeting, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in the classroom community. We hope we have given you some helpful ideas for creating a positive and inclusive classroom environment.
About the Author
Dane Furfaro is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and has worked with children in schools for over 10 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Concordia College and a master’s degree in Educational Psychology with a specialization in counseling from the University of Minnesota. He has been fortunate to empower many students and families in their journeys to create better futures for themselves.
