{"id":241,"date":"2026-04-11T21:02:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T21:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/schoolagecurriculum\/?post_type=back-matter&p=241"},"modified":"2026-06-03T21:17:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T21:17:51","slug":"social-emotional-activities","status":"publish","type":"back-matter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/schoolagecurriculum\/back-matter\/social-emotional-activities\/","title":{"raw":"Social Emotional Activities","rendered":"Social Emotional Activities"},"content":{"raw":"

Mock Morning Meeting<\/h2>\r\nYou will be assigned a group to lead one section of the Morning Meeting: Greeting, Sharing, Activity, and Schedule Review.\u00a0 Here is what you need to prepare for each section:\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Greeting<\/strong>: choose a way for students to greet each other. There are a variety of examples below for your review.\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • Have an idea of what each greeting might look like.\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • Greeting race:\u00a0Students try to greet each other one by one as fast as they can.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Compliment chain:\u00a0Students greet each other with genuine compliments.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Book club:\u00a0Students share interesting facts about a book they\u2019re reading or have read.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Ball toss:\u00a0Students greet and toss a ball to each other across the circle.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • One-minute greeting:\u00a0Students greet as many others as they can in one minute.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Learn it<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Be ready to explain it to the whole group.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Sharing<\/strong>: Create a talking stick with an item you can find in class or outside.\r\n
          \r\n \t
        • Choose a question prompt to get everyone started.<\/li>\r\n \t
        • Depending on the age group you are working with, consider how to involve all students daily and\/or weekly.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
        • Activity<\/strong>: The topic of the day is [Weather].\r\n
            \r\n \t
          • Find a simple game, poem, song, or movement activity to get students excited about the topic.<\/li>\r\n \t
          • Learn it and be ready to explain it to the group.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
          • Schedule Review<\/strong>: Create a visual schedule with Morning Meeting, ELA, Math, Lunch\/Recess, PE, Social Studies and Science.\r\n
              \r\n \t
            • Next to the time and subject, add a visual symbol for English Learners or Emergent Readers.<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Add a way to mark off each item on the schedule when subjects are completed.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n
              \r\n

              Examples<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

              \r\n

              Greeting children warmly upon arrival helps create a sense of belonging, builds relationships, and sets a positive tone for the day. Offering children a choice in how they are greeted can also support autonomy and engagement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

              Verbal Greetings<\/h3>\r\n
                \r\n \t
              • Good morning, [child's name]!<\/li>\r\n \t
              • I'm happy to see you today.<\/li>\r\n \t
              • Welcome back!<\/li>\r\n \t
              • How are you feeling this morning?<\/li>\r\n \t
              • I'm glad you're here.<\/li>\r\n \t
              • What are you excited about today?<\/li>\r\n \t
              • Did anything special happen before school?<\/li>\r\n \t
              • Thank you for joining us today.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                Choice Board Greetings<\/h3>\r\n

                Invite children to choose their greeting:<\/p>\r\n\r\n

                  \r\n \t
                • High five<\/li>\r\n \t
                • Fist bump<\/li>\r\n \t
                • Handshake<\/li>\r\n \t
                • Wave<\/li>\r\n \t
                • Elbow bump<\/li>\r\n \t
                • Air high five<\/li>\r\n \t
                • Smile and wave<\/li>\r\n \t
                • Dance move<\/li>\r\n \t
                • Thumbs up<\/li>\r\n \t
                • Heart hands<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                  Playful Greetings<\/h3>\r\n
                    \r\n \t
                  • Animal sound greeting (\"Can you greet me like a lion?\")<\/li>\r\n \t
                  • Silly face greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                  • Superhero greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                  • Robot greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                  • Pirate greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                  • Princess or prince greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                  • Dinosaur greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                  • Favorite character greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                  • Magic wand greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                  • Secret agent greeting<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                    Social-Emotional Check-In Greetings<\/h3>\r\n
                      \r\n \t
                    • Point to a feelings chart that matches your mood.<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • Choose a color that represents how you're feeling.<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • Share one word about your morning.<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • Give a thumbs up, sideways, or down for how your day is starting.<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • Place your name card under a feeling emoji.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                      Movement-Based Greetings<\/h3>\r\n
                        \r\n \t
                      • Jump and greet<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • Spin once and say hello<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • Stretch and greet<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • Yoga pose greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • March into the classroom<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • Hop like a bunny<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • Tiptoe greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • Dance entrance<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • Skip to the teacher<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • Freeze pose greeting<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                        Cultural and Community-Building Greetings<\/h3>\r\n
                          \r\n \t
                        • Say hello in different languages:\r\n
                            \r\n \t
                          • Hello<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • Hola<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • Bonjour<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • Ciao<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • Ni hao<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • Aloha<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • Bue\u00f1os d\u00edaz<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • Morning circle greeting where each child is welcomed by name.<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • Family photo greeting board where children point to their family photo upon arrival.<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • Classroom community chant or song.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                            Nonverbal Greetings (for children who may not wish to speak)<\/h3>\r\n
                              \r\n \t
                            • Smile<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • Wave<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • Nod<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • Peace sign<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • Hand on heart<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • Thumbs up<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • High five<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • Secret handshake<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • Eye contact and smile<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • Sign language greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • Choose a greeting card with a picture<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • Place a name tag on an arrival board<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                              Special Arrival Rituals<\/h3>\r\n
                                \r\n \t
                              • Sign-in station<\/li>\r\n \t
                              • Question of the day<\/li>\r\n \t
                              • Attendance helper greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                              • Classroom mascot greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                              • Welcome song<\/li>\r\n \t
                              • Morning message response<\/li>\r\n \t
                              • \"Tell me one thing\" sharing opportunity<\/li>\r\n \t
                              • Classroom job selection<\/li>\r\n \t
                              • Book basket greeting<\/li>\r\n \t
                              • Nature observation greeting (\"What do you notice outside today?\")<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                                Rotating greeting options weekly can keep arrival routines fresh while helping children develop social skills, communication, and a strong sense of classroom community.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

                                \r\n\r\n

                                Reference<\/h2>\r\n
                                  \r\n \t
                                1. Maro\u00f1o, A. and Hickey, D. (2025). 35 morning meeting greetings for elementary students. https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Morning-Meeting-Greetings<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","rendered":"

                                  Mock Morning Meeting<\/h2>\n

                                  You will be assigned a group to lead one section of the Morning Meeting: Greeting, Sharing, Activity, and Schedule Review.\u00a0 Here is what you need to prepare for each section:<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  1. Greeting<\/strong>: choose a way for students to greet each other. There are a variety of examples below for your review.\n
                                      \n
                                    • Have an idea of what each greeting might look like.\n
                                        \n
                                      • Greeting race:\u00a0Students try to greet each other one by one as fast as they can.<\/li>\n
                                      • Compliment chain:\u00a0Students greet each other with genuine compliments.<\/li>\n
                                      • Book club:\u00a0Students share interesting facts about a book they\u2019re reading or have read.<\/li>\n
                                      • Ball toss:\u00a0Students greet and toss a ball to each other across the circle.<\/li>\n
                                      • One-minute greeting:\u00a0Students greet as many others as they can in one minute.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                      • Learn it<\/li>\n
                                      • Be ready to explain it to the whole group.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                      • Sharing<\/strong>: Create a talking stick with an item you can find in class or outside.\n
                                          \n
                                        • Choose a question prompt to get everyone started.<\/li>\n
                                        • Depending on the age group you are working with, consider how to involve all students daily and\/or weekly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                        • Activity<\/strong>: The topic of the day is [Weather].\n
                                            \n
                                          • Find a simple game, poem, song, or movement activity to get students excited about the topic.<\/li>\n
                                          • Learn it and be ready to explain it to the group.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                          • Schedule Review<\/strong>: Create a visual schedule with Morning Meeting, ELA, Math, Lunch\/Recess, PE, Social Studies and Science.\n
                                              \n
                                            • Next to the time and subject, add a visual symbol for English Learners or Emergent Readers.<\/li>\n
                                            • Add a way to mark off each item on the schedule when subjects are completed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                              \n
                                              \n

                                              Examples<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

                                              \n

                                              Greeting children warmly upon arrival helps create a sense of belonging, builds relationships, and sets a positive tone for the day. Offering children a choice in how they are greeted can also support autonomy and engagement.<\/p>\n

                                              Verbal Greetings<\/h3>\n
                                                \n
                                              • Good morning, [child’s name]!<\/li>\n
                                              • I’m happy to see you today.<\/li>\n
                                              • Welcome back!<\/li>\n
                                              • How are you feeling this morning?<\/li>\n
                                              • I’m glad you’re here.<\/li>\n
                                              • What are you excited about today?<\/li>\n
                                              • Did anything special happen before school?<\/li>\n
                                              • Thank you for joining us today.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                Choice Board Greetings<\/h3>\n

                                                Invite children to choose their greeting:<\/p>\n

                                                  \n
                                                • High five<\/li>\n
                                                • Fist bump<\/li>\n
                                                • Handshake<\/li>\n
                                                • Wave<\/li>\n
                                                • Elbow bump<\/li>\n
                                                • Air high five<\/li>\n
                                                • Smile and wave<\/li>\n
                                                • Dance move<\/li>\n
                                                • Thumbs up<\/li>\n
                                                • Heart hands<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                  Playful Greetings<\/h3>\n
                                                    \n
                                                  • Animal sound greeting (“Can you greet me like a lion?”)<\/li>\n
                                                  • Silly face greeting<\/li>\n
                                                  • Superhero greeting<\/li>\n
                                                  • Robot greeting<\/li>\n
                                                  • Pirate greeting<\/li>\n
                                                  • Princess or prince greeting<\/li>\n
                                                  • Dinosaur greeting<\/li>\n
                                                  • Favorite character greeting<\/li>\n
                                                  • Magic wand greeting<\/li>\n
                                                  • Secret agent greeting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                    Social-Emotional Check-In Greetings<\/h3>\n
                                                      \n
                                                    • Point to a feelings chart that matches your mood.<\/li>\n
                                                    • Choose a color that represents how you’re feeling.<\/li>\n
                                                    • Share one word about your morning.<\/li>\n
                                                    • Give a thumbs up, sideways, or down for how your day is starting.<\/li>\n
                                                    • Place your name card under a feeling emoji.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                      Movement-Based Greetings<\/h3>\n
                                                        \n
                                                      • Jump and greet<\/li>\n
                                                      • Spin once and say hello<\/li>\n
                                                      • Stretch and greet<\/li>\n
                                                      • Yoga pose greeting<\/li>\n
                                                      • March into the classroom<\/li>\n
                                                      • Hop like a bunny<\/li>\n
                                                      • Tiptoe greeting<\/li>\n
                                                      • Dance entrance<\/li>\n
                                                      • Skip to the teacher<\/li>\n
                                                      • Freeze pose greeting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                        Cultural and Community-Building Greetings<\/h3>\n
                                                          \n
                                                        • Say hello in different languages:\n
                                                            \n
                                                          • Hello<\/li>\n
                                                          • Hola<\/li>\n
                                                          • Bonjour<\/li>\n
                                                          • Ciao<\/li>\n
                                                          • Ni hao<\/li>\n
                                                          • Aloha<\/li>\n
                                                          • Bue\u00f1os d\u00edaz<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                                          • Morning circle greeting where each child is welcomed by name.<\/li>\n
                                                          • Family photo greeting board where children point to their family photo upon arrival.<\/li>\n
                                                          • Classroom community chant or song.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                            Nonverbal Greetings (for children who may not wish to speak)<\/h3>\n
                                                              \n
                                                            • Smile<\/li>\n
                                                            • Wave<\/li>\n
                                                            • Nod<\/li>\n
                                                            • Peace sign<\/li>\n
                                                            • Hand on heart<\/li>\n
                                                            • Thumbs up<\/li>\n
                                                            • High five<\/li>\n
                                                            • Secret handshake<\/li>\n
                                                            • Eye contact and smile<\/li>\n
                                                            • Sign language greeting<\/li>\n
                                                            • Choose a greeting card with a picture<\/li>\n
                                                            • Place a name tag on an arrival board<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                              Special Arrival Rituals<\/h3>\n
                                                                \n
                                                              • Sign-in station<\/li>\n
                                                              • Question of the day<\/li>\n
                                                              • Attendance helper greeting<\/li>\n
                                                              • Classroom mascot greeting<\/li>\n
                                                              • Welcome song<\/li>\n
                                                              • Morning message response<\/li>\n
                                                              • “Tell me one thing” sharing opportunity<\/li>\n
                                                              • Classroom job selection<\/li>\n
                                                              • Book basket greeting<\/li>\n
                                                              • Nature observation greeting (“What do you notice outside today?”)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                Rotating greeting options weekly can keep arrival routines fresh while helping children develop social skills, communication, and a strong sense of classroom community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

                                                                \n

                                                                Reference<\/h2>\n
                                                                  \n
                                                                1. Maro\u00f1o, A. and Hickey, D. (2025). 35 morning meeting greetings for elementary students. https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Morning-Meeting-Greetings<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"menu_order":10,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"Morning Meeting","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":"cc-by-nc-sa"},"back-matter-type":[27],"contributor":[],"license":[57],"class_list":["post-241","back-matter","type-back-matter","status-publish","hentry","back-matter-type-appendix","license-cc-by-nc-sa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/schoolagecurriculum\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/back-matter\/241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/schoolagecurriculum\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/back-matter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/schoolagecurriculum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/back-matter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/schoolagecurriculum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/schoolagecurriculum\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/back-matter\/241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":439,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/schoolagecurriculum\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/back-matter\/241\/revisions\/439"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/schoolagecurriculum\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/back-matter\/241\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/schoolagecurriculum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"back-matter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/schoolagecurriculum\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/back-matter-type?post=241"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/schoolagecurriculum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=241"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/schoolagecurriculum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}