Claire Hentges

We all want to belong, right? A strong community of learners promotes friendship, accountability, curiosity, openness, risk-taking, and so much more! A robust and healthy classroom community takes work; simply put, it does not happen overnight. As educators, we focus on building these vibrant learning communities from day one. 

Classroom meetings are an essential part of building a strong classroom community. Intentional morning meetings allow students to be vulnerable and honest about things orbiting their lives. Our morning meeting consists of the following: Fun Fact of the Day, Joke or Puzzle of the Day, Think About It, Poll of the Day, and Share Out. It is always a fun ride! A mentor once told me that, “building a strong classroom community is the secret sauce to a successful school year.” Once a sense of belonging is established among students, wonderful things can happen!