The Rookery

Every morning, the Herons get together for a 15 minute "reunion" (spanish for "meeting.")  It's lead by a different student each day but follows the same format – students welcome each other, share announcements, make short shares (5 words, no questions), long shares (questions allowed) and then play a game if there's time.

Some days, like today, something in the morning message sparks a conversation with lots of comments and questions.  Today, the message had a paragraph about Libya and the Herons wanted to know about Libyan history ("How did Qadaffi become leader?"), the nature of revolutions ("It seems like there are a lot of countries in Africa having protests now…are they all related?"), and governments in general ("Why isn't there like a single world king?  Maybe he'd have to speak all of the languages?")

Often, students do a short share about a recurring theme — their pet's wake up kisses, a toddler brother's antics, a silly dream, rabid squirrels or, for a while, a black glove with its own personality.  These shares serve as inside jokes that we can all get.  Longer shares are an opportunity for us to learn more deeply about each other.  The game is another chance to be silly together.  For a long time, I didn't understand the importance of silliness in a classroom (although I've always been fine with it).  In recent years, I've realized that a group who can be silly during a morning meeting game is also willing to take risks and try out new ideas together during a math discussion.  We need to be able to let our guards down as learners and laughing together is the first step.

A good morning meeting feels a little like a good dinner party.  You're learning about the world and each other, with a few good laughs thrown in a long the way.  Of course, the morning meeting has more reminders that only one person should talk at a time.