A Fun & Engaging Morning Meeting Idea That Your Students Will Love
Are you looking for a simple yet engaging morning meeting idea that includes a greeting, sharing activity, and fun group challenge—all without the cringe factor? If so, I’ve got the perfect plan for you!
This morning meeting structure is designed to boost classroom community, encourage creativity, and get students excited about participating. Let’s dive into the details of each component:
Greeting: A dramatic “Air 5”
Sharing Activity: Imagine Monday
Activity: Shrinking Boat
These activities are easy to implement, require little to no prep, and can be used with upper elementary and middle school students. Let’s break it down step by step!
Step 1: The Greeting – Dramatic “Air 5”
The morning greeting sets the tone for the day, and this one is both fun and interactive without being overwhelming.
How It Works:
✔ Students greet each other using a dramatic “Air 5” (an exaggerated high-five without touching).
✔ Encourage students to be as creative and over-the-top as possible—think slow motion, sound effects, or silly movements.
✔ This allows students to engage in a fun, low-pressure interaction while still respecting personal space.
Why It Works:
✔ Students start the day in a positive mood with laughter and movement.
✔ It provides a structured but low-risk way to interact with peers.
✔ Works great for students who may be shy or hesitant to participate in verbal greetings.
Step 2: The Sharing Activity – Imagine Monday
This quick thinking activity encourages students to be creative and practice problem-solving in a fun, low-stakes way.
How It Works:
✔ Display the following scenario: ”You have $20. You go to the store and spend some of it. Now, you have $6 and 10 minutes to shop. What are you making for dinner?"
✔ Students take a minute or two to think before sharing their responses.
✔ Encourage them to be creative—but also realistic (Can they really buy steak for $6? 😆).
Why It Works:
✔ Encourages real-world thinking and decision-making.
✔ Gets students engaged in a lighthearted discussion.
✔ Allows for humorous and unexpected answers, making morning meetings more enjoyable.
Modification Ideas:
Pair Share: Have students discuss their ideas with a partner before sharing with the whole class.
Price Check Challenge: Display a grocery store flyer and have students look up actual food prices to see what they could afford.
Vote on the Best Meal: Let the class decide which meal idea sounds the most delicious (or the most ridiculous!).
Step 3: The Activity – Shrinking Boat
This fun, movement-based game is perfect for team-building and getting students engaged physically and socially.
How It Works:
✔ Designate a large space on the floor as the “boat.”
✔ Play music while students walk around the boat.
✔ When the music stops, everyone must get inside the boat.
✔ Each round, make the boat smaller (by reducing the space using cones, tape, or a rug).
✔ The challenge? Everyone must fit in the shrinking boat without pushing or pulling!
Why It Works:
✔ Encourages teamwork and strategic thinking.
✔ Helps students learn about personal space and boundaries.
✔ Gets students moving first thing in the morning, which can boost focus and energy.
Teacher Tip: Set clear ground rules before starting! No pushing, pulling, or forcing others into the space. This ensures that the game remains fun and safe for everyone.
Alternative Version:
If you have limited space, try the "Shrinking Circle" version where students stand in a circle and must gradually move closer together without stepping outside the boundaries.
Why This Morning Meeting Works So Well
This three-part morning meeting structure is a great way to build classroom community while keeping students engaged. Here's why it works so well:
✔ No prep required – You can implement this tomorrow!
✔ Fun without being awkward – Great for upper elementary and middle schoolers.
✔ Mixes movement, creativity, and discussion – Keeping students active and engaged.
✔ Encourages collaboration and social skills – Without forced participation.
Morning meetings don’t have to be overly structured or feel forced—sometimes, the best ones are the simplest!
Try This Morning Meeting in Your Classroom!
I hope this fun morning meeting idea helps you start your day on a positive note with your students.
💡 Want an easy way to implement this?
This full activity is available on my Teachers Pay Teachers store, complete with step-by-step instructions, slides, and variations!
Have you tried this in your classroom? Let me know how it goes!
