Kapusta's Morning Meeting

Morning Meetings In
 Mrs. Kapusta’s 5th Grade Class

     Morning Meetings can take on a different look in each classroom.  Yet, the purpose remains the same.  Morning Meetings are daily opportunities (usually lasting about 20 minutes) to set the tone for respectful learning; establish a climate of trust; motivate students to feel significant; create empathy and encourage collaboration; and support social, emotional, and academic learning (Responsive Classroom, Aug 12, 2015).  This edition of the PBIS/SEL blog highlights Morning Meetings in Mrs. Kapusta’s 5th grade class.  

(Powerpoint Presentation)

     In a recent interview with Mrs. Kapusta, she reported that Morning Meetings have been instrumental in creating a compassionate culture in her class.  She said, “fifth graders can be unkind to each other, and I think the kindness level in my class has improved over past years due to getting to know each other better during Morning Meeting. The students are more encouraging and tolerant of each other.”  For teachers who feel that Morning Meetings take away from their instructional time, Mrs. Kapusta incorporates core instruction into her Morning Meetings. “Probably, twice a week for our activity, I pull in math or science activities to enhance what we are discussing in class.  I usually let them work with a teammate.  For example, solve a word problem, how many equations can you make to equal 120, or unscramble science vocabulary words.” 

     Teachers are encouraged to tweak Morning Meetings to fit their students and routine.  Mrs. Kapusta said, “I found that it was easier for me, as well as the students to have consistency in the Morning Meeting.  For example, every Tuesday is "Tell Me Something Tuesday."  The students know what is coming up the next day, so they are ready to share.”

Finally, what do Mrs. Kapusta’s 5th Grade students have to say about Morning Meetings?
 (student responses)

•  "I think it helps a lot because it tells us what we are doing for the day and gives us fun activity before we learn."
• "It helps us to get to know each other. It makes you worry about other people's feelings."
• "It gives you time to wake up before we have to do math."
• "It lets you interact with people in your class."
• "You can share what you are thinking.  If someone has done something or gone to a place before, I can ask them about it if I want to go."
• "To help people know about other people, so they can be friends."

     As supported by research, Morning Meetings help to create a safe space where learning can take place.  If you need help in implementing, sustaining, or reviving your Morning Meetings, please reach to other teachers, like Mrs. Kapusta, throughout our school who are demonstrating success with Morning Meetings or contact our Teaching-Learning Coach, Kirsten Parker.