By Elena Jaime
Director of Lower School
As teachers in Early Learning – grade 5 establish routines in their classrooms during the first six crucial weeks of school, they will focus on a daily ritual called Morning Meeting.
Morning Meeting is more than just a meet-and-greet; it’s a cornerstone of The Children’s School’s approach to fostering a positive and successful learning environment. This practice is part of a wider philosophy called Responsive Classroom, developed by the Northeast Foundation for Children (NEFC).
Responsive Classroom: Social-Emotional Learning for Academic Success
Responsive Classroom is an evidence-based approach that emphasizes the interconnectedness of social-emotional learning and academic achievement. As Roxann Kriete explains in “The Morning Meeting Book”:
“Teachers have long known and researchers are now confirming that social skills are not just something to be taught so that children behave well enough to get on with the real business of schooling. Rather, they are inextricably intertwined with cognitive growth and intellectual progress. A person who can listen well, who can frame a good question, and has the assertiveness to pose it, who can examine a situation from a number of perspectives will be a strong learner. All those skills-skills essential to academic achievement- must be modeled, experienced, practiced, extended, and refined in the context of social interaction. Morning Meeting is a forum in which all that happens. It is not an add-on, something extra to make time for, but rather an integral part of the day’s planning and curriculum.”
In other words, strong social skills like active listening and clear communication are essential building blocks for academic success.
Setting the Stage for Learning with Morning Meeting
Morning Meeting sets the tone for the day by:
- Building a sense of belonging: Students greet each other, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.
- Sharing and connecting: They share personal experiences and news, fostering empathy and understanding.
- Engaging in collaborative activities: These activities, linked to curriculum content, promote teamwork and social problem-solving.
- Developing literacy skills: Reading and discussing the daily message strengthens critical thinking and language development.
By participating in Morning Meeting, students learn that their voices matter, their ideas contribute to the classroom community, and collaboration is just as important as what they learn in each lesson.
During Back to School Night, you’ll have a chance to delve deeper into how Morning Meeting unfolds in your child’s specific class. In the meantime, when you check in with your child about their day, talk to them about these important moments in their classroom routine by asking: “What was today’s morning message?” or “What was the daily warm-up activity?”
