Morning Meeting Questions Your Students Will Love

Morning Meeting Questions to Get Your Day Started Right

Another morning, another fresh opportunity to mold young minds and hearts, right?

Today, let’s talk about a key part of our school day that deserves more spotlight – our morning meetings.

These are not just regular meetings, but special events that set the tone for the rest of the day and play a vital role in building our classroom community. They provide a platform where every student can feel seen, heard, and valued. So grab your favorite morning beverage, and let’s dive into the magic of morning meetings!

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The Power of Morning Meetings

So, what makes morning meetings so crucial in our elementary classrooms?

These meetings provide more than just a rundown of the day’s schedule or a quick check-in. They are a cornerstone of our school day, a structured yet warm environment where deeper conversations can bloom.

Morning meetings give our students a sense of belonging.

They’re an opportunity for us, as teachers, to establish a positive atmosphere and let every student know that they’re a valuable part of our classroom community.

Think about it: what better way to start the school day than with a sense of fun, togetherness, and mutual respect among friends?

Additionally, morning meetings provide an excellent opportunity to practice and develop communication skills.

We’ve all seen it – those lightbulb moments when a student expresses an idea clearly, or when another student listens attentively and provides a thoughtful response.

These are not just conversation skills, but life skills that they’re learning.

So, whether it’s discussing the school rule of the day or sharing our favorite food, morning meetings create a safe space for students to express themselves and learn about each other. In the next sections, we’ll delve into some practical ideas and questions to bring your morning meetings to life.

Morning Meeting Question Ideas

The morning meeting question is a cornerstone of our gatherings, sparking lively discussions and revealing more about our students. But coming up with fresh, engaging questions can be a challenge.

To promote group work and cooperation, try asking them morning meeting questions like, “What’s one school rule you’d create to make our classroom better?” or “How would our class survive a zombie apocalypse?” These fun morning meeting questions get our students thinking creatively and collaborating.

Fear not, as I’ve got a few ideas to help you out.

Here are a few more questions that promote classroom community:

“If you could change one thing about our school, what would it be and why?”
“Imagine our classroom is a spaceship. What roles would each of us play to ensure we reach our destination safely?”
“If we were stranded on a deserted island as a class, what skills would each of us bring to survive?”
“If you could invent a new subject that would be taught in school, what would it be and why?”
“Our classroom has been selected for a special mission to meet aliens. What message would we want to send to them about our class, school, or Earth?”
“What’s one thing we could all do as a class to make our school a better place?”
“If we were to create a class mascot, what would it be and why?”
“What’s one rule you’d create for our classroom to make group work more effective?”
“Imagine our class was a band. What instrument would each person play and why?”
“If we had the power to solve one world problem as a class, what would it be and how would we approach it?”
“Our classroom has been transformed into a castle. What roles would each of us take on in our castle community?”
“If our class was tasked with running a small business, what kind of business would we run, and what role would each person have?”

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For more personal insights, ask questions like, “What’s your proudest moment?” or “What’s your hidden talent?” These encourage students to share their experiences and passions, building deeper connections within the class.

Here are a few more questions that help kids share a bit of themselves:

“What’s one goal you want to achieve by the end of this school year?”
“If you could spend a day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?”
“What’s your favorite family tradition and why does it mean so much to you?”
“What’s a challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?”
“What’s a book or movie that has deeply influenced you, and why?”
“If you could be any character in a book or movie, who would you be and why?”
“What’s your favorite hobby outside of school, and what do you enjoy most about it?”
“What’s a random act of kindness you’ve received or done for someone else?”
“If you had one wish, what would you wish for and why?”
“What’s one thing you’d like to learn more about and why?”
“If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?”
“What’s one thing about you that most people in this class might not know?”

And remember, follow-up comments are essential!

They show students that we’re listening and interested in their thoughts.

So, whether the answer is “French fries” for a favorite food or a detailed plan for the zombie apocalypse, always acknowledge and encourage their responses.

My personal favorite is a throwback to the Backstreet Boys. I start singing, “Tell Me Why!” It always gets giggles as well as students to explain their thoughts more.

Asking students to “Tell Me Why” is a great skill to help with paragraph writing! This resource is amazing to push that concept even further. Click here to learn more!

More Morning Meeting Ideas: Topics & Activities

There are plenty of great morning meeting questions and ideas to explore. We’re aiming to make these gatherings fun, engaging, and, most importantly, meaningful.

A classic idea is the “share time,” where students can talk about their weekend, share their favorite book, or discuss a current event. This not only helps students practice their communication skills but also fosters a sense of community as they learn about their peers’ lives.

Here are a few more share time starters:

“Tell us about a time when you felt really proud of yourself.”
“Share about a special event or family tradition.”
“Describe your favorite holiday and why you love it.”
“Tell us about a book you’re currently reading and why you would/wouldn’t recommend it.”
“Share something you learned outside of school this week.”
“Talk about a hobby or activity you enjoy doing in your free time.”
“Share about your favorite movie or TV show and why you like it.”
“Talk about a place you would love to visit and why.”
“Tell us about a person who inspires you and why.”
“Share about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it.”
“Talk about your favorite family meal or a recipe you love.”
“Share an interesting current event you read or heard about this week.”
“Tell us about a goal you have for this school year.”
“Share a funny or memorable moment from your week.”
“Talk about something you are looking forward to.”
“Share about your favorite animal and why you like it.”

For special events or holidays, consider themed meetings.

These can revolve around Halloween, Thanksgiving, or even a student’s birthday. They offer a break from the usual routine and bring an extra layer of fun to your morning meetings.

Moreover, consider “Would You Rather” questions for lively debates. For example, “Would you rather read minds or would you rather be invisible?” These questions often lead to interesting discussions and offer a fun way to kickstart the day.

Remember, the goal here is to build relationships and create a safe, supportive space where students can express themselves.

So, tailor these ideas to suit your students, and don’t be afraid to get creative!

Using Morning Meetings to Build Classroom Community

A classroom is more than a space where students learn academic subjects; it’s where they build relationships, develop social-emotional skills, and grow as individuals.

Morning meetings provide a wonderful platform for this.

Through sharing, listening, and engaging in group discussions, students learn to respect and appreciate their peers’ perspectives.

A question as simple as “What’s your favorite smell?” or “What’s your one food or your least favorite food?” can lead to enlightening conversations about cultural backgrounds, personal preferences, and individual experiences.

Here are a few more questions like this:

“What’s your favorite season and why?”
“What’s a talent or skill you wish you had?”
“What’s a place you’ve never been but would love to visit?”
“What’s your favorite childhood memory?”
“If you could be any animal, which would you choose and why?”

“What’s one thing you’d like to learn more about?”
“What’s your favorite type of music or song?”
“If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead, who would it be and why?”
“What’s a book you couldn’t put down?”

More serious questions like “Can money buy happiness?” or “What do you want to achieve this school year?” invite deeper conversations, teaching students to think critically and empathetically.

Here are some more morning meeting questions like this:

“If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and why?”
“What does it mean to be a good friend?”
“If you had a million dollars to donate to any cause, which would it be and why?”
“What is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?”
“If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it for good?”
“What is something you worry about and what could help you worry less about it?”
“What does ‘success’ mean to you?”
“What is a challenge you’re facing right now, and how are you dealing with it?”
“What’s one thing you hope to accomplish before the end of the school year?”

Through these meetings, we also foster a sense of belonging.

Every student and teacher should feel safe and valued!

The morning meeting is a space where we consistently reinforce this.

By creating an environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, fears, and hopes, we build a stronger, more inclusive classroom community.

Use these slides to create an incredible morning meeting with low prep!

The Morning Meeting Message and Follow-Up

The morning message is an essential part of the meeting. It sets the tone for the day and gives students an overview of what to expect.

The message could include a review of the previous day’s lessons, an introduction to new topics, or reminders about upcoming events.

Remember, the morning meeting doesn’t end when the meeting does. Follow-up comments and discussions throughout the day can reinforce the ideas shared during the meeting. Whether it’s referencing a student’s “best gift ever” during a lesson on descriptive writing, or revisiting the debate on whether “french fries or ice cream” is the superior food during lunchtime, these follow-ups remind students that their voices are heard and valued.

Conclusion: The Power of Morning Meetings

Morning meeting is more than just a time to review the school day or discuss class topics – it’s a chance to create a close-knit community, help students build communication skills, and make your students feel safe and valued.

Remember, the power of morning meetings lies in the quality of the questions you ask and how you foster a culture of sharing. These meetings offer a unique opportunity to build relationships, promote empathy, and encourage thoughtful, respectful conversation. They allow you to learn more about your students and for them to learn more about each other all year, from fall to summer morning meetings.

Whether you’re asking about their proudest moment or their favorite book, or sparking a debate about whether money can buy happiness, each question can lead to a deeper understanding and stronger classroom community.

So as you plan your morning meetings, remember: your questions have power – use them wisely!

Remember, teaching is a journey, and we’re all on this path together. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if there’s anything else you’d like to learn about. Here’s to a successful school year filled with meaningful morning meetings!