Morning Meeting Greetings

1. Morning MeetingMorning Meeting
Building a Classroom Community!Building a Classroom Community!
•GreetingGreeting
•SharingSharing
•ActivityActivity
•News and AnnouncementsNews and Announcements
http://www.originsonline.org

2. GreetingsGreetings
Don’t forget to make eye contact.Don’t forget to make eye contact.
Face the person you are talking to.Face the person you are talking to.
Speak clearly.Speak clearly.

3. ““Good morning, _________”Good morning, _________”

4. ““Good morning, _________. Good morning, _________.
How are you today?”How are you today?”
“Hi,___________, I’m “Hi,___________, I’m
___________. How are you?”___________. How are you?”

5. Different LanguagesDifferent Languages
Bonjour! (French)Bonjour! (French)
Shalom! (Hebrew)Shalom! (Hebrew)
Hola! (Spanish)Hola! (Spanish)

6. 1,2,3,4 Cheer1,2,3,4 Cheer
The group repeats the following chant as each person, The group repeats the following chant as each person,
one at a time, goes to the center of the circle and acts one at a time, goes to the center of the circle and acts
something out or dancing:something out or dancing:
"1,2,3,4"1,2,3,4
Come on ______ hit the floor. Come on ______ hit the floor.
(Student starts action.)(Student starts action.)
We’re so glad you’re here today,We’re so glad you’re here today,
Hurray! Hurray! Hurray!"Hurray! Hurray! Hurray!"
Each student doing an action should be back in his or Each student doing an action should be back in his or
her spot before the chant is finished so that the next her spot before the chant is finished so that the next
person can enter the circle. person can enter the circle.

7. A Little Known Fact A Little Known Fact
Have students think of a fact about Have students think of a fact about
themselves which many people may not themselves which many people may not
know. know.
Students introduce themselves. “Good Students introduce themselves. “Good
morning. My name is _____ and a little morning. My name is _____ and a little
known fact about me is _____________.”known fact about me is _____________.”
The group responds “Good morning, The group responds “Good morning,
(name) .”(name) .”
Continue around the circle until Continue around the circle until
everyone has been greeted.everyone has been greeted.

8. Action Name Game Action Name Game
One at a time, students greet the group One at a time, students greet the group
by saying “Hi, I’m by saying “Hi, I’m (action + name)(action + name).” The .” The
action must start with the same letter action must start with the same letter
as the student’s name. An example as the student’s name. An example
would be, “Hi, I’m Jumping Judy.” The would be, “Hi, I’m Jumping Judy.” The
student says her name and does the student says her name and does the
action at the same time. The class action at the same time. The class
responds with “Good Morning Jumping responds with “Good Morning Jumping
Judy,” including the action. Judy,” including the action.

9. Bean Bag Toss Bean Bag Toss
One person starts by tossing the bean bag to someone One person starts by tossing the bean bag to someone
after saying their name. The bean bag continues to get after saying their name. The bean bag continues to get
tossed around the circle, each time naming the student tossed around the circle, each time naming the student
to whom it is tossed. The students must remember who to whom it is tossed. The students must remember who
they tossed the bag to and who they received it from. they tossed the bag to and who they received it from.
After everyone has been called, the first round is After everyone has been called, the first round is
complete. Now the challenge is to continue the passing, complete. Now the challenge is to continue the passing,
duplicating the pattern of the first round. You can add duplicating the pattern of the first round. You can add
bean bags and have several going at one time. During bean bags and have several going at one time. During
the initial toss, if a student has received the bean bag, the initial toss, if a student has received the bean bag,
they must put their hands behind their back to help they must put their hands behind their back to help
signal who is remaining and so everyone can receive the signal who is remaining and so everyone can receive the
bean bag.bean bag.

10. Cheers 2-4-6-8! Cheers 2-4-6-8!
Here is a loud and rowdy greeting. Students stand in a Here is a loud and rowdy greeting. Students stand in a
circle and all together the group claps and chants, “2-4-circle and all together the group claps and chants, “2-4-
6-8! Who do we appreciate? Scott! Scott! 6-8! Who do we appreciate? Scott! Scott!
YEAAAAAAAAH – Scott!” As the group is chanting YEAAAAAAAAH – Scott!” As the group is chanting
“YEAAAAAAAAH,” Scott walks fast around the inside of “YEAAAAAAAAH,” Scott walks fast around the inside of
the circle giving everyone a high five. When Scott gets the circle giving everyone a high five. When Scott gets
back to his spot, the other players finish the chant by back to his spot, the other players finish the chant by
calling out his name and raising their arms high above calling out his name and raising their arms high above
their heads as in a cheer. Go around the circle the same their heads as in a cheer. Go around the circle the same
way until everyone has been “appreciated.” way until everyone has been “appreciated.”

11. Closed Eye GreetingClosed Eye Greeting
Players shut their eyes and the teacher Players shut their eyes and the teacher
chooses someone to begin. The player who is chooses someone to begin. The player who is
chosen opens his eyes and says “Good Morning chosen opens his eyes and says “Good Morning
____________,” to the player of his choice in the ____________,” to the player of his choice in the
circle. When the player being greeted hears her circle. When the player being greeted hears her
name, she opens her eyes, returns the greeting, name, she opens her eyes, returns the greeting,
and then greets someone else whose eyes are and then greets someone else whose eyes are
still closed. The greetings continue until still closed. The greetings continue until
everyone has been greeted. everyone has been greeted.

12. Crazy Walk Greeting Crazy Walk Greeting
How To Play: Each student thinks of a way to move How To Play: Each student thinks of a way to move
across the circle. They could crab walk, disco walk, across the circle. They could crab walk, disco walk,
skip, hop on one foot, walk on their knees, etc. Choose skip, hop on one foot, walk on their knees, etc. Choose
one person to begin the greeting. The person who starts one person to begin the greeting. The person who starts
will pick someone from across the circle that is the will pick someone from across the circle that is the
opposite gender to greet. The first person then does her opposite gender to greet. The first person then does her
crazy walk across the circle and greets the other person crazy walk across the circle and greets the other person
with a handshake, and then returns to her seat. The with a handshake, and then returns to her seat. The
greeting continues until everyone has been greeted.greeting continues until everyone has been greeted.

13. Electric Hug Electric Hug
Everyone holds hands in a circle. The Everyone holds hands in a circle. The
first player passes a squeeze to his first player passes a squeeze to his
neighbor. The neighbor then passes the neighbor. The neighbor then passes the
squeeze to her neighbor. The squeeze squeeze to her neighbor. The squeeze
continues around the circle until continues around the circle until
everyone has been greeted. The goal is everyone has been greeted. The goal is
to make the squeeze go quickly around to make the squeeze go quickly around
the circle.the circle.

14. Friday Greeting Friday Greeting
Group: "Hello, _____________ !Group: "Hello, _____________ !
The weekend is near!The weekend is near!
What are you going to do when it’s here?"What are you going to do when it’s here?"
Individual: "Hello, everyone! I’m going to ______________ !"Individual: "Hello, everyone! I’m going to ______________ !"
Group: "Got it! or Have fun!"Group: "Got it! or Have fun!"
Group greets the next person, and continues this Group greets the next person, and continues this
pattern around the circle until everyone has been pattern around the circle until everyone has been
greeted.greeted.

15. Funny Voices Funny Voices
The first person to start the greeting says, “My The first person to start the greeting says, “My
name is ___________ and I want you to greet me name is ___________ and I want you to greet me
in a ___________ voice.” The class then responds in a ___________ voice.” The class then responds
by saying in that voice “Good Morning by saying in that voice “Good Morning
_______________.” Some possibilities for different _______________.” Some possibilities for different
voices are: spooky, whisper, loud, soft, baby, voices are: spooky, whisper, loud, soft, baby,
tough guy, squeaky, sing song, etc.tough guy, squeaky, sing song, etc.

16. Hands Up! Hands Up!
This is a chanting and rhythm game. Once the rhythm is established, name a category and This is a chanting and rhythm game. Once the rhythm is established, name a category and
choose a player to begin the activity. The whole group begins the chant below, filling in the choose a player to begin the activity. The whole group begins the chant below, filling in the
name of the category in the fourth line. The last line names a player who then quickly names an name of the category in the fourth line. The last line names a player who then quickly names an
item in the category. If a player misses by repeating or taking more than a few seconds, the item in the category. If a player misses by repeating or taking more than a few seconds, the
activity starts over again with the chant naming the player who is next in the circle. The object activity starts over again with the chant naming the player who is next in the circle. The object
is to get all the way around the circle without a miss.is to get all the way around the circle without a miss.
Hands upHands up (clap,clap) (clap,clap)
For ’07For ’07 (clap, clap) (clap, clap)
Gonna nameGonna name (clap, clap) (clap, clap)
SomeSome name categoryname category(clap, clap)(clap, clap)
One apieceOne apiece (clap, clap) (clap, clap)
No repeatsNo repeats (clap, clap) (clap, clap)
No hesitationNo hesitation (clap, clap) (clap, clap)
No duplicationNo duplication (clap, clap) (clap, clap)
Starting withStarting with (clap, clap) (clap, clap) Player's namePlayer's name

17. Hello Neighbor Hello Neighbor
Students form an inner and an outer circle. The inside circle faces the Students form an inner and an outer circle. The inside circle faces the
outside circle. Students who are facing each other are now partners outside circle. Students who are facing each other are now partners
who greet each other with the following chant. At the end of the who greet each other with the following chant. At the end of the
chant, the inside circle then moves one person to the right. Now chant, the inside circle then moves one person to the right. Now
everyone has a new partner and repeats the chant. This continues everyone has a new partner and repeats the chant. This continues
until everyone is back in their original place.until everyone is back in their original place.
Hello ____, what d’ya say (wave to your partner)Hello ____, what d’ya say (wave to your partner)
It’s gonna be a beautiful day (arms circle over head and It’s gonna be a beautiful day (arms circle over head and
then move down to sides)then move down to sides)
Clap your hands and boogie on down. (clap hands and Clap your hands and boogie on down. (clap hands and
boogie down.)boogie down.)
Give me a jump and turn around. (jump and raise hands Give me a jump and turn around. (jump and raise hands
as you turn)as you turn)

18. Math Facts Greeting Math Facts Greeting
Prepare flashcards with math facts (+, -, /, x).Prepare flashcards with math facts (+, -, /, x).
Half of the cards should have number sentences (i.e., Half of the cards should have number sentences (i.e.,
1+1, 12*2, 20/5, 10-3)1+1, 12*2, 20/5, 10-3)
Half of the cards should have answers to the number Half of the cards should have answers to the number
sentences.sentences.
Hand out all cards to students.Hand out all cards to students.
Begin greeting by having one student expose their card.Begin greeting by having one student expose their card.
They will greet the person who has either the matching They will greet the person who has either the matching
number sentences or the answer. (i.e. 1st person’s card number sentences or the answer. (i.e. 1st person’s card
says 20/5; she greets the person with the card that has says 20/5; she greets the person with the card that has
“4” on it).“4” on it).

19. Hello Neighbor Hello Neighbor
Students form an inner and an outer circle. The inside circle faces the Students form an inner and an outer circle. The inside circle faces the
outside circle. Students who are facing each other are now partners outside circle. Students who are facing each other are now partners
who greet each other with the following chant. At the end of the who greet each other with the following chant. At the end of the
chant, the inside circle then moves one person to the right. Now chant, the inside circle then moves one person to the right. Now
everyone has a new partner and repeats the chant. This continues everyone has a new partner and repeats the chant. This continues
until everyone is back in their original place.until everyone is back in their original place.
Hello ____, what d’ya say (wave to your partner)Hello ____, what d’ya say (wave to your partner)
It’s gonna be a beautiful day (arms circle over head and It’s gonna be a beautiful day (arms circle over head and
then move down to sides)then move down to sides)
Clap your hands and boogie on down. (clap hands and Clap your hands and boogie on down. (clap hands and
boogie down.)boogie down.)
Give me a jump and turn around. (jump and raise hands Give me a jump and turn around. (jump and raise hands
as you turn)as you turn)

20.   Mrs. Mumble Mrs. Mumble
How to Play: Students are seated in a circle. How to Play: Students are seated in a circle.
Someone starts by asking a neighbor, “(Name), Someone starts by asking a neighbor, “(Name),
have you seen Mrs. Mumble?” But, players can’t have you seen Mrs. Mumble?” But, players can’t
show their teeth when asking. The neighbor show their teeth when asking. The neighbor
responds by saying, “No (Name) , I have not responds by saying, “No (Name) , I have not
seen Mrs. Mumble?” again without showing her seen Mrs. Mumble?” again without showing her
teeth. The first person then says, “OHHH!” and teeth. The first person then says, “OHHH!” and
asks the next person..."(Name), have you seen asks the next person..."(Name), have you seen
Mrs. Mumble?" This must go around the circle Mrs. Mumble?" This must go around the circle
without any players showing their teeth while without any players showing their teeth while
speaking. See speaking. See Mrs. MumbleMrs. Mumble, a children's book, , a children's book,
as a resource.as a resource.

21. Number Greeting Number Greeting
Put numbers on scraps of paper so that there are Put numbers on scraps of paper so that there are
doubles for each number and then place them in a doubles for each number and then place them in a
container. Each student pulls a number out from the container. Each student pulls a number out from the
container. Return the container to the center of the container. Return the container to the center of the
circle. The teacher calls out a number and the two circle. The teacher calls out a number and the two
students with that number get up and greet each other students with that number get up and greet each other
in the middle of the circle. The students place their in the middle of the circle. The students place their
numbers in the container in the middle of the circle.numbers in the container in the middle of the circle.
Decide before you start the greeting what type of Decide before you start the greeting what type of
greeting will be used, for example a handshake, a wave, greeting will be used, for example a handshake, a wave,
high five, etc. high five, etc.

22. One Minute Greeting One Minute Greeting
How To Play: Students move to the center of the circle How To Play: Students move to the center of the circle
and greet as many people as they can in one minute. and greet as many people as they can in one minute.
Remind students to follow the criteria for greetings (eye Remind students to follow the criteria for greetings (eye
contact, saying the person’s name, friendly voice, etc.). contact, saying the person’s name, friendly voice, etc.).
This greeting is great for when you are planning a longer This greeting is great for when you are planning a longer
activity.activity.

23. Round the Circle Hello Round the Circle Hello
As students are standing in a circle, chose one student As students are standing in a circle, chose one student
to be the first greeter. The greeter walks (or another to be the first greeter. The greeter walks (or another
previously determined movement, such as hopping, previously determined movement, such as hopping,
skipping, tip-toeing, etc.) clockwise around the outside skipping, tip-toeing, etc.) clockwise around the outside
of the circle, chooses a student by tapping her on the of the circle, chooses a student by tapping her on the
shoulder, and then continues around the circle. The shoulder, and then continues around the circle. The
tapped student leaves her spot and travels, using the tapped student leaves her spot and travels, using the
agreed upon movement, counterclockwise around the agreed upon movement, counterclockwise around the
outside of the circle. When the two students meet, they outside of the circle. When the two students meet, they
stop and greet each other (using a previously selected stop and greet each other (using a previously selected
greeting—handshake, high 5, bow, Howdy, greet in a greeting—handshake, high 5, bow, Howdy, greet in a
different language, etc.). The student who was tapped different language, etc.). The student who was tapped
now becomes the greeter and the other student returns now becomes the greeter and the other student returns
to his seat. This continues until everyone has been to his seat. This continues until everyone has been
greeted.greeted.

24. Silent Greeting Silent Greeting
Teach appropriate ways to greet one another Teach appropriate ways to greet one another
when we can’t use words. (For example, we can when we can’t use words. (For example, we can
nod heads, smile, eye contact, etc.)nod heads, smile, eye contact, etc.)
Give examples of times when we would use a Give examples of times when we would use a
silent greeting. (For example, the teacher is in silent greeting. (For example, the teacher is in
the middle of a lesson and our friend returns the middle of a lesson and our friend returns
from a small group. We see a friend and he is in from a small group. We see a friend and he is in
a conversation with someone else and we don’t a conversation with someone else and we don’t
want to interrupt, etc.)want to interrupt, etc.)
Greeting: Have students go around the circle, Greeting: Have students go around the circle,
one partnership at a time, greeting each other one partnership at a time, greeting each other
silently.silently.

25. Snowball FightSnowball Fight
Materials: Piece of paper and pencil for each student, Materials: Piece of paper and pencil for each student,
container for the snowballscontainer for the snowballs
How To Play: Before the start of morning meeting, all How To Play: Before the start of morning meeting, all
students write down their names on a sheet of paper students write down their names on a sheet of paper
and crumples it to look like a snowball. Set a timer for and crumples it to look like a snowball. Set a timer for
one minute and everybody throws the snowballs for the one minute and everybody throws the snowballs for the
duration of the minute. When the timer rings, each duration of the minute. When the timer rings, each
person finds a snowball and returns to the circle. person finds a snowball and returns to the circle.
Moving around the circle, students stand up, cross the Moving around the circle, students stand up, cross the
circle and greet the person named in their snowball. On circle and greet the person named in their snowball. On
the way back, they return the snowball to a container in the way back, they return the snowball to a container in
the middle of the circle. the middle of the circle.

26. Ta da! Greeting Ta da! Greeting
Students pick someone across the Students pick someone across the
circle to greet. One at a time, students circle to greet. One at a time, students
pass a greeting and say the selected pass a greeting and say the selected
student’s name (for example, “Good day student’s name (for example, “Good day
to you, Joshua.”). The people on either to you, Joshua.”). The people on either
side of the greeted student say his side of the greeted student say his
name and do a “ta da” action. The name and do a “ta da” action. The
greeting continues to get passed until greeting continues to get passed until
all have been greeted.all have been greeted.